and how it evolved to the SLI-80 Signature F1
Then to the All-triode F1 version
However high you set the bar, the Cary SLI-80 Signature clears with room to spare, providing you all the performance features on which Cary has forged its impeccable
reputation. With the kind of performance that makes other manufacturers' rear ends pucker. A look under the hood will make it obvious why.What jumps out at you immediately is the superb build quality for which Cary is famous. Hand-built by craftsmen is the USA , you'll find point-to-point wiring throughout. This omits the need for circuit boards that get brittle and ultimately fall apart, while at the same time providing greater dependability and imparting superior sound quality. P-to-P also makes it easier to service and upgrade. The design is "conservative" so the tubes aren't run hard. The SLI-80 Signature pampers those babies like you would a thoroughbred, using tube rectification. Thus, the power tubes aren't turned on "hard" but get a gentle, soft start. And unlike many integrateds, the SLI-80 uses tube fuses; they're easy to replace and therefore it's easy to own, even for the less-technically-inclined audiophile. Oh yeah, the transformers are rated for 150% of the duty cycle too.
More Kevin, tell me more! OK, how about two amps in one. The SLI-80 Signature cranks out 80 WPC in ultra-linear mode or 40 watts in triode which allows you to fine tune the sound to your taste. Ultra-linear means just that: a more linear, accurate sound. Simply flip a switch (even while you are listening) and voila! The glory of Triode in Cary fashion. The result is a more up-front, warmer mid-range.
Now, how about a few of the esoterics:
Remember the days of yesteryear when you would listen to great music on a good set of headphones? The SLI-80 will refresh your memory. It has a tube headphone pre-amp that's quiet as a church mouse, and also runs on Triode/UL. I have customers who have bought this amp ONLY to use it for headphones. It's that good.
A pre-amp output for bi-amping or if you want to add a powered subwoofer.
4/8 ohm speaker taps. But on this unit you don't have to move wires. Just flip a switch. Though your speakers may say 8 ohms no assume that is what will sound best.
As the SLI-80 Signature became more and more popular, we started having Cary build them with Jensen Oil and Copper capacitors as a factory-option. These caps give you more clarity and more mid-band reality and is a significant upgrade.
So then… as I am prone to do… I went overboard. I use one of these in my own office (cause it sounds bitchin' and looks cool) and was getting a new demo built. I spoke to Dennis Had, the owner of Cary Audio, and we thought over every upgrade that we had done for customers, and what worked best.
The result is the SLI-80 Signature F-1. I'm a fan of Formula One racing where every single nut and bolt is special and nothing is looked over to increase performance. So like a Formula One car, we added the following:
Jensen oil and copper capacitors: Gives you the midrange we crave by giving you a more pleasing midband, while increasing clarity & texture.
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: We could actually do all of them, but it could get quite expensive. So we did one input and you put your most critical component there. Want them ALL done that way? Call me to get one special-built.
WBT Speaker terminals: Other folks will always refer to "WBT Style" terminals. These are the real ones which cost many times more, but hey dude… it's where
your speakers get the music. Don't cheap out.Grayhill Selector switch: All the music goes through the selector switch for the components you plug in. Grayhill makes gold plated premium switches that are typically pretty expensive but when we put it in our super mondo-cool package, it isn't so bad.
Special finishes: If you go to all this work making a super-cool amp, why not have a super-cool finish? Remember… this is going in home-boy Kevin's office and I
don't want to look like a schlub. So we had my personal unit done in anthracite gloss black instead of the regular flat black, and we had a nice silk screening done in silver
leaf. Add a silver faceplate and you have something really special. I even had a new script done just for us that is similar to the script on the big 805C and 211 mono
power amps and makes the amp look like it costs $10,000.So after I got mine a dude sees it and has to have one for himself.
Well…. it's expensive to do all this. Cary made it for my personal use so I get a great deal. Through a special arrangement I am having them done in a limited edition so you get a great deal too. Then you have a unit that is truly special.
Now, what if you want your SLI-80 Signature to have more snap on top and bottom?
In case I have not made your head spin already, we have another upgrade. We can make the preamp section of the unit direct-coupled. This is a first, made by the hand of the Master, Dennis Had, just for us. We listened to it carefully here and the result is more pop on the top and bottom. We can advise which is best for your needs and speakers.
You might be asking: "What else could they possibly do?"
Enter the SLI-80 Signature F1 All-Triode with zero negative feedback
As if we couldn't make things confusing enough, now we have a brand new addition to the SLI-80 F1 family: All triode with zero negative feedback. By running the amp without a triode/ultralinear switch and taking out all the negative feedback, the resulting sound gives you even more midrange and bass bloom and an absolutely incredible sense of space. This is approrpriate for the customer who loves that triode sound but wants more power than a traditional 300B amp, and is not looking to play at volumes to rival the rock band Kiss, or even worse, one of their tribute bands Mini Kiss.Perfect for the guy who doesn't want to crank it up a lot, or if you are looking for all the glory of a triode amplifier, but maybe your speakers need a little bit more juice than a typical SET amp can give you.
In true Cary Audio fashion, Dennis had added two blue LEDs under the 6922 tubes to add a little extra pizzazz, and when it combines with that warm orange glow of the tubes creates a sight that is very unique. The triode only/zero negative feedback SLI-80 F1 comes direct coupled only, in all the same finishes listed below.
In stock:
SLI-80 Signature w/ Oil/Copper caps in standard finish, direct coupled or not
SLI-80 Signature F-1 direct coupled or not in the following color choices (limited availability):
Click on the links below for examples of each color.
Anthracite black w/ gold leaf graphics and black faceplateThis finish is more subdued, and really makes the tubes stand out more. Simply stunning!
Anthracite black w/ silver leaf graphics and silver faceplate - Shown above
Midnight Blue Metallic w/ silver leaf graphics and silver faceplate Jaguar Carnival Red w/ gold leaf graphics and black faceplate or silver leaf graphics and silver faceplate
British Racing Green w/ gold leaf graphics and black faceplate