Wemfan,
Similar, here. I'm a relatively recent convert to tubes (although had tubes for awhile in guitar amps, but in no way consider myself a musician--more of an awful noise-maker with no time to make it better), like to listen to music, and don't really have a developed audiophile vocabulary. Tweaking and tube-rolling is a bonus. I really only sell stuff when there is an "upgrade" and can actually bring myself to let something old go.
So, really, just from a regular dude.
Anyway, I haven't heard the ARC and the Cary side-by-side in the same setup. I heard the ARC awhile ago (can't remember where), before I had the Cary. My impression was "wow." Articulate, fast, meaty, and bold--from vague memory. Of course, that would be colored by different associated gear.
Inasmuch as a comparison could be made given the different setups and time, I'd say the Cary is slower, warmer, more musical and "emotional." So, more to my taste, nowadays. Should it matter, it's also quite a bit less expensive, especially used.
I guess, for me, it was ARC="wow." Cary=hair standing up on my arms and a few bucks in my pocket.
Just $.02, and probably overpriced, at that.
Good luck
Similar, here. I'm a relatively recent convert to tubes (although had tubes for awhile in guitar amps, but in no way consider myself a musician--more of an awful noise-maker with no time to make it better), like to listen to music, and don't really have a developed audiophile vocabulary. Tweaking and tube-rolling is a bonus. I really only sell stuff when there is an "upgrade" and can actually bring myself to let something old go.
So, really, just from a regular dude.
Anyway, I haven't heard the ARC and the Cary side-by-side in the same setup. I heard the ARC awhile ago (can't remember where), before I had the Cary. My impression was "wow." Articulate, fast, meaty, and bold--from vague memory. Of course, that would be colored by different associated gear.
Inasmuch as a comparison could be made given the different setups and time, I'd say the Cary is slower, warmer, more musical and "emotional." So, more to my taste, nowadays. Should it matter, it's also quite a bit less expensive, especially used.
I guess, for me, it was ARC="wow." Cary=hair standing up on my arms and a few bucks in my pocket.
Just $.02, and probably overpriced, at that.
Good luck