|
Review NaN of
, from Pacifica, CA Summary: The following review is for the SLAM 100s and not the SLM 100s. Until there's a spot for me to review the SLAM 100s, I'll just post it here.
I will preface this review by saying that I am a budding audiophile. I'm writing to report my experience with a pair of Cary Audio Designs SLAM 100s that I bought used. The SLAMs replaced the SLMs, offering better bass support and more power 168W Push-pull/100W triode. Though Cary has recently discontinued this line, I'm told they are seriously considering re-releasing them... I hope so.
Here's my system
-B&W CDM-7 speakers/B&W Nautilus 804s (I recently upgraded) -Sony STRDA-777ES Receiver -Technichs DVD-A10 DVD-Audio -2 Sony ES 300-CD changers for bulk music listening... The upsampling in the DVD-A10, providing much greater resolution, is used for serious listening -Sunfire MkII Sub -Monster Z-2 bi-wire cables and misc. Monster Z-series and Kimber interconnects
I've had most this system for ~ 2 years now and have been fairly pleased. Originally, this was meant to be an A/V system. Recently, a move has given me the opportunity to build a music system in the living room and an A/V system in a mini-TV room upstairs. I began auditioning components to replace my ES A/V reciever so that I could use it for it's intended purpose.
I've been searching for several months, without success, to find a component that would make a big difference in my music system... "Bang for the buck." I auditioned a Parasound amp, but found it colder than my ES. I auditioned a set of Rotel mono-blocks, but found them to be harshly forward-biased. I auditioned a Krell integrated (I really wanted to like this), finding it to be only a slight improvemement over my ES. At the end of the day, I figured there was one of three problems: 1. The Sony ES was performing poorly as a pre-amp for the other components 2. The other components were new and needed break-in 3. My ES was just an Sony enigma... (Possibly why it weighed 70lbs.) 4. My ears were broken.
Considering buying a second used ES for the upstairs room, I had the opportunity to audition a kit that a friend of mine built. The sound was warm and much more relaxed than my ES. I did, however, notice that the bass was a bit sloppier, but reckoned I'd eventually add a sub to my system for listening to content with serious bass. I was now ready to make the jump, with associated tradeoffs, to tubes.
After about a month of shopping and tube research, I came accross a good deal on a used pair of SLAM-100s... I jumped.
Now, after my first evening with the SLAMs in my system, I was floored! I could tell a few things right off the bat: 1. There is no trade-off with these monos... silky with a slam! 2. I have more separation coming from my speakers than I ever though possible. 3. My B&Ws CDM-7s reproduced bass so accurately, low and sweet that I may be selling my sub! 4. This is not my friend's home-built kit, these things are dead accurate, powerfull, sweet and beautiful to look at. 5. Music is wonderful! I don't think I'll be spening much time watching TV or videos now.
The difference between these amps and anything else I've heard in my home is huge. This is not the sort of difference it takes a well-trained ear to behold... we're talking Mad Dog 20/20 vs. Opus-One here. I never expected such a dramatic improvement, especially considering I'm still using the ES receiver as a pre-amp. My next change will certainly be to add an SLP-98 to my system.
Lastly, I replaced my B&W CDM-7s with B&W Nautilus 804s (thanks to the generous upgrade policy provided by the folks at Future Sound in Burlingame, CA). Wow, what a huge difference. It's not really fair to compare the 804 sound with the sound other amplifiers made when driving the CDM-7s, but I can say that the Cary SLAM-100s really like the Nautilus 804s.
In sumary, -The Cary SLAM-100s are very nice amplifiers and will, IMOHO, provide good bang for the buck. -Cary may be rereleasing the SLAM-100s! -These amps drove my B&W to sound like completely different speakers... seemingly more efficient and detailed -The bass with these monos is accurate, powerful and generally amazing! -Though, these block allow you to switch between push-pull and triode, I've never needed the extra power offered by push-pull... 100 Watts of triode is plenty loud! Strengths: Detailed, accurate bass, pushed speakers to perform at new levels, separation and excellent customer support. Weaknesses: $5k price, though a bargain for the quality, may be high for many. Similar Products Used: My first tube amp... previously Rotel Monoblocks, Sony ES receiver, Denon Integrated amp, etc.
|