Features
| Brand | Cary Audio |
|---|
Tech Specs
- Circuit Type - Class A Triode
- Output - Rated 2 volts, 12 volts maximum
- Gain - 20dB – Line Stage
- 43 dB – Phono Stage (SLP 98P only)
- Noise and Hum - -88 dB below full output
- Input Impedance - 50,000 Ohms – Line
- 47,000 Ohms – Phono
- Output Impedance - 440 Ohms
- Frequency Response - 5 Hz to 163,000 Hz
- Tubes - 4 ea – 6SN7 Line Stage
- 2 ea – 12AX7 Phono Stage
- 2 ea – 12AU7 Phono buffer
- Power Transformer(s) - EI Laminate, 200% Duty Cycle
- Resistors - 1% Metal Film
- Capacitors - Polypropylene Film with hand soldered copper terminals (optional upgrades available)
- Power Supply Capacitors - 4 ea – 560µF @ 400 VDC
- AC Cord - 3 Conductor, Detachable
- AC Power Requirements - 117/234 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
- Consumption - 44 watts – Operation
- Warm-Up Time - 3 Minutes
- Break-In Time - 100 hours of playing time
- Finish - Anthracite black chassis with silver or black aluminum faceplate
- Weight - 22 lbs
- Dimensions - 5″ H x 12.5″ W x 12″ D
Product Description
The Cary Audio SLP-98 Valve Pre Amplifier is so good that it has been in production since 1998, virtually unchanged. This is the entry-level unit from Cary Audio. It is still musically satisfying and hand-built in the U.S.A. Moreover, the valves are matched and zero feedback is used for the purest sound.
Notably, this unit has an external power supply to keep any noise-generating transformers away from the sensitive audio circuits. This is a great unit for analogue lovers, as it has no shortage of inputs, including a tape loop. Lastly, an optional phono stage is available as is a remote control for the volume.
Point to point construction
Traditional point-to-point wiring is used for the Cary Audio SLP-98 Valve Pre Amplifier. Moreover, only audio-grade components are used, these include 1% metal film resistors as well as polypropylene film capacitors. One of the main problems with old valve equipment was the paper capacitors that were once used. These are now mostly electrically leaky or shorted.
However, polypropylene capacitors will last a lifetime. A long capacitor life is important as leaky capacitors can damage the valves. Point-to-point wiring also does away with the need for less reliable PCBs. Lastly, due to the small footprint, there are no XLR connectors.
Great connectivity
The Cary Audio SLP-98 Valve Pre Amplifier has five RCA inputs as well as three outputs. There is also a master volume as well as individual left and right controls. A mute switch is provided as is a tape/monitor switch.
Two additional valves can be added for the optional phono stage. The external power supply provides the high voltages needed for the valves as well as the heater supply. Lastly, the smoothing capacitors are mounted on the main unit.
Why valves?
Valves are renowned for their warm and musical sound. The Cary Audio SLP-98 Valve Pre Amplifier uses a pair in each channel. Valves are also inherently Class A so there is no biasing or cross-over distortion.
Additionally, they run at a high voltage and use very little current. As a result, the power supply is only lightly loaded reducing hum and noise. Valves do not produce noise as transistors do.
Valves are thermionic devices where a heated cathode emits electrons that are attracted to the positive anode. A high voltage is applied to the anode, while the cathode is held at a lower voltage. The control grid is taken slightly negative, this has the effect of stopping the current flow from the cathode to the anode.
The audio signal is then applied to the grid and an amplified version appears at the anode. Because of the high voltages, each stage is coupled with a capacitor, any leakage would upset the biasing of the next stage hence high-grade capacitors are used.
Who are Cary Audio?
Cary Audio is a U.S. Company based in North Carolina. Their main ethos is musicality and reliability. They use only the best components so that their products maintain their performance for decades. They are renowned for high-performing, long-lasting, and affordable audiophile equipment. Cary Audio also makes a range of valve and solid-state power amplifiers.
