Description

What to add next? I just bought the Cary to replace a NAD 515 carousel and was a bit disappointed in that the change didn't overwhelm me. I am thinking of changing the interconnect, but to what? Listen to mostly jazz, classical and opera.
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Components Toggle details

    • Cary Audio Design CD-300
    20 bit, 8x os
    • Unison Research Aria S 2K
    15 Watt, Class A
    • Klipsch kg4
    • Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference MK II
    • AZ Satori
    • Shunyata White Mamba
    For the CD player
    • Shunyata Sidewinder Gold
    For the amp
    • Hubbell Cryo'd 20 Amp outlet
    From Audio Metallurgy
    • CableIsolators Large
    nice ceramic piece for getting the cable off the hardwood floor

Comments 10

Owner
Arthur,
Thanks for your kind words - the amp is truly wonderful - I am always tempted to buy diferent speakers to see what it can really do, but I never know what to get! -
Best,
Jim

jimlisa98

So cool to see someone use that fine S2K as their amp. I feel that is one of the most underrated amps around. I almost bought a Simply 2 (very similar sound surprisingly) long ago and have kicked myself for not getting it since. Now I have speakers that need more power but one day I will get an S2K and find some high efficiency monitors to make a killer bedroom system. Arthur

aball

Owner
I am getting the upgrade/change bug, again, as usual. I am looking to change speakers, most likely to monitors. Listen to mostly 50's jazz at low to moderate levels. Any suggestions? Thinking maybe Silverline SR 15, Proac 1SC, or...?

jimlisa98

Owner
Thanks to all the 'Goners out there that have helped me transform my system from commercial low fi to a system that is really pleasing. Any and all suggestions are always welcome. My listening tastes are jazz, mostly hard bop/trio, with most listening done at low to moderate volumes. Thanks again.

jimlisa98

Owner
Thanks for everyone's input. I listen at low to moderate volume. The 317 attracted me because of its warm sound. I listened to an Anthem 1 and it just didn't sound "right." I think you guys are right, though, I was just hoping I didn't have to replace the 317!

jimlisa98

I just took a look at the Unison Research Unico, man what a sweet piece! Pure triode input stage mated to a MOSFET output, I'd love to try one out. Looks great too.

gunbei


As to Gunbei suggestion I completely agree and want just to point out a simple philosophy on that case: your NAD was successfully hiding downsides of your NAD carousel and now it's unsuccessfully revealing the strengths of your Cary CD player. That means that if you trade your AudioQuest Vipers for RadioShack wires and get VTL IT85 or Pathos for example you'll definitely benefit much more. You can also research Unison Unico integrated hybrid amplifier and order it for the audition almost free+shipping.

marakanetz

As Marakanetz suggests, cables may be the reason, but I think the culprit could be the NAD amp. The Cary is a fine player and would probably benefit from a better amp downstream.

You listen to classical, opera and jazz. At high volumes or moderate listening levels? How would you characterize the sound of your system and what improvements were you hoping for?

The Klipsch KG4s are classics, they might benefit from an integrated like the YBA Integre, Audio Refinement Complete or Electrocompaniet ECI-3.

gunbei

Owner
Thanks for the response. I should add, too, that the power cord on the Cary is a Shunyata Mamba (not the Black Mamba, but its predecessor). I should add, too, that I am not disappointed in the Cary, I just thought that the difference would be more dramatic.

jimlisa98

are you willing to get an interconnect that is half-price of your CD-player??
i think you should look somewhere else. if you do not like the performance of cd-300 you should give it back to dealer or simply sell it and change it.
tastes are all different and there is no wonder to it.

marakanetz

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