Cary F1 sig w/9`s

[beardog03]

I took the 7`s out of play today, and put my Double Minty Fresh 9`s in..

WOW !

I really dig my 7`s, and have 9`s on my SS rig, but again..WOW

I`m a Very happy Beardog !

I just need to get my new AQ speaker cables and see what`s next !

The type 4`s are nice cables , but the Bedrocks should be a step up...
My Cary SLI-80 F1 Signature integrated tube, badass Jag Green babydoll, and the Jolida are singin like it should be...right now the Polk XM Tuna (Signature Model) is playing, and is holding it`s own....:p

I found the 9`s to be evn more directional than I thought, but in the small of a space the should widen out AFTER THEY BREAK IN ...

you know I had to go there...:D

A special thanks for the love Jesse (F1) showed me with the power cable..

I have a MIT S1 Shotgun I/C on the Jolida to amp/pre, and a MIT S3 I/C from tuna to amp/pre..

I am sold on MIT I/C`s...
If I could afford it. I would have S1 Shotgun Bi-wires running to the speaks..
One day I will, but for now....little at a time..

I wonder what Spendor`s , or Sonus Faber`s would sound like......

[dkg999]

Beardog - I personally have never liked the LSi tweeter, more a comment on my ears than a criticism of the LSi's. I have always found it a little schrill. I'm wondering if I heard the 7's or 9's with tubes if my opinion would change? Glad you're having fun!

[beardog03]

I think the tweets are much more laid back with the tubes..

[F1nut]

I`m a Very happy Beardog !

Excellent!!!

[heiney9]

Oh man you guys are so off. The Vifa is such a sweet sounding and accurate tweeter. There is nary a hint of distortion or glare or shrill or siblance. It has truely ruined me for most other speakers with medioce tweeters.

Of course yous guys are entitled to your own opinion :D :) .

Perhaps if I spent a good amount of time with Maggies like you Doug, maybe I'd think the Vifa is notch below, but I certainly don't hear any shrillness whatsover. Listen to sl2000's for 20 years.......which I know you both have. That can be one shrill mofo.

[beardog03]

not shrill or sibilant on any of my gear...they just sound soooo sweet with the Cary.....that`s all...:p

[dkg999]

Just something about the LSi tweeter has never quite worked for my ears. Even before the Magnepans I had issues with it. I have really tried to like it and kept thinking it would grow on me. When I bought new speakers for the bedroom system I tried to like the LSi9's and 7's again. To me the Paradigm and Totem tweeters were much sweeter and blended better with the mid/woofers. H9 - maybe sometime we can put my tube pre on the front of your system and see if my ears like the LSi9's!

[markmarc]

I find the tweeter to be exceptional, smooth and natural. I have the Totem MITES myself and I find them to be brighter than the LSi's. Not harsh at all, God knows Vince Bruzzese would never allow that. I'd love to hear the Rainmakers against the LSi7's or 9's. Now that would be a special event.

Those that haven't experienced tubes are missing out.

[Joey_V]

First of all, Robert... congrats on the setup... the Cary (I know from firsthand eperience) is a great piece! My Cary SLP-98 preamp is happily integrated into my system at the moment. Regarding the directionality of the LSi9, I've heard that before in my setup, hopefully it will open up with time.

Regarding the LSi9 tweeter, as good as it is, it does have a tendency to become slightly harsh and slightly "sizzly" at louder volumes, regardless of what others think, I've heard it and I'm a big proponent of the LSi series. That said, I'm sure the tubes help out by making it more natural though.

[Joey_V]

Perhaps if I spent a good amount of time with Maggies like you Doug, maybe I'd think the Vifa is notch below, but I certainly don't hear any shrillness whatsover. Listen to sl2000's for 20 years.......which I know you both have. That can be one shrill mofo.

Yes, that would open you up to the not-so-sweet side of the Vifa. As smooth as I thought it was, it's not as smooth once you heard better. My 2 cents.

[heiney9]

H9 - maybe sometime we can put my tube pre on the front of your system and see if my ears like the LSi9's!

We will do that soon. I know a_mattison wants to hear the 9's so hopefully we can get together before the holidays at my place. Since the holiday season is already in full swing we may not have time. Perhaps a late Sunday afternoon listening session could be possible.

[heiney9]

Yes, that would open you up to the not-so-sweet side of the Vifa. As smooth as I thought it was, it's not as smooth once you heard better. My 2 cents.

There's always something better.........always. What source are you using? We all have our biases/opinions that's what makes the hobby and the discussion interesting.

[ND13]

Told ya you'd like the LSis on the right tubes.

[Joey_V]

There's always something better.........always. What source are you using? We all have our biases/opinions that's what makes the hobby and the discussion interesting.

The question is not if there is something better, the question is whether the LSi tweeter can be harsh at times... and it can, regardless if something is better.... though I havent heard them on tubes as of yet.

2 cents.

If you're asking me what source I'm using, as we've gone through before, it's probably not for you.

But it doesnt matter, the point is Robert enjoys his setup and that's the great part.

Joey

[heiney9]

Robert enjoys his setup and that's the great part.

Rock On Robert

[Joey_V]

Robert,

You mentioned you have the SLI80 F1.... is this from upscale audio? I know there is such a thing as the SLP-98 F1 preamp, but it's very costly.

How does the F1 compare to the original stock SLI80?

Joey

[beardog03]

Yes, I got it from Upscale Audio...
It has point to point wiring,80 wpc in ultra linear,40wpc in triode..
A pre-amp output for bi-amping or if you want to add a powered subwoofer.
4/8 ohm speaker taps.Jensen oil and copper capacitors...Hexfreds in the power supply: Results in better pitch and definition especially when music becomes complex, and is most helpful in the bass arena.
CD input wired with Kimber Kable...
Real WBT Speaker terminals, Grayhill Selector switch, All triode with zero negative feedback....

I copied most of this from Upscales website., but the bottom line is...

I have never owned or heard a piece of gear that was so dead quiet,
The sound stage is huge and the sound...well it`s really awesome..

and you can get a sunburn from all those tubes heating the room up...

The pic is blue and silver, but mine is Jag green and black...

I just ordered the AQ Bedrocks today...
I also am using a PS Audio Plus Power cord...(thanks Jesse...you were right again !)

[F1nut]

Sweet amp!!!

[beardog03]

thank you , brother..!

Sounds good too !!

[Joey_V]

Robert,

You got me wishing I got the F1 preamp..... damn you.

Joey :)

[beardog03]

what amp did you get ?

[Joey_V]

what amp did you get ?

I have the Plinius SA102 SS Class A amp and the Cary SLP-98L tube preamp....

Both were demoed today by a local audiophile (from HeadFi)... he brought his Axioms over and he wanted to listen to the Axioms and the Strata Minis since he was thinking of upgrading to the Minis.

Bottomline, he gushed over the Cary and Plinius combo.... we ran his T-Amp though my system and as good as everyone says that is, it is not even on the same planet as the big setup.

Anyway, Cary makes awesome products.

I just did a 2 day A/B comparison of the Cary 98 preamp vs the Rogue Audio 99 preamp.

Joey

[beardog03]

From what I understand, the 98 is no slouch !

The are also F1 upgradable....

[Joey_V]

From what I understand, the 98 is no slouch !

The are also F1 upgradable....

By no means is it a slouch my good man.... by no means at all. :)

Joey

[janmike]

Congrats Robert. That is awesome. Cary, MIT S1, playing my song Man.

[reeltrouble1]

Bear,

Glad you are gettin your groove on. The MIT cables are awesome and a great match with your mentioned gear. Polk speakers continue to be one of the absolute best dollar to sound value's in the entire hobby at nearly all levels.

As you said,the day they open up after break in is simply sweet.

Hope you make it to Ant'nys for the next fest my man.

RT1

[SCompRacer]

If I could afford it. I would have S1 Shotgun Bi-wires running to the speaks..

I never had a pair of the S1 speaker cables to try (had S3's), but I experienced a significant improvement in the nether region bass output going from S3 to S1 IC's between my active crossover and bass amp. I would suspect the same is true with the speaker cables. Cable selection would depend on how deep your speakers go too.

While I had excellent results with MIT cables on the Carver Silver Editions/BAT pre amp combination, they did not do so well with my ModWright gear and ESL's. The Harmonic Technology cables excel in my present system.