Cornman Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 I cant find a mar on the unit nor the remote, but Ill call it 8 out of 10 in cosmetics . Works flawlessly . Great phono stage with both MC and MM & if you want to bi-amp it has two outputs . Output tubes 6sn7 are Tung-sol selected by Cary . The F1 has all those glorious upgrades listed in thread below from Cary . If you have been shopping Pre amps you know the 98's reputation so I want brag on it further . $2400.00 Contact me for more photos, my files are to large , happy to speak with you on any questions . 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Oh my... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 What upgrades were done? Is it upgraded caps(which caps)?... is it direct coupled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Is this the unit you just bought? What didn't you like about it? I think mine is the best sounding preamp I've ever heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Maybe hisssssss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Yes Kevin this is one of the 3 pre-amps I purchased this month , "chasing the sound ". The 98 is quieter then a church mouse, I can not hear any hisss or any type of noise with ear to mid range horn . The sound quality was excellent very similar too the one I kept, just a matter of my ears - room and my taste . Looking at the Cary site I thought the F1 would have all of the listed upgrades - But upon more investigation it appears some or optional . I will try to contact Cary today, hopefully with serial # they can provide the details . Or maybe Kevin can tell us more about the F1 , he has spent a lot of time with his . Mundorf MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold Capacitors or Jensen Copper Foil/Paper-in-Oil/Pure Silver Lead-Out Capacitors HEXFRED RECTIFIERS KIMBER KABLE SLP-98 PHONO STAGEPrice: $500.00 (includes parts and labor) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I will Gladly Pay you Tuesday for a Cary SLP today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 All seriousness if I had the Dough we would be speaking................ (Care to upgrade those Oris Drivers and try a tubed Pre-with Remote). GLWS Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 I am good with all the upgrades, I am just curious if it's got the direct coupling option. Probably not, because that would be listed right at the top of the options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Thanks Joe for the offer on the Oris drivers , at this point I am not sure I will keep them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 I just received this reply from Cary re: Upgrade question . Steve Witek <Steve@caryaudio.com> 11:44 AM (29 minutes ago) to me Joe, According to the records this unit was here and had the following upgrades installed. We cannot validate any changes made to the unit after it leaves Cary Audio. The previous customer may have taken the unit to a local repair shop and had more work done or made changes that would reverse what upgrades were installed when we had it. MR Clarity caps 2 MR Clarity caps Upgrade Lundahl Transformer 1 20:1 gain Upgrade Hexfreds 4 High speed low noise rectifiers Upgrade Steve That Lundahl Transformer that allows the use of MC cartridges in the phono stage is another $500.00 upgrade . I dont have any experience with the MR Clarity caps, but someone on this site does & will hopefully comment . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cornman Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 Shu, Dennis Had started building me a pair of Triode mono blocks couple weeks ago . In our several emails I asked about coupling caps in his "Sweet Little Pre " 98 ( as he calls it ) . He replied he does not know how these forum stories get started because all the SLP98's were Direct coupled . Yet It seems to me that that must be an option though to have coupling caps etc. the Mundorfs & Jensens are offered by Cary as up grades in sets of4 . I Will send another E message to Cary asking for explanation unless Kevin or someone else here knows the answer . ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 19 hours ago, Cornman said: Shu, Dennis Had started building me a pair of Triode mono blocks couple weeks ago . In our several emails I asked about coupling caps in his "Sweet Little Pre " 98 ( as he calls it ) . He replied he does not know how these forum stories get started because all the SLP98's were Direct coupled . Yet It seems to me that that must be an option though to have coupling caps etc. the Mundorfs & Jensens are offered by Cary as up grades in sets of4 . I Will send another E message to Cary asking for explanation unless Kevin or someone else here knows the answer . ??? When I purchased my SLP-98, I was told by the original owner that Upscale Audio did the F1 mods, and that some type of caps were indeed removed to make it direct coupled, which added a sense of speed to the unit. This is info I got several years ago, and I don't necessarily trust my memory that well. I would suggest getting a hold of Upscale Audio and see what they have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 I would love to buy this preamp just to keep it as a collector/back-up. Maybe if I hit the lotto... Someone needs to ****** this up- you won't regret it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted January 31, 2019 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Also, you can order a black faceplate/knobs direct from Cary if you don't like the silver.I went from black to silver on mine, but might change it back to black to match my new Inspire amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted February 1, 2019 Share Posted February 1, 2019 If I had the Scratch I would have already made an offer................I have most of the dough coming in from various sales but I dont like making a commitment to buy without the cash in hand But I have sent you a PM with inquiry Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Sent you another PM concerning the Pre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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