Cary Audio CAD-300seiusedCary Audio  CAD-300sei , Extra Set of TubesI am the original owner of the CAD-300SEI. These are pretty remarkable amps I have been using it with a 88db efficiency monitor speaker and it plays surprisingly loud (not that much different than ...3001.00

Cary Audio CAD-300sei , Extra Set of Tubes

Listing ID: lis5gj11 Auction 
 Listed  · 744 Views

3 Watchers

Items from this seller

Time Left: Listing Sold

This listing has ended.

Condition
9/10
Payment methods

Contact seller after sale to pay viaCertified check or Personal check

Ships fromSanta Fe, NM, 87508
Ships toUnited States and Canada
Package dimensionsunspecified
Shipping carrierFedEx
Shipping costFree
Original accessoriesBox, Manual
AverageResearch Pricing

I am the original owner of the CAD-300SEI. These are pretty remarkable amps I have been using it with a 88db efficiency monitor speaker and it plays surprisingly loud (not that much different than the Cary SLI-80), but much more importantly, very, very musically. I owned a Cary SLI-80 which had a bit more bass control and played slightly louder, before I got the 300SEI. But the SLI-80 did not image or give the sense of being in the presence of live music the way the 300SEI does. The 300SEI is really quite engaging, making it a treat to sit and listen to two-channel music. I have been an audiophile for over 4 decades and we have 3 separate audiophile systems in the house. The system driven by the 300SEI is the most musical, hands-down. But we are downsizing our lifestyle with pending retirement, so sadly the 300SEI looks like it must go. I bought a second set of tubes from Cary when I got the amp (thinking I was going to have the unit a long time), but have not used them, so I am including them in the sale.

I was thinking about how many hours of listening I have on the unit, and I would guess that it probably has around 200 hours on it. As far as I can tell looks and behaves as new, but I am listing it as 9/10 just to be conservative, such is my nature. I am including the Bias meter and extra set of tubes, both of which normally cost extra. As seen in the photos, I have the manual and factory double shipping carton. Also note that I am including free FedEx shipping in the lower 48. This is a great chance to get one of these amps at half price.

This is an aside and personal comment on my feelings about tube amplification. My brother is in the audio business and recently met with the chief designer of JBL Synthesis systems and they talked about amplification. The designer is in his late 70’s and when asked about tube amplification he said in so many words that it was a bunch of bunk. That measured performance of amps was a true indication of their accuracy. In some ways what he says resonates to me as I a professional scientist. But I also rely on empirical data, that is my experience to make my judgments. I am fortunate in that I have access to regular live, unamplified performances of music where I work. Over the years I have been involved in the building and tweeking of high-performance loudspeaker systems. Like many audiophiles I am aware that some of the tube systems, especially the single ended triode systems measure pretty poorly, and that is being kind.

I have owned over half a dozen tube amps (many more solid state units) over the last couple decades and have had the chance to critically listen to quite a few more. When disconnected the Cary 300 SEI I am selling to take pictures of it, I could not help but putting it back together and giving it a good listen. I have been using Audio Magic Illusion silver cables from the transport to the amplifier and from the amplifier to the PSB M2 bookshelf speakers. I was bouncing back and forth between a good upsampling Cary redbook CD player and an Oppo player that can output analogue signals from SACD’s. I included a pic of the SACD’s and redbook CD’s I was listening to last night. I also went down to my reference system with a 15K+ solid state front end and 25K main speakers. I like to play with my audio systems. The little Cary integrated amp that I am selling sounds wonderful, very much like live music, and much more engaging than my bigger solid state system. Of course with any tube gear you need to be willing to replace tubes every few years (if you use it a lot) and it is a rare tube unit that can play at head-banging levels. But good tube gear and this little integrated is one of the best out there, can provide you with a window into a live performance, very engaging, makes old jaded audiophiles smile when the sit down to a listen. Anyway, I am rambling, I am going back to listen to some more Eric Clapton on SACD, very sweet.

Reviewers have loved this amp, this is from the Stereophile Review conclusions:

For years I've cavalierly dismissed single-ended tube amplifiers on the basis of their poor measured performance, but the Cary CAD-300SEI integrated amplifier has opened my eyes to the glory of single-ended amplification. The 300SEI was a musical revelation, providing a totally involving and musically euphoric experience night after night. The 300SEI excelled in the most important areas: harmonic rightness, total lack of grain, astonishing transparency, lifelike soundstaging, and a palpability that made the instruments and voices seem to exist in the listening room. Beyond these specific attributes, the 300SEI communicated the musical message in a way that went straight to the heart.

Specifications from the Cary Website:

Circuit Type Single-Ended Class A

Power Output 15 watts

Input Sensitivity .42 Volt for full output

Noise and Hum -90 dB below full output

Frequency Response 20 Hz to 23 KHz +/- .75 dB

Inputs CD, AUX1, AUX2, Headphone jack

Tubes 1 ea – 6SN7 Input 2 ea – 6SN7 Driver 2 ea – 300B

Output Power Transformer 1 ea – EI Laminate,

200% Duty Cycle Output Transformer(s) 2 ea –

EI Laminate Air Gap, 200% Duty Cycle Resistors

1% Metal Film Capacitors Oil-Filled Coupling Power Supply Capacitors 2 ea – 1200µF@250 VDC AC Cord 3 Conductor,

Detachable AC Power Requirements 117/234 VAC @ 50/60 Hz

Consumption 107 watts – Operation Warm-Up Time 3 Minutes

Break-In Time 100 hours of playing time Finish Black Anodized Aluminum Faceplate,

Jaguar blue chassis with high gloss Clear Coat finish.

Weight 51 lbs Dimensions 8″ H x 14″ W x 14″ D

No questions have been asked about this item.

Ask the seller a public question

You must log in to ask a question.

Return Policy

Return Window

Returns are not accepted on this item.