SLP 05
pure balanced preamplifier
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Cary Audio put 20 years of experience and knowledge about preamplifier design into the SLP 05. Built from the ground up as a statement, no-holds-barred, balanced preamplifier, it is a true masterpiece. Its dual chassis design separates the power supply from the audio circuitry for an ultra-quiet system with tremendous bandwidth and clarity.
The SLP 05 has 2 balanced and 3 RCA stereo inputs as well as a tape monitor loop, cinema bypass, and a superb headphone power amplifier section. Read further to learn more about the SLP-05 and what makes it so special.
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The heart of the SLP 05 is the 6SN7GT tube. This beefy little dual-triode was first created before the second world war. It soon became one of the most widely used and produced tubes in consumer, military and industrial applications. Its success is due in part to its sturdy construction, reliable octal base and relatively small size. Its wide use in RADAR and radio system during the war led to huge quantities of the surplus tubes flooding the market at war's end. Early TV sets often had up to six 6SN7GT and the ENIAC computer had 6,550 of them! There are also several enhanced variants that were designed for military, railroad and industrial use. These are identified by letters added to the 6SN7, like the 6SN7W, 6SN7WGT and 6SN7WGTA
As tubes progressed, miniature 9-pin types took over the many applications for the 6SN7GT, but they still remained in production in the US until as late as 1986, and are still produced in the Soviet Union and China.
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We chose the 6SN7GT for the SLP 05 for its high performance, low distortion, ruggedness and availability. You can still find NOS tubes at HAM fests, flea markets and in the many shops online.
A total of eight 6SN7GT tubes are used in the SLP 05 for the balanced, headphone and gain stages. The tubes are mounted in the top of the "audio" chassis. The sockets for these tubes are mounted well below the top plate of the chassis so that only the glass portion of the tubes is visible. This subtle design makes for a sleek top deck despite having 8 tubes poking through.
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Twin Sifam analog meters on the power supply display the plate voltage and current at a glance. Blue backlighting enhances the overall look of the SLP 05.
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The other side of the power supply chassis houses the main power switch. And this is no ordinary switch: we used a large rotary 2 position switch with silver contacts that is rated for 6 amps. This is then topped with a solid aluminum 2 inch knob. It turns on with a solid click that belies its simple function. Connecting the power chassis to the audio chassis is a custom Kimber cable with locking mil-spec 8 pin connectors.
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The SLP 05 is built by hand. Here we see Joan assembling one of the boards for the SLP 05. She is prepping the lead for the Kimber Kaps and mounting them to the board. We use a mixture of many different caps choesn carefully for their positions in the SLP 05. Resistors are precision 1% metal film types for extreme accuracy and long life.
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Our main listening room has had an SLP 05 since its inception. It has been powered on for years and is always at the ready. If it is playing an SACD from our CD 306 SACD Pro, or vinyl through our PH 302 MkII phono stage, the SLP 05 excels.
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SLP 05 Specifications 
