Page 1 of 2

Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:54 pm
by Gerry D
I am selling my Cary 300 SEI.

http://www.caryaudio.com/products/class ... 00SEI.html

This is a beautiful sounding integrated amp.
A few members have heard it and remarked on the great sound quality.

And it looks beautiful !

Built in USA to the highest audiophile standards.

Silver point to point wiring.
Zero feedback design.
"The CAD-300SEI is essentially two of Cary's CAD-300SE monoblock power amplifiers ($3800/pair) combined in one chassis with a volume control and a class-A triode line stage. The compact (14" by 14") 300SEI is a visual work of art, with a chrome chassis, shapely 300B output triodes up front, and angled output transformers."

It is also a wonderful headphone amplifier:
"The front panel is also home to a ¼" headphone jack, which is activated by a small pushbutton on the top plate. This selects between the headphone output and the Music Post loudspeaker output terminals. When listening to the 300SEI through headphones, you're hearing the entire amplifier right off the output transformers—no op-amp circuits to drive the headphones here. Switching between loudspeakers and headphones is accomplished by a gold-plated 10A relay. "

Many reviewers have raved about the headphone capabilities.

More powerful than you might believe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtAu4lhZKOs

Quite rare on this side of the Atlantic. Highly regarded with terrific reviews. But,honestly, to hear is to believe.

"More important, the 300 SEI excelled at the SET strength that so often goes unremarked: It played melodies with organic, unmechanical, sinewy rightness and flow. The Cary caressed the strangely beautiful melody of the third movement of Brahms's String Quartet 1 in a recording by the Juilliard Quartet (CD, Sony S2K 66285)—there are some sneaky dynamic shadings in that one, too, and some unexpected pizzicato notes from the cello, all of which came across similarly well—and brought an extra dose of drama to even very compressed rock drumming, such as Mitch Mitchell's fills on Jimi Hendrix's Axis: Bold as Love (CD, MCA MCAD-10894). Throughout its time here, with music of almost every sort, the 300 SEI was always at least pleasant and inviting, often compelling and musically insightful—and never fatiguing or uninteresting." - Art Dudley, Stereophile

http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/398

"It offered exceptional sound staging, with plenty of depth and very specific images of individual musicians. The resolution in the treble was extraordinary. I don’t ever recall hearing a bell ring with such presence, or having the harmonic trail last so long. If you are looking for great pace and timing, this amplifier does it an order of magnitude better than any other amplifier I have heard."
Jerry S
10 Audio


Western Electric 300B valves
JJ Tesla 300B valves
Full Music Gold 6SN7 valves
Cary 6SN7 valves

i.e. 2 full sets of valves - to buy all of these new would cost maybe €1,500.00 alone.

I am selling Cary 300 SEI and 2 full sets of tubes for €2,500.00 complete.

Happy to demo to interested parties.
Thanks for reading,
Gerry

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:39 pm
by Diapason
Wow, don't know if I could part with that. Wish I had more money for toys! Best of luck with the sale.

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:19 pm
by Gerry D
Cheers Simon. Hope I don't regret it.
I'm buggered with this Hi Fi bug. :-)

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:42 pm
by jaybee
now would be a good time for my winning lotto ticket to land...

I've always wanted a Cary set amp...

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:59 am
by Yamnick
Gerry D - if You ever will be around Longford let me know pls. I'm very curious how that jewel works with my Paradigm Signature S2 speakers. Also headphone part should be interesting - I have wonderful pair Q701 with Schiit Lyr (which is one of reference amps for that hphones) and many people over the net loves 701's with Your amp !

Anyway - beautiful piece of audio engineering, good luck with sale !

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 1:46 pm
by sdiesel77
Hey Gerry,

What you re planning to get instead?

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:21 pm
by Gerry D
Come to Dublin Yamnick. Bring a fat wallet ! Go home happy with a very heavy load. :-)

Hi Steph. How's tricks ?
The bells to ring pretty soon. Huh ?

I'm looking at the Classe CP 800 pre/dac. Had it for a couple of weeks now and it's awfully impressive. A high end audio "swiss army knife" of sorts.
The plan is to hook up the CD, Mac Mini, Cassette deck,Phono pre and de telly [!] all into the CP 800.
Then lock myself in the room and only open the door for food and cheques in the post. :-))))

So the hunt is on for nice power amplifier[s].

I'm dying to borrow one of Fran's Pass F5's to see how they pair up.
Driving the Frugels hence lowish power isn't an issue, so the choice is large.
Although the Hi Fi fund is much diminished.

Cheers,
Gerry

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:30 pm
by sdiesel77
Ehehe indeed! The bells will ring in just one month! :-)

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:11 pm
by Fran
F5 ready for you!!

Re: Cary 300 SEI - Single Ended Triode - 300B - Class A

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 2:19 pm
by Gerry D
SOLD. Thanks to all for interest. Gerry