Cary Audio

Cary Audio

CAD 300 SEI - Integrated Amp / Headphone Amp

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In Store Listening Demo Available

Features:

15 watts per Channel, Single Ended Triode design, Pure Class A, Integrated Stereo Amplifier with 300B output tubes. 3 stereo input pairs, Standard with remote volume control. Metallic blue chassis with clear coat finish. ZERO feedback design.

Within its power range, the CAD 300 SEI integrated amplifier offers the most realistic sound reproduction one could desire for a "high-end" home audio system. Careful design, parts selection and proper circuit topologies contribute to incredible reliability and enjoyment. The CAD 300 SEI presents music with presence and directness, a result of single-ended circuit techniques, which eliminate crossover notch at low levels and also contributes to freedom from listening fatigue.

Review

Circuit Type	Single-Ended Class A
Power Output	15 watts
Input Sensitivity	.42 Volt for full output
Noise and Hum	-90 dB below full output
Frequency Response	20 Hz to 23 KHz +/- .75 dB
Inputs	CD, AUX1, AUX2, Headphone jack
Tubes	1 ea - 6SN7 Input 2 ea - 6SN7 Driver 2 ea - 300B Output
Power Transformer	1 ea - EI Laminate, 200% Duty Cycle
Output Transformer(s)	2 ea - EI Laminate Air Gap, 200% Duty Cycle
Resistors	1% Metal Film
Capacitors	Oil-Filled Coupling
Power Supply Capacitors	2 ea - 1200µF@250 VDC
AC Cord	3 Conductor, Detachable
AC Power Requirements	117/234 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
Consumption	107 watts - Operation
Warm-Up Time	3 Minutes
Break-In Time	100 hours of playing time
Finish	Black Anodized Aluminum Faceplate, Jaguar blue chassis with high gloss Clear Coat finish. Standard with remote control.
Weight	51 lbs
Dimensions	8" H x 14" W x 14" D

80 watts per channel in Class A/B ultra-linear mode, push pull amplifier design, 40 Watts per channel in Class A Triode mode, stereo integrated amplifier, 3 stereo input pairs, sub woofer preamp output, black steel chassis, 6550 output tubes. Standard with remote volume control, has 4 or 8 ohm speaker impedance switches, headphone jack, triode or ultra-linear mode switches and oil filled capacitors. Black anodized aluminum front panel.

Additional features include Soft shoe feet, remote volume control with mute, 4/8 ohm speaker impedance switch, Triode/Ultra-Linear mode selector switches, manual bias, and a headphone jack with 1/4” phone plug connector.

Circuit Type	Push-Pull Ultra-Linear Pure Class AB-1
Power Output	40 Watts - Triode 80 Watts - Ultra-Linear
Input Sensitivity	.45 Volt for full output
Noise and Hum	-82 dB below full output
Frequency Response	19 Hz to 23 KHz +/- .5 dB
Inputs	CD, AUX 1, AUX 2
Tubes	2 ea - 6922 Input Buffer Preamp 2 ea - 6SN7 Pre Driver/Phase Inverter 4 ea - 6550 Output Tubes 2 ea - 5U4 Rectifiers
Speaker Posts	5 way, gold-plated
Tube Sockets	Ceramic w/ silver pins
Power Transformer	1 ea. - EI Laminate, Silicon Impregnated
Output Transformer(s)	2 ea. - EI Laminate, Silicon Impregnated
Resistors	1% Metal Film
Capacitors	Oil filled coupling, (copper optional)
Power Supply Capacitors	2 ea - 1200µF @ 450 VDC 6 ea - 10µF @ 400 VDC Film & Foil
AC Cord	3 Conductor Shielded, Detachable
AC Power Requirements	117/234 VAC @ 50/60 Hz
Consumption	166 watts - Operation
Warm-Up Time	3 Minutes
Break-In Time	100 hours of playing time
Finish	Textured black steel chassis with machined, black anodized aluminum front panel
Weight	42 lbs
Dimensions	7" H x 17" W x 16" D

Following the tremendous success of the 306 line of CD players, Cary Audio Design’s new CD 306 SACD Professional Version includes the latest in SACD, HDCD and CD playback technology. It features a new servo board design with internal components tested to 105° C. The PMD-200 filter has now been replaced with a high quality Burr Brown filter chipset. HDCD decoding is accomplished with the absolute latest software available. Larger, multiple power transformers along with higher current regulators add up to stronger, higher current regulated power supplies. This version continues on with 8 Burr Brown 1792u DAC chips running in a true balanced parallel, extremely low jitter digital to analog converter.

The CD 306 SACD Professional Version features a new servo board design with internal components tested to 105° C. The PMD-200 filter has now been replaced with a high quality Burr Brown filter chipset. HDCD decoding is accomplished with the absolute latest software available. Larger, multiple power transformers along with higher current regulators add up to stronger, higher current regulated power supplies. The internal copper chassis along with a new vented top cover add strength, durability and incredible transport shielding to the CD 306 SACD Professional Version.

For even greater resolution when playing back SACD’s, the internal wordclock frequency has been raised from 11.2896 MHz to 22.5792 MHz. Completing the list is a new aluminum loader tray that adds elegance and greater disc handling care. This version continues on with 8 Burr Brown 1792u DAC chips running in a true balanced parallel, extremely low jitter digital to analog converter. The digital to analog conversion section within the new CD 306 SACD Professional Version may still be used as a stand alone DAC with three separate digital inputs available that are selectable on the front panel.

Cary Audio Design’s CD 306 SACD Professional Version CD Player is rated superb in Stereophile magazine’s November Equipment Report. The CD 306 SACD Pro is recommended by influential and respected reviewer John Atkinson, who thoroughly tests and benchmarks product capabilities. This is important because consumers turn to Stereophile to identify and buy products that best reproduce sound.

One of the things that makes the CD 306 SACD Professional Version special is its Burr-Brown filter chipset. It has eight Burr-Brown 1792u DAC chips running in an extremely low-jitter, digital-to-analog converter. The SACD recovers two-channel Data Stream Direct (DSD) data and feeds it to four Burr-Brown PDM-1792u two-channel D/A chips, four used in parallel for each channel to give dual-differential balanced operation.

The CD 306 SACD Professional Version CD player has the ability to play multi-channel SACD disks as stereo down mix or to play stereo playback of SACD disks. When playing back SACD’s, the internal wordclock frequency is 22.5792 MHz, rather than the usual 11.2896 MHz, which offers even greater resolution.

Stereophile ran tests on an Audio Precision System One and the Miller Audio Research Jitter Analyzer. The maximum output level from balanced jacks was 5.9 V with both CD and SACD data, and it was 2.93 V from the unbalanced jacks. Both sets of outputs preserved absolute polarity. Output impedance was very low, at 198 Ohms at all frequencies, balanced, and 99 Ohms unbalanced.

High, current-regulated power supplies come from large, multiple power transformers and high-current regulators. The internal copper chassis, along with a vented top cover, adds strength, durability, and incredible transport shielding.

Atkinson states, “I enormously enjoyed my time with the Cary CD 306 Professional Version. It’s on the expensive side, but for your $8000 you get a well-engineered, solidly built, superb-sounding player with close to state-of-the-art measured performance. And it has that very useful digital input, for use with a network music player. Recommended.”

For Atkinson’s complete review of the CD 306 SACD Professional Version CD player, see “State-of-the-Art SACD Sound from Cary” in Stereophile’s November issue on newstands.

SACD Mechanism	Triple-beam laser, multi speed SACD transport
Formats	SACD, CD AUDIO (CD-DA), CD-R, CD-RW
Master Clock Jitter	Below measurable levels
Digital Sample Rates (Fs)	44.1, 96, 192, 384, 512 or 768 kHz sample rates for CD playback to the analog audio outputs, 44.1, 96 or 192 kHz Fs for digital inputs
Digital Filter	Burr Brown DF-1706 Software with HDCD decoding
Digital/Analog Converters	8 channel (4) Burr Brown DSD 1792U
Analog Filter	3rd Order Bessel
Analog Outputs	Balanced XLR, Single-Ended RCA
Digital Outputs	AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz 16 bit to 192 kHz 24 bit
Digital Inputs	AES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz 16 bit to 192 kHz 24 bit
Digital Input Sample Rate	32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz or 192 kHz, Accepts 16, 20, or 24 bits
Communication	RS232 full remote configuration interface
Power Input	Configured at the factory for 100-120 or 200-240 Volts AC @ 50-60Hz
Power Consumption	65 Watts
Weight	37 lbs
Dimensions	5" H x 18" W x 15" D

AUDIO (CD)

Frequency Range	2 Hz - 22 kHz (44.1 kHz)
Amplitude Linearity	0.1 dB (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Phase Linearity	3 degrees (20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Dynamic Range	131 dB (1 kHz)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	127 (1 kHz)
Channel Separation	109 (1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion	0.0004% (1 kHz) THD
Audio Output Level	Single-Ended 3.0 Vrms (220 Ω output impedance)
Audio Output Level	Balanced XLR 6.0 Vrms (440 Ω output impedance)

AUDIO (SACD)

Frequency Range	2 Hz - 100 kHz (2.822 MHz)
Signal System	1 bit DSD
Sampling Frequency	2.822 MHz
Dynamic Range	132 dB
DSD System Clock	Frequency 22.5792 MHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	128dB
Audio Output Level	Single-Ended 3.0 Vrms (220 Ω output impedance)
Audio Output Level	Balanced XLR 6.0 Vrms (440 Ω output impedance)

HDCD decoding, single CD playback at 44.1, 96, 192, 384, 512 or 768 kHz sample rates, remotely selectable with the remote control handset or with a front panel button. Digital buffer stage to eliminate jitter! 24 bit Burr Brown 1792 DAC chips used for D/A conversion, C-core power transformer, fully regulated power supplies, and fully shielded drive mechanism. The vacuum tube outputs have a removable panel above them for tube exchange or 'tube rolling' without opening the chassis. Received the "2005 Product of the Year" award from Electronic House magazine.

Transport	3 Beam CD/DVD ROM drive
Frequency Response	2 Hz - 22 kHz (44.1 kHz)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	127 dB (1 kHz)
THD	0.004% (1 kHz)
Channel Separation	109 dB (1 kHz)
Power Consumption	60 Watts (15 standby)
Digital/Analog Converters (DAC)	(2) Burr Brown PCM1792u 24 bit DAC chip sets
Sample Rate Settings	44.1, 96, 192, 384, 512 or 768 kHz sample rates for CD, CD-R or CD-RW disk playback to the analog output, digital output Fs of 44.1, 96 or 192 kHz
Audio Output Level	Single-Ended 3.0 Vrms
Balanced XLR 6.0 Vrms
Analog Outputs	(1) pair balanced via XLR connectors
(1) pair single-ended via RCA connectors
Features	48 bit DSP digital buffer circuit, bubble level balance on the chassis top panel, adjustable metal cone feet, variable analog volume control, vacuum tube and solid state output sections with remote selection or front panel button, dimmer light control for display, C-core power transformer, fully regulated power supplies, RS 232 port control for custom installation systems, chassis top removable panel above the 12AU7 vacuum tubes in the output stage, HDCD decoding with Cary DSP-300 digital filter
Digital Outputs	(1) Balanced
(1) Coaxial
(1) Toslink
Power Input	100-120 or 200-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
Finish	Black or Silver Anodized Aluminum Faceplates, Black Epoxy Coated Steel Chassis, black anodized cone feet
Weight	38 lbs
Dimensions	4" H x 18" W x 15" D

SLP 03 - Balanced Stereo vacuum tube preamplifier (Great Match for Model 2.125 Amplifier)

The SLP 03 combines the desirable attributes of low noise, low distortion and ease of use making it an excellent preamplifier choice for your home audio system. This stereo vacuum tube preamplifier offers one XLR balanced input pair and six pairs of RCA single-ended inputs making it a very capable preamplifier. The adjustable brightness front panel display shows the current settings and volume levels during use. The SLP 03, when combined with a power amplifier is capable of outstanding musical reproduction using your favorite music.

- 1 Dual RCA preamplifier outputs
- 1 pair Balanced preamplifier output
- 1 pair Balanced preamplifier input
- RS-232 control
- Power Amplifier triggers
- Tape Monitor Loop
- Cinema Bypass Input
- Full remote control for volume, input selection and channel balance.

Preamplifier Inputs	1 pair balanced XLR connections 6 pair single-ended RCA connections
Preamplifier Outputs	1 pair balanced XLR connections 2 pair RCA connections
Controller Connectors	(1) 3.5mm “mini plug” jack for IR input (3) 3.5mm “mini plug” jack for trigger out RS 232 full remote configuration interface
Vacuum Tube Compliment (4) 12 AU7 dual triode tubes Volume Control Range 63.0 dB Gain 16 dB Input Impedance	100 k Ohms on RCA 200 k Ohms on XLR
Output Impedance	500 Ohms on XLR 500 Ohms on RCA
Rated Output	RCA - 1 Volt (8 volts maximum) XLR - 2 Volts (16 volts maximum)
THD	<0.03% Frequency Response +0.5 dB from 5 Hz to 50 kHz Residual Noise <90 dB Power Input 110/117 or 220/234 Volts AC @ 50-60 Hz
THD+N Power Consumption	75 watts
Finish	Black or Silver Anodized Aluminum Faceplates, semi gloss black steel chassis
Weight	25 lbs
Dimensions	4.5" H x 17" W x 13" D

The Model 2.125 power amplifier design offers high output power and high efficiency in an attractive small chassis. The Model 2.125 is rated at 125 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load and it is capable of doubling the output power to 250 watts into a 4 ohm load. This type of performance is only possible with rugged, over designed power supplies. The output terminals are designed for bi-wire operation. Efficient, musical and cool running are all great design aspects of the Model 2.125 power amplifier.

Circuit Type Solid State, Class D Power Output	2 x 125 watts @ 8 Ohms 250 watts @ 4 Ohms
Input Sensitivity	.7 Volts
Frequency Response	+/- 0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 50 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio