Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Canary Audio CA-608 Amplifier (Tube) by AndrewM2

Model:	CA-608
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$ unknown
Description:	Ultra Linear Integrated
Manufacturer URL:	Canary Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Canary Audio

Review by AndrewM2 ( A ) on March 16, 2004 at 10:01:05
IP Address: 62.59.216.212

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for the CA-608

I was new to the valve/tube way of things but, after much deliberation, I decided to take the plunge into the world of â€˜little glowing bottlesâ€™. So time to say goodbye to my Cyrus Pre and Power + 2x PSX-R setup that had served my faultlessly for 4 years. Mainly this was because they sounded a little dry with my crossover-less Reference 3a speakers, which I had had for a few years but love too much to be rid of. I have nothing against the Cyrus setup- it packed plenty of go and had fine grip of the speakers- but the sound was a little too clean and un-involving.
Initially I got around a few local dealers but most of what I heard that I could afford didn't get me going and what did was simply too expensive.
However, I read in the HiFi+ magazine about the Canary CA-608 LVBP modified by Living Voice in the UK. The editor was all excited about it and, with the Border Patrol Power Supply (hence the 4 letter acronym), it was awarded the HiFi+ Product of the Year and Editors Choice Award. Anyway, having bought some tweaks based on their previous enthusiastic reviews that were as good as they said, I phoned up Living Voice to find out more.
The boss man eloquently described the modified Canary CA 608 as a "glorious thing" and we spent the next hour talking about it. Actually he talked and I listened. But enthusiastic, he was, and love it, he did.
He happened to have a demo model available with the smaller of the two Border Patrol power supplies, all of which was offered at too good of a to price to say no to. So I did the unbelievable and bought it based purely on a magazine review, an award and an enthusiastic dealer/ modifier. No listening required thanks very much.
It was put on a courier along with a Chord DAC64 which I also happened to buy without hearing. No, in case you are wondering, I am not mad, at least not certifiably so.
Anyway, once the amp arrived I did what any self respecting boy with a new toy would do and took the lid off.
Inside changes to the standard CA-608 model include an ELMA gas evacuated input selector, TKD stepped attenuator and Hovland MusiCaps. Didn't mean much to me then and doesnâ€™t mean that much more to me now either, but I love music not electrical circuits, so thatâ€™s the end of the tech talk. Except for valves- it was delivered with Svetlana EL34â€™s- but more on these later.
Anyway, reassembled, I plugged everything in, turned it on, turned it up, and sat back and listened. Well, what delight!
Despite a fairly modest power rating and fairly low volume setting, the room was filled with glorious music. The sound was nicely weighty without being overblown, certainly not slow- but fast and articulated- the bass lines were fairly rolling out of the speakers. The drum and bass clearly distinguishable from each other and very rhythmic. The top of the highs were nice without getting me too excited, but then my speakers are a good 10 years old, so hardly pack the last word in tweeter technology. As for the mid range, it was as sweet as a nut. Voices carry lovely timbre and shimmer that almost make them sound real, as do wood and brass instruments. Here the Reference 3aâ€™s play a nicely positive roll helping the mid range in its liquidity. The soundstage is deep front to back without being massively expansive left to right. But then my left hand wall is within a meter of the left speaker, so this may be different in another room.
Compared with the Cyrus the sound of the Canary was certainly more liquid and involving but, most surprisingly, the sound was bigger and more powerful, despite significantly less power. The Cyrus Power with the PSX-R delivers a solid 60watts at 8 ohms versus 25 watts from the Canary. This is noticeable once the volume gets up a little, but at normal, non-ear splitting levels the Canary had much more balls, go and grip. Great! I was one happy lad.
I tried the amp with and without the Chord DAC 64, and while this dac does make a very pleasing and enjoyable sound, the amp with my trusty old Sony 777 es on its own (from circa 1993), still sounds pretty fine indeed.
Impressively, the musicians and music sounds all of a whole- like everyone was in the same room, playing the same music, at the same time- even if in reality they were not. Real music versus hi-fi sound, and that was what I wanted.
Oddly, (or not) my music taste has changed somewhat since the Canary came to town. Out goes anything sort of electro, compressed and over produced (read commercial) - in comes anything acoustic, dynamic and real (read good). And yes there is a big difference. If anyone knows a musician called Cary Sweeny and his album Martha and then when I say that this album has become one of my desert island discs will appreciate this statement. Especially when as a rule country music drives me nuts! â€œGive me real drums and real guitars!â€ a friend of mine would often holler, usually after a beer or three too many. And so it is with the Canary.
Anyway, four months on and a little grey cloud appears on an otherwise blue day. I happened to be looking in and saw a very glowing resistor. I switched off the amp and called up Living Voice. The explanation- â€œEL34â€™s have a happy habit of dying and if it does go, possibly expect a small explosion. So donâ€™t use it until you get the new valves that we are sending.â€ Thus, a week without music (what pain) and 4 new valves arrived. Goodbye Svetlana, hello Ei Big Bottles, saving the good matched pair of Svetlanas for posterity. Now I canâ€™t say that I am that happy with the Eiâ€™s - the mid range has become a little pinched sounding, sort as if the vocalists have pegs on their noses and the bass is now a little phat [sic] for my tastes, lacking some of that liquid rhythm that I was so pleased with. Anyway back on the phone, a quick chat and a matched pair of Svetlanas are on their way and once they arrive I can resume my course of bliss
Many nights has the music flowed while I have sat back and smiling to myself and thinking what a lucky chap I am to have such a lovely thing at my disposal.
But hereâ€™s the best bit- an amp that I often find my girlfriend playing too. Now that is a benefit many listeners would be interested in, and possibly the highest practical recommendation any hi-fi equipment could receive!

Product Weakness: Not a lot of power, but enough with efficent speakers in a small/medium room. I have to get up to turn it down.
Product Strengths: Musicality, timing, easy power (inside a modest limit), sweet mid range.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Canary CA608 LVBP
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony 777 and Chord DAC 64
Speakers:	Reference 3a Master Control, 8ohm, 92db
Cables/Interconnects:	Chord Company Signature Interconnects & Coax Digital
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Real Music
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 months
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not a lot of power, but enough with efficent speakers in a small/medium room. I have to get up to turn it down.
Product Strengths:	Musicality, timing, easy power (inside a modest limit), sweet mid range.