Joey V, Sorry, I haven't checked this thread in a while. I'm also using NOS Sylvanias in my SLP-98. Made a nice improvement. The Chinese tubes were a bit brittle sounding. The sylvanias, smooth and warm. I hope you are enjoying yours. The 98 makes MUSIC. T'was a good purchase.
Nice preamp Sburton! I have the same one, actually in red and not an F1 unit... but I did upgrade the tubes to NOS Sylvanias and it brought me even bigger smiles! Are yours stock Chinese tubes or NOS?
Artg, Thanks! Glad you are getting back in. You're right about the Sixpacs being "fleshed out." I really like them. I hope you like the SLI80. They are very popular. Oh man... the new Berning is bound to be a sensation. Wish I could scrape up the dough... :)
Looks great! I am not surprised to hear you're loving the F1 Cary preamp. As I know, the Berning is accurate, dynamic and vice-like in controlling bass, buy nobody would accuse it of tonal richness....The Merlin's are also very precise, so in that setting the slightly warmer, more tonally fleshed out Cary sounds like a winner!
I myself have been out of audio for the past year, having sold off my Nagra tubed separates in favor of a much cheaper and simpler Rowland SS integrated, but not for long. I sold the Rowland, an I'm thinking about the upcoming Berning gear, but to get me through the wait I just ordered the Cary SLI80 'F1' from Kevin Deal. Im thinking it will involve me more than the Rowland, which sounded "nice" for a SS deal, but left me wanting....
Albert, Thanks. The Calypso is a fine pre, no doubt. I think it boils down to system synergy and listening priorities when it comes to choosing between the Caylpso and the Cary F1. The standard (non F1) pre-amp really softens the transients of instruments such as snare drums. I did not care for it, but it may be a nice match for certain amps that need a little softening. The thing that really hooked me on the F1 was the soundstage. It's huge! Lot's of depth, width, and height. I have the direct coupled version of the F1 which lets the transients come through. However, to get the best out of it took some tube rolling. The highs are very smooth. Bass is firm. So far, the F1 is a keeper but I have not yet tried one of Jud Barber's new LA-150s without the "super tubes". Yikes! :) Steve
Aball, I compared the Prima to the new Cary 303/300 for almost a month. I swapped them in and out of my system many times. I tried 2 pair of NOS tubes in the Cary as well but could not get past a bit of glare I noticed on piano. With the Prima there was no such glare and it was a bit smoother to boot. That said, they are both great sounding CD players. Both the Prima and the Cary were way better than the older Ultech. Steve
Great looking system, as everyone else has said, very clean and well organized.
I've been reading comments about your preamp trial. The Cary must be a really nice preamp to displace the Calypso. I understand your description completely and wonder if I might not prefer the Cary in your system too.
I admire the fact you're experimenting, that's the only way to find out what works for you.
Hey - I have the same Prima. Have you compared it to any other CDPs besides the Ultech? I am curious as to how it compares with the Prima mk3. I am in no rush to get rid of mine, just curious.
Ron, Sorry it took me so long to respond. The F1 is a hot rod version of the SLP-98. It's offered through Upscale Audio. It has many upgraded parts such as hexfreds in the power supply, oil caps, direct coupling, Kimber wiring, etc.. It sounds great in my system.
Gmele, I LOVE the SLP-98L F1. It sounded great right out of the box and is getting better with time. I have 48 hours on it so far. It is VERY involving. By that, I mean it has absolutely no listner fatigue, huge soundstage bloom, and timbral accuracy. Imaging is precise. With cellos and violin passages you hear more vibration of the wood, not just the strings. Compared to the Calypso the Cary has a larger soundstage and instruments are more 3d with realistic weight. The Calypso is an excellent pre-amp, no-doubt, but IMO it lacks the involving musicality of the Cary. The Cary has a more organic sound, the Calypso a more neutral/analytical sound. For me, my system, and listening priorities, the Cary is a welcomed addition. It's got tube magic. I got the direct coupled version which gives you a bit more attack on transients. I found the non-direct coupled (stock) SLP-98 a bit too soft for me on drum kit transients. I'll be able to give you a more precise assessment after I get another 50-100 hours on it.
How do you like your Cary SLP-98L F1 vs. the Aesthetix Calypso pre-amp? I've been thinking about upgrading mine and those are both on my short list along with a Audio Research REF 2. Best-Gary
SBurton - You absolutely, positively without a doubt should really seriously get the wiring upgrade. It is a PROFOUND improvement. Was that clear enough an endorsement? Seriously, it is smoother, more involving and delivers music with effortless ease. Really special It is worth every last penny yo get it done. Trust me :>)
i would audition the GR before buying. i had them once, and ended up returning them. Maybe it was my room (which is live), but to my ear tey sounded somewhat forward and a bit strident, but layered soundstage and imaged nicely.
Of cource that was with different amplification (SS gear), and i had not yet placedthe echobusters in the corners, and maybe i didnt let them break in enough..... anyway, i liked the Audience as much (or better), and they didnt cost nearly asmuch as the GR. George cardas will tell you that unless everything else (including room) is perfect, that his Golden Cross is a more suitable choce..... anyway, its still very good, but you shoud listen before plunking down that kind of $$.
I wont even tell you about the Stereovox's, that would be kind of mean:) I think they were worth every penny (and i spent plenty of pennies on them!)
Hi Artg, Thanks. You're right about the cables. I hope to add some Cardas GR bi-wires when finances permit. Alan B. really likes the Stereovox wires. Has Bobby P ever commented on them? The sound does seem to be getting clearer and richer as the hours mount. I will post a review when I feel they and the Berning are completely settled. As for the ZH270, the cryo'd tubes came about a month after I recieved the amp so I need to put more hours on the new tubes. The ZH270 now comes standard with the cryo'd tubes and cap upgrades, but the silver wire is an option (which I did not get). The ERS paper is not standard either. Alan says some folks don't like the effects of the ERS treatment. I plan to purchase some and experiment. I may get the silver wire mod at some point. Please post your impressions when you get the upgrades.
Hi. Very nice. Before upgrading the CDP, I would also look at speaker cables. Not that the Vampires aren't good, but I think you'd get real improvement from trying some new speaker cables. Audience makes a very nice AU24 which is very affordable. Cardas + berning/Merlin is also well regarded. Of course if cost is no object, take a hard look at stereovox. They are the last cables I will ever buy.
BTW, the Merlins probably need even more than 250 hrs. Did you Berning come with the wiring/cap upgrade? Im about to get mine done....
Hi Ray, Thanks. It's sounding really good! The Merlins and ZH270 amp are new but seem to be broken-in now. I have about 250 hours on them. I hope to write reviews of them soon. My CD player (Ultech), is about 8-9 years old and is definitely my system's weakest link at this point. I plan to upgrade to an Audio Aero Prima. Still trying to catch my financial breath. Whew! I listen mainly to jazz, blues, and light classical.
