This system serves as both my HT and 2 Channel system. I have thought about upgrading speakers at some point but the Studio 100v2 speakers are simply mind boggling at this price. The same goes for the speaker cables. I am not sure how many would ever have $16000 monos going to $2000 speakers with $300 cables but it seriously works and quite well I might add as I have tried others and wasn't impressed. I will more than likely upgrade more power cables before anything else. The system is on dedicated power and the BP2 Ultra is serving the front end and HT with the Monos each having their own 20amp line. After the power cables I will be looking at a new DVD/SACD/DVDA player to add some versatility and better picture quality. The new Denon DVD2900 is looking like a great option.
System edited: It has been a while since I have updated my system. I have had a number of changes over time. Major changes: Audio Aero Prima to BAT VKD5SE with Super Pak Pass Labs X600s to Pass Labs X350 Cary SLP2002 to BAT VK50SE Mitsu 65" rptv to 100" Projector setup Mistu DVD to Denon 5900 and PS3 Paradigm Studio ADPs to Paradigm Signature ADPs REL Studio III to Paradigm Servo 15 Next steps: I continue to entertain differnt front speakers. I have listened to numerous options, but find it difficult to spend the money at this point. I have even auditioned the newer Paradigms but didn't feel they were worth the investment. Some of my favorites are Verity Parsifals and Avalon Acoustics Eidolons. I have also considered going with a pair of tubed mono amps like the BAT VK150SEs. The HT part of the system is pretty much staying as is for now. I may consider a larger REL sub at some point, but the Paradigm is outstanding for the money. The BAT CDP is my favorite piece. This unit simply sounds amazing. The BAT VK50SE is perfect for 2channel and HT integration with the ability to fix the input volume.
The only other two channel pre that I was considering at the time was the BAT VK30. The Cary in my opinion was more accurate from top to bottom, but the build quality of the BAT was better. The BAT had something going on in the midbass region that I did not like. I would love to have a VK50SE or a VK51SE, maybe a later upgrade. The original Sovtek tubes in the Cary are very nice and have an extended top end, however the ones I had were a little noisy for me, so I worked with Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio, where I purchased the SLP2002, and he recommended a Russian 6H23 that is quiet and a pleasure to listen to. The ease of the HT bypass is wonderful and one of the reasons I was looking at this preamp to start with. The AVM20 is also a very nice preamp, but without the tubes, the soundstage looses depth and a sense of wholeness. One thing the Cary needs is a good power cable. I have tried a few and found the Elrod PCs to sound the best. It is nice to have both XLR and RCA inputs and outputs to work with giving you plenty of options. The tubed headphone output is also very nice but you have to have fairly sensitive headphones or it will not drive them the way they need to be driven. Overall I would say the Cary is a great buy and sounds terrific. It does need a good power cable to show its full potential however, as I have found that inadequate power to this unit flattens the soundstage and dampens the dynamics.
As Sogood said, Nice System. I have been thinking about the SLP-2002. Would you share your experience with the unit and what other pre's you have compared it to?
Thank you. I had the Pass X250 and it crossed over to A/B all the time with orchestral music playing and when the volume was turned up, so I figured why not go to the X600s. They did the trick. The X600s are so powerful the meter almost never even flickers. They control the speakers period. I have a feeling I will need to spend quite a lot more money on speakers to upgrade to something that really makes a difference. The Paradigm 100 v2 has a very flat response and does not color different frequencies like many speakers that I have heard. I am very interested in hearing Paradigm's new Signature Series when it arrives. The Rel subs, Stadium and above, are a great choice for anyone with an integrated system as it does both 2 channel and HT so well. I would however like to have at least the Stentor III if not a Studio III since I have heard there is no looking back.
Nice system, I'll bet it does sound just as good as you say it does. Everyone always says that the big Paradigm's just need a little power to do their thing and you've solved that problem!, I like your choice of sub also.
