Hal123,

Yes, it's a small club of 250. Curious, what tubes do you run in yours?

I have felt for some time now that the ART is my last preamp also. Their new GAT caught my attention but it has mosfets in its output which makes it somewhat of a hybrid. Not to say i might not like it better but I like the idea of a pure tube design and just have no desire to change what I have.

Re the Cary: I have had absolutely no issue with hum or buzz or anything since the day I got them. In fact this is one of the quietest tube amps I've owned whether my ear was next to the amp itself or pressed up against the speakers.

The 211 tube surprised me in a good way. I owned an 845 amp in the past and enjoyed it. I just figured having the ability to also run a 211 was a bonus but when I heard it, I'd say I actually prefer the 211 to the 845. Seems to be a little faster (dynamic?) and have a little more extension, high and low. Between the two, I'd call the 845 the midrange lovers tube and 211 the "fuller ranger" one but its midrange is pretty nice also. The amp is supplied with both so you will find which one you like best.... BTW!!!!.... make sure and double check that you flip the switch on the left that sets up the transformers for the correct tube. I have more tips should you demo or buy the 805's. I'll look here for your progress.

Will you be able to demo them in your home first? I looked at the impedance graph of the Sophia 3 and it looks like the 4 ohm tap is going to be best. You could experiment with the 8 ohm but I think the Cary would be happier on the 4 but it's just a guess. Let your ears decide.

Never heard the Quads, just good things about them. My Marantz 8b is keeping me happy and that says a lot coming from a single ended lover.

onemug July 24, 2013 17:10

Hal123,

Congrats on a fine system. I have an ART 2 preamp also. I consider it the heart of my system. I personally think it is one of the finest preamps ever made.

Also congrats on thinking "outside the box". Many would not ever consider using something like the Quads with the Sophias. I myself use a vintage Marantz 8b with my Sonus Faber Guarneris (originals) and get very musical results.

At heart though, I am a SET lover and bought a pair of Cary 805 AE's to see if they would work with my Magnepan 3.6's (talk about outside the box). I alternate them with some Pass class A monoblocks. Single ended just does something I really like. If you ever decide to try that route and are interested in the Cary's, let me know as I already have a dedicated low power SET/Hi-eff system and the Carys are more of a luxury that I really don't need.

Think long and hard before you ever let go of your ART.

onemug July 23, 2013 19:11