1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 1220205252

Cary Audio SLP 05 PreampWhat tubes are you using?

I recently purchased a used Cary Audio SLP 05 Preamp from a fellow Audiogonmer. It did not come with the original tubes.Instead supplied were some NOS Raytheon 231, and Sylvania 231.

I have also bought a pair of NOS Ken Rad VT-231 tubes, and a few of the Sylvania short bottle.

I have changed the rectifier tube to the Phillps GZ 34 metal base mini watt made in Holland.I have also installed the HiFi fuses.

Any other suggestions as to tubes for this Preamp, there seems to be so many ?
ozzy
tvad
9,467 posts
 
The Stereophile test measurements suggest that there might be rolloff in the treble and bass extremes, although Atkinson states the preamp is happier with low input
impedances than with very high input impedances (as found in BAT amps), so
maybe the rolloff isn't noticeable in balanced mode with the Pass Labs ~20K
input impedance.
paul_lindemann's avatar
paul_lindemann
12 posts
 
Congratulations on owning a great preamp. The Sylvania short bottle 6SN7W are great tubes. I would also try the 1578 Russian 6SN7 tubes to add more air and space between instruments...an amazing sounding tube.

Disclaimer: I do sell tubes on Audiogon.
jtwrace's avatar
jtwrace
425 posts
 
Yes, the Popes have gooten almost impossible to get...as for sound I still like them better then the RCA/Sylvainia GTB's. I would like to try some Tung Sol RP and some Russian 1578's. The cost has just gotten out of control on these though. I'm so happy with the Popes (and have many of them) that I'm inclined to stick with them unless I find some NOS Russian/RP's on my frequent search.

Tvad-
my amps imput impedance is 100K and the SLP-05 and Clayton match is great IMO.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
One day later, and the SLP-05 is for sale?
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
433 posts
 
Ozzy
as to the range ...I know what you mean. I tried the slp-05 with my x250.5 and same problem...it's due to excessive gain in the system (pass ~30 dB gain, slp-05 ~8 dB gain) with typical ~5vrms balanced digital sources. The 8dB from the Cary is actually less than the normal >10 dB gain active preamps. Unless you install signal robbing attenuators you are screwed and have to live with it...or sell it! Pass X10 and X20 now have closer to unity gain --user selectable.

Dave
More to discover