kevinmi Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I broke my beloved Cary SLP-98P-F1, so I sent it in for repairs. They are backlogged by a couple of months, so I'm looking for something to take it's place, and then be used for a second system later. Start climbing through your attic and see if you have any hidden treasures laying around. Thanks, Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 NBS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Carver CT-17? Only $800 back in 1990. If I had only bought $800 worth of Microsoft instead. Sorry, missed the tube part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakdown7 Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I have a Juicy Music “Super Merlin” tube line stage and matching Tercel II phono stage. Although I don’t really want to sell either, I might could be talked out of them for the right price. PM me if interested. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joessportster Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 MapleTree Line 2 crm Brand new 800.00 3 in 2 out with remote. I am keeping mine but heres a link Call Lloyd if he already has one in the build you can get it in as little as 2 weeks.................................And it can use your existing stock of 6sn7. I personally think it is a very nice little pre https://www.mapletreeaudio.com/index.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I think joe made a good suggestion. And although mine wasn’t the F1 version, I once owned an SLP98. In my opinion it won’t take a lot of $$ to beat it. Also look at the Tortuga LDR preamps. Not tubes, but able to take down a lot of tube pres. Your search might lead you to relegate the Cary to the second system. Shakey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieb Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I’ve owned a couple Maple Tree preamps - nice quiet little units with a decidedly “cottage industry” vibe. A very neutral sound for a tube preamp. You can also use the 12sx7 in place of the 6sn7 with the flip of a switch. Also most use a separate power supply and L/R volume pots with one central gain - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Schiit Freya +...send it back if you don't like it for refund.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 7 hours ago, Shakeydeal said: Your search might lead you to relegate the Cary to the second system. I rather doubt that, as it's one of the best rated preamplifiers out there for the money. I can't believe you weren't impressed with yours. Maybe you left in the factory supplied EH tubes? But you are partially right, because I'm thinking about buying a second one, so one will end up in a second system! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 I did try NOS tubes. I’m not saying it was bad, it was just too lush and not resolving at all. I can see where it might fit into some systems that are lean and/or bright. I have found that to be the Cary house sound as I didn’t care for the SLI-80 Signature either. But I have heard that the F1 versions are much improved. Shakey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 4 hours ago, Shakeydeal said: I did try NOS tubes. I’m not saying it was bad, it was just too lush and not resolving at all. I can see where it might fit into some systems that are lean and/or bright. I have found that to be the Cary house sound as I didn’t care for the SLI-80 Signature either. But I have heard that the F1 versions are much improved. Shakey I've heard that also. I've never heard a stock unit, but I've read that the direct coupled option makes for a more accurate and faster sound. I do have big horns with 2 inch drivers , so my speakers can use a little mellow-ness thrown in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmi Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 Thanks to everyone who responded, there were very many good suggestions. I found a good deal on another Cary SLP-98p F1, and since I love my original so much, I decided it would be a good investment to buy a spare.I'm not sure how much longer Cary will be producing this fine sounding pre, and the prices are just going up on new and used units. The newer stuff from Cary after Dennis Had left isn't the same. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted February 19, 2021 Share Posted February 19, 2021 ^ very nice! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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