Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Cary Audio Design SLP88 Preamplifier (Tube) by navman

Model:	SLP88
Category:	Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2000
Description:	Class A Single-Ended
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design
Model Picture:	View

Review by navman ( A ) on August 27, 2003 at 18:59:00
IP Address: 24.117.213.92

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for the SLP88

I just purchased the Cary SLP88. It is not broken in fully, and hence that has to be taken into account.
This is a heavy preamp compared to others I am familiar with (Marsh p2000, Audio Note M-Zero, Bottlehead Foreplay, ARC LS7). Ugly box. While nothing fancy I kind of like its look. It seems to look like it means business. Big big volume control, and smaller heavy switches for component selection, tape monitor, head phone on off switch (and the headphone output is tube powered).It comes with a small, simple (volume and mute) remote. Also included was a flimsy power cord.
This preamp can be upgraded to higher grade caps by Cary if requested. Mines is the base preamp.
Hooked it up to my Mcintosh 202, and fed with Sony SCD 333ES into B&W603S2 (I need to upgrade these speakers).
This has room filling sound. Very detailed. Life sized aural images. No fatigue factor. The metallic hardness, or compression, or high frequency grain is absent. The 3D imaging is a bit flat. Maybe it needs break in but also a tube swap may cure that (in future).
The only other preamps that hooked me straight away were the ARCLS7 and the Bottlehead Foreplay. The sound of the Cary reminds me of the Rogue 99 magnum I heard a year or so ago, but then again, memory may be distorting things for me.
I will write a proper followup when I have heard it more.

Product Weakness: Blue LEDs on front
Flimsy power cord.
Product Strengths: Non fatigue factor.
Life size images.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	McIntosh MC202
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	as above
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony SCD333Es
Speakers:	B&W 603 S2
Cables/Interconnects:	monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	rock/blues
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Blue LEDs on front Flimsy power cord.
Product Strengths:	Non fatigue factor. Life size images.