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Amp recommendation: Cary SS vs. McCormack vs. Ayre

I am building a system with a limited budget. I have some Sehring 703 speakers (86db sensitivity at 8 ohms) and a Manley Shrimp preamp on the way. I have limited space in my A/V cabinet, so do not have room for a tube amp. But I am looking for something that when paired with the Manley Shrimp will have a tube-like sound.

My budget is max $1,600. These are the three amps I am considering.

1. McCormack 125 -- the 500 gets good reviews, so this probably sounds pretty good as well (right?)
2. Ayre V3 -- also gets good reviews. Only concern is that it has been out of production for a long time and if it breaks it won't be serviceable.
3. Cary A-2 -- Cary has a very good reputation for their tube amps, but I can't find much on their "lower-end" solid state 2-channel amps.

Any thoughts/recommendations would be much appreciated.
mcondon
wireless200
415 posts
 
I'm going back over there tomorrow or the next day. I'll try to remember to ask about the concept series.
wireless200
415 posts
 
I was over there today. We were taking a look at something else and when I asked the service guy, he was pretty clueless about the Concept series. He's just not that familiar with some of the product line. I would have like something more definitive but I guess they depend on the sales outlets for that. I'd like to hear more Cary stuff. I know their CDP sounds great and the 120S tube amp I have sounds quite good. I'm wondering how the SS stuff sounds.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,481 posts
 
I have a RLD 1 and DNA 125 driving PSB M2 Platinums and it's an awesome combo. The M2s are a 4 Ohm speaker and the DNA 125 doesn't even break a sweat.
steidlguitars
90 posts
 
Wireless, thanks for getting back. Being clueless about an entire line within your company seems funny to me! Given the market growth of class D amps, I can't imagine Cary dumping that line. We shall see.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Wireless, my CAD 500 MB is the best amp I have owned period. I tried over 15 other amps with Maggies (and some other speakers as well) over the past 4 yrs and only the Innersound's (now Sanders Sound) were even close, and I like these better. Best sounding amps I have had in my system.

I am thinking about bi-amping with the CAD 120 for the highs/mid, but can't decide on which active crossover.

Good luck.
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