Cary Audio Sli-80 Signature F1 special editionThis is the ultimate upgraded version of the already exceptional Cary Sli-80 integrated. The F1 version was commissioned by Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio in collaboration with Dennis Had at Cary Audio in North Carolina, with every component upgraded to bring out the best in an already great integrated amplifier. All point-to-point wired. No flaws that I can find on the finish. Rated 8/10 only because I am the second owner. Mine has just been further upgraded and tested to make it probably the best Sli-80 you can buy. This model is no longer being built because the costs became prohibitive. Current price of the few remaining units is $4,499. Upgrades included in the F1 beyond the standard Sli-80: Jensen oil and copper capacitors, but mine has just been upgraded further by a Cary dealer to Cardas Golden Ratio coupling capacitors and at the same time the power supply capacitors were replaced. The amp was burned in for two days by the dealer and checked out completely. It now sounds better than new. Receipt for the upgrade is available. Hexfreds in the power supply result in better pitch and definition especially when music becomes complex and is most helpful in the bass. CD input is wired with Kimber Kable..put your most critical component there. WBT Speaker terminals, these are real WBT terminals, not “WBT style.” Grayhill gold plated selector switch Special finish - chassis is a beautiful deep cobalt blue with silk-screened logo and silver faceplate, no longer available. The headphone output alone is one of the best you can buy at any price. Comes with a 1-meter upgraded power cord, a shielded Belden 19364 with Marinco hospital grade connectors. Tubes required are: 2 - 6DJ8/6922/7308/7DJ8 - Input Buffer Preamp 2 - 6SN7 - Pre Driver/Phase Inverter 4 - El34/KT77/6L6/KT88/6P3S-e/5881 - Output Tubes 2 - 5U4 - Rectifiers One of the best features of this amp is the variety of tube types that can be used to tailor the sound to your preference. Included with the amp are these tubes. Recent test data is included where I have it but all have been tested recently in the amp and are quiet and sound great. 4) Genelex Gold Lion KT-77 - just tested by the Cary dealer as “almost new” 4) 6P3S-e - NOS 1980’s 6L6 equivalent tubes tested and matched by Jim McShane, unused except for a brief test in the amp. Sweet tubes 2) Sylvania vintage 6SN7GTB 2) Tungsol reissue 6SN7 - 102/100 and 98/96 2) Tesla vintage (not JJ) E88CC/6922 3) Amperex 6922 made by Tungsram 2) Tesla vintage PCC88/7DJ8 2) Electro-harmonix 6922 stock tubes 2) Electro-harmonix 5U4GB stock tubes
2) Vintage Tungsol 5U4GB straight bottle tubes, bought as NOS but hours unknown The amp will be shipped in the original Cary double box with tubes, owner’s manual and bias cable. I can include a digital multimeter for biasing if you don’t already have one. The amp is a beast and shipping will be in the range of $90. I will split shipping at my asking price. Pictures of the amp were taken at different times so the tubes that ship with the amp may be different from what you see. If you have any questions send a message and I will send a phone number.
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