Cary 300SEI vs Art Audio PX-25

Yes, of course, Audiofeil, you are correct. It was a slip on my part. I realize the AA PX-25 has KR PX-25 tubes and not 300B! But it needed to be corrected, for which I thank you.

Art Audio always struck me as having a family sound that is a bit more linear and a bit more detailed on top (air) as compared to Cary. I love both though.

I've had the 300SEI and currently own the PX-25 in my system(Cain&Cain IM-Bens) and the two are totally different approaches to SET, sonically.

As pointed out, the Cary is ultra-lush, warm, rich sounding. Whether too much so or not is a matter of personal taste(way too much for me). An analogy might be that the PX-25 is fine silk and the 300SEI rich, blood red, velvet.

That's not to imply that the PX-25 is reserved or delicate sounding, just that it is more refined in every aspect while still delivering a musically vivid presentation. As one reviewer said "It's as if notes, instruments, are lit from within". It is also has amazing current drive capabilities for a SET, meaning some of the best bass response I've ever heard out of any SET amp. The PX-25 is truly one of the great SETs made.

As for the 300SEI, it lives for the midrange. A sort of hyper-reality in that band, but I can understand why loyal Cary fans love it. Unfortunately, I found it's low frequencies loose and poorly controlled.

I'm tired right now, but I'll try and be more descriptive tomorrow.