Description

My system was designed for blues, jazz, vocals, acoustical guitar, etc. It was not designed for the ground pounding bass that some people want. If you are looking for an un-natural bass sound then solid state is your answer. However if you are looking for true natural sound and bass, then my system has it.

When I started my search for a simple high-end system I walked into some of the biggest hype ever. Very few businesses sold tube audio and all stated that solid state sounded as good and all of the reviews I read all compared solid state to tube. My big question was if tube is the comparator for SS why not just buy tube?

One day in Seattle, Washington I was system shopping and listened to a Musical Fidelity flag ship system with B&W speakers. Price tag about 30k or maybe more, it was the 1KW system. By the way Musical Fidelity uses tubes in this preamp stage, again why? I then went up the road a few blocks to a small shop, Audio connection, owner John Zimmerman. There I found someone that was more interested in a system that sounded real then my credit card and how much was available on it.

The system that John had put together was the Cary SLI-80, Cary CD-303/200 and the Jamo speakers. I was in complete awe after hearing it. I had just listened to a 30k system, which sounded great but missed the fine edge of realism, warmth and character.

After my purchase of the Cary components I had a small issue with the CD player. Then the owner of Cary Audio Design, Dennis Had, stepped in and presented me with customer service that is unheard of these days. He was willing to stand behind his product until I was a completely satisfied customer. The only reason that anyone would go this far is due to the fact that the product is some of the finest built and any problem that makes it to the customer was unacceptable to Dennis. This is customer service at it s finest and I truly believe that anyone else purchasing Cary products can also feel safe knowing that Dennis Had and his team really do care about you the customer.

My final step was to add some good cabling without the hype. The owner of Echo Audio in Portland, Oregon helped me to clear up that issue. I added LAT International cables to my system at a price that I consider to be at the edge of diminishing returns. I believe I am getting the maximum value at a good price. The best thing about LAT cables is the fact that they build them to remove two factors, RF and EMI signals. I believe that it is not what you hear rather then what you don’t hear, that is RF and EMI signals through your cables.

I then placed the components on a Standesign rack system. I replaced the wood with granite slabs to give it more stability.

The sound just keeps getting better and better as I pass the break-in point.

Special thanks to:

John Zimmerman of Audio Connection, Seattle, Washington

Dennis Had of Cary Audio Design

The good people and owner of Echo Audio in Portland, Oregon
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Components Toggle details

    • Cary Audio Design SLI-80
    On tweaks, right from the box.
    • Cary Audio Design CD-303
    CD-303/200 Model with HDCD. Dennis Had of Cary Audio got it right with this CD player
    • Jamo D-870
    The ultimate tube amp speaker. Also known as the Concert 11 (Older Version)
    • LAT International IC-100 Mark II
    Locking RCA connectors,
    • LAT International SS-800 BI-WIRE
    Performance Top-of-the -Line Bi-Wire speaker cable
    • LAT International AC-2
    Ultra High-End Power Cord
    • Standesign Modular Series - Base, Module
    The wood was changed out to granite slabs, addional cost $120.00
    • Covers When not being Used Wife made
    My lovely wife made these great covers for the system when it is not being used.
    • REL Acoustics Strata mkIII
    REL Strata III was added to augment the low end to the Cary tube amp. This has been an awesome addition to my system.
    • Furutech e-TP80
    Furutech e-TP80 AC Filter
    • Rega Planar-25
    Rega P25 with Herbie Mat and ClearAudio Record Clamp
    • Benz Micro MC H2O
    Benz Micro Wood Series High Output
    • Audio Electronic Supply PH-1
    With all possible upgrades

Comments 16

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Jford,
I am extremely pleased to see that you are using the Jamo's. I have the Jamo Concert 8 bookshelves and I just can't get myself to replace them. I've auditioned many other speakers by dynaudio and jm lab but haven't found any with in a reasonable price jump to purchase. I was thinking about trying tubes myself. I am using Naim equipment right now which has paired up extremely well with my speakers. When shopping around I will keep Cary in mind. It is always nice to find a company that will stand behind their products. Congratulations on your system and good luck with any future changes. Bill

dsmr2