Does Cary stack up to ARC

Cary's (there are so many of them) are typically on the darker richer sound of neutrality with a lot of extras that are not necessarily in the music but can be appealing non the less. They really do that blooming thing and you can be taken in by it. Kind of remind me of Dolly Parton all made up, voluptous comes to mind.

ARC = speed, more extension at both frequency extremes and a sound closer to neutrality with less of that bloom but still offering the presence that tubes are so noted for.

It is a matter of taste as are all things in this hobby. I certainly agree with Sean's assessment.

Kettle,
I agree with some of the above, the Cary is going to be warmer, maybe loose some detail. All you have to do is roll the pre tubes and its all good. I'm am not familiar with ARC, but I had VTL seperates and swicthed to SLI-80 and I am very pleased. I miss the power of the vtl, but I love the sound of the Cary.
Mike

Well, I have had a Cary SLI-80 for about a week now. I have been going back and forth between the Cary and the
ARC, it is like nite and day. Late at night with Chet Baker and the Cary. On Saturday morning with the Sub Dudes and the ARC.

I have to agree with Tubegroover about the differences between the two sounds, and that it is a matter of taste.

I am going to put the ARC gear away for a few days and then come back to it. I may be suprised how the ARC sounds after a steady diet of Cary. I will report back in a few days

By the way Bmrl, what tubes did you roll in the pre section?

Thanks for all of the great comments

Mark

I would imagine that the Cary would fare much better at lower listening levels as it would still sound relatively full-bodied and quite lush. As you know, most systems tend to thin out as volume is decreased. On the other hand, the ARC gear will typically sound more articulate, punchier and up-beat, which is great for high level listening.

Are you sure that you want to get rid of one or the other ??? : ) Sean
>

Kettle have you experimented with upgrade AC cords? If not, then you might realize sonic signature closer to desired by trying out some different cords. No two sound exactly alike & the right cord for your source component isn't necessarily the same cord that you'd prefer on the pre or PA so be sure to try a number of different combo's.
Also try out some different interconnects, speaker cables, cones, shelving, isolation products. Likely that you can tweak what you already have (nice stuff BTW) to the sound that you desire.