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Anyone heard the new Cary SA-500.1 Monoblocks?

Stereophile from CES 2011 said,
The SA-500.1 sounded warm, open, coherent and dynamic playing high-resolution files courtesy of David Chesky and HDTracks.
Cary's white paper indicates the 500.1's maintain the "Cary Sound" (similar characteristics to their tubed designs) with a host of design improvements "over our previous efforts" (the 500MB?) including substantial power supply improvements; current-handling capacity; improved bass performance; reduced noise floor; improved imaging, staging, depth, and dimensionality; a more "lifelike and palpable" midrange; and improved transparancy. One specific change is apparently eliminating the former large capacitors (that "suffer from problems including (ESR) Equivalent Series Resistance), using multiple smaller capacitors (like McCormack DNA?) and "adding bypass capacitors at the output devices." The amps also apparently feature improved reliability and a "modular design" that would allow easy field repairs.

These are apparently a significantly different (better?) amp from the former model 500MB monos that I owned and enjoyed.

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has actually heard and seen them.
mitch2
kclone's avatar
kclone
601 posts
 
Bump for this. How about the little brother, the Cary SA-200.2 solid state amp?

Been out since January and not a word about how it sounds from anywhere.
audioconnection
1,015 posts
 
At Audio Connection
We have Cary SA 200.2 running the Vandersteen 3A Sigs
the new CD 500 and SLP 03 with Kimber 12 TC
I like the way the amp is driving the system and all who have heard it have commented great amp.
Best Johnnyr

kclone's avatar
kclone
601 posts
 
Thanks Audioconnection. Have you tried the Cary SLP 05 in front of the SA 200.2 yet? From what I understand it is quite a step up from the SLP 03.
slanski62
42 posts
 
I'm on my second week with a pair that replaced a Bryston 14BSST2. I find that they have noticeably better bass control, bass detail and significantly greater dynamics.

My system:

Apple Mac > W4S Dac2 and VPI Classic with DV 20XL2>Sutherland 20/20
BAT VK52SE
Cary SA-500.1 monos
Selah Audio Visionario speakers
Transparent Super cables
mitch2 OP
1,911 posts
 
Stan, I looked very hard at the 500.1's and ultimately decided to upgrade my Clayton's instead. I might have been swayed if there had been more information out there about the 500.1's but they are quite new. I understand there may be a pair currently in for review by a major publication so maybe we will hear more about them in the future. You mentioned significant improvements in bass and dynamics over your former Bryston amps, but how about mids and high frequencies, or is it too early to tell?
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