CARY CAD120s clipping?

If the Cary SLI-80 did not work too well with your Totems, then the Cary 120S won't be that much better. Don't forget that sound pressure (loudness measured in db) is logarithmic, therefore, there is not much difference between a 40wpc and 60wpc amplifier.

There are a lot of Totem owners who use a SS amp with a tube preamp and report excellent results.

Wilson Witt II's 90dB, Linn Adikt MM 6.5 Mv has a Dynavector MC 10x5 (not recommended due to poor construction) you need 1.4 Mv to run MC carts thru the Cary Preamp. I also ran Lipinski L707 speakers. The amp will also put out 120 watts in ultralinear. The SLI80 is a very good int amp, but seperates make a big difference, that's why I sold the SLI. Wish I still had it for a second system though. YMMV

I agree with Polk432 that separates “generally” perform better than integrated amps, but separates are still bound by ohm’s law. If your gripe with the SLI-80 was a lack of detail and transparency then separates may be the ticket. If you feel that the SLI-80 lacked drive, dynamics and an ability to control the woofer, the 120S may not resolve the issue.

The SLP-98 can be configured in many ways to suit your particular application. The SLP-98P has a very good moving magnet phono stage. It can also be configured internally with Lundahl step-up transformers to accommodate most MC cartridges. You can also get the SLP-98 directly coupled by by-passing Audio 1 coupling caps. There is also a F1 version which offers upgraded caps, wiring, diodes and some improvements. A fully tricked out Cary SLI-98P F1, MC, DC is extremely desirable.

01-31-14: Brf
A fully tricked out Cary SLI-98P F1, MC, DC is extremely desirable.

That is exactly what I am running. I'm using a Dynavector XX2 mk II cartridge, 0.28 mV output, and there is plenty of gain.

Well I believe in the quality of each watt over power of more watts.
I personally have talked to Vince owner of totem acoustics believed in same thing in fact he has a brother running the metals with a 20watt triode amp. He thought even 40 watts would be more then enough power a great match for the forest, since being the designer of them.

That is why I bought the cary for triode mode. See my dad grew me up on on an old Luxman 50watt Single ended triode amp with totem staffs nothing sounded so sweet. Which my cary set up sounds and reminds me of.

Though in triode mode the cad 120 can drive the forest in "any" size room. Ultra Liner is extremely nice when playing any source manly vinyl ! But I rather prefer and play in triode

The cary sli-80 drove the forests shockinling well in triode it filled my dads 1500 sqaure foot living room while using my DAC and cd player . Though I wanted more power to fill the same room with vinyl which the sli-80 lacked in triode then all other sources.
Also I did not want to spend $3800 on the cary phono preamp when most pre amps have a phono preamp built into the preamp now days for that same cost.

The CAD 120 works marvels in phono on my dads luxman preamp.
All I am really wondering is a old solid state preamp not a good match for the 120s.
Thats why I am planing on purchasing the slp-98 it should be the best choice than my dads preamp for now.

I am currently looking at a F1 slp-98p preamp new from a dealer in the States. I won't say the dealers name. He has the moving coil version and Moving magnet one so debating which one to get?

Thanks for your input on the slp-98p that really narrows down the to the per amp I need.