Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp - SOLD

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richidoo

Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp - SOLD
« on: 22 Feb 2008, 07:50 pm »
Integrated Tube Amplifier, 2004 vintage, Signature edition. I am the second owner. The first owner was a Cary dealer from AR. The amp is in excellent condition. Comes with remote control (volume and mute,) bias adjustment cable, owner's manual, original box, spare fuses, and an assortment of tubes. 4ohm/8ohm switchable transformer tap to match your speaker impedance. 3 inputs. All dual mono except for mains transformer. Safely switch between Triode/Pentode while operating. The amp was inspected at Cary Audio in July 2006, where the amp was given a clean bill of health by Dennis Had himself. I bought Manley Snappers soon after that so the Cary has been played little ever since. It is clean and beautiful, very high WAF. It has a microscopic ding on the aluminum faceplate edge, invisible beyond 6", otherwise perfect condition.

The beauty of this amp is that the sonic character is easily tuned to your preference by changing tubes. With 6SN7 as drivers, this has the classic Cary Audio, full and rich sound, yet is still very nimble and fast.  If you like your R&B syrupy sweet, switch to triode and install some Mullards or Bugle Boys and you're in heaven! If you want to rock out with fat tube sound, use KT-88s or even EL34s in pentode mode. I love 6550s for classical.

This amp comes with a large collection of tubes. A set of four matched and very neutral sounding SED Winged C 6550C tubes with <1000 hours. Four vintage US 6CA7s, four RubyTubes 6550s (also SED 6550C, came as stock), three Electro-Harmonix EL34s (one blew before I learned that EL34 only needs 30ma bias current), two vintage RCA 6SN7GTBs, two Chinese 6SN7s (stock), two Sovtek 6922s (stock), two vintage Matsushita 6922s (awesome), two Ruby Tubes chinese 5U4 flared bottle bottle rectifiers (stock), 2 used RCA 5U4G, and 2 NOS RCA 5U4G rectifiers (never used.)

All of the many reviews of this classic amplifier are true. This beauty sounds awesome, and will fit any musical taste with a wide range of tubes. $1800 plus shipping. Thanks for reading.
-Rich
« Last Edit: 4 Mar 2008, 12:41 am by richidoo »

richidoo

Re: Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp
« Reply #1 on: 1 Mar 2008, 04:05 am »
Bump for weekend. More info added.
Rich

pbrstreetgang

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Re: Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp
« Reply #2 on: 1 Mar 2008, 10:03 am »
Man thats a killer amp and tube choice, wish I was in the market

EDS_

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Re: Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp
« Reply #3 on: 1 Mar 2008, 03:11 pm »
I have one here are some thoughts.....

* The SLI-80's headphone section sounds fantastic
* 4 and 8 ohm taps
* Setting the bias is a snap
* Twin subwoofer outputs
* 3 stereo inputs
* It's freakin' heavy
* Don't discount the ability to switch from triode to ultralinear - triode for Bird, Davis and Sinatra - ultralinear for Sabbath, Slipknot and Motor Head

For a few years an SLI - 80 has been my "reference" - I love that term.   Within its price range the amp is difficult to beat.  It's like buying a fine tube preamp, a fine tube amp, a fine hp amp all in one chassis with several very cool features thrown in to boot.  And endless tuberolling opportunities.



richidoo

Re: Cary Audio SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amp - SOLD
« Reply #4 on: 1 Mar 2008, 10:09 pm »
Thanks guys. Well said!  :thumb:  It's not fair that every room can't have a high end stereo. :(

Another great thing about this amp is that it holds its value very well. I think the average used sale price for this Signature model is actually rising over the last 2 years. Prices fluctuate up to $2300, and even higher for the F1 version but this is about the bottom of the range nowadays. New is $3000, exactly like this one.

EDIT:  The amp is sold - 3/3/08.
Thanks
Rich
« Last Edit: 4 Mar 2008, 12:42 am by richidoo »