I installed the Cinema 12 tonight in my theatre.
My immediate impression: installation is a breeze. I was able to swap out the Cinema 11a for Cinema 12 in literally 5 minutes including entering all the settings. That part was a joy. The menu system seems slightly more responsive than the old Cinema 11a - but it's a quibble difference. The good news is it only gets better from here.
The real surprise came on listening to audio, and I am not sure how the Cary guys have managed to do this, but straight out of the box the Cinema 12 is a noticeable audio improvement; which is amazing to say the least (A: since the Cinema 11a was already so good and B: because the Cinema 12 has not been run in yet). The transparency is what I noticed the most. There is just more depth and air to the sound. It so good I sat and listened to CD after CD for an hour before I finally put my kids to bed. I am quite awe struck at how good this unit sounds. As soon as I finish this email and some dinner I am going back to listening.
I like the way the Cinema 12 locks audio much faster than the Cinema 11a and how it auto detects faster. This is a much hoped for improvement. The Cinema 12 makes me want to audition the Cary SACD player - I think that combination would be staggeringly good.
This new Cinema 12 is simply the best sounding processor I have ever heard (and I have heard a lot over the years). The addition of the extra 2 HDMI inputs is a bonus and for me.
Overall the Cinema 12 has improved in many areas I was hoping (such as signal locking) and in areas I was expecting (audio quality).
Very impressed indeed and I am looking forward to a lot more enjoyable listening.
Joshua Holko, Melbourne, Cinema 12 Owner
I hooked up the DVD 8 tonight, using the 3wpc Fi X 2A3 and the Sonist Concerto 2 standmounts, going in direct, no preamp, and it sounds great! The remote volume control works great. Much more air and subtelty than the Sony I was using, frequency extension is much MUCH better on top and bottom, bass isn't as "thumpy", and extends much lower, lots of foundation without being boomy. Treble is richer and more detailed, no brittleness at all, just natural air and harmonics. There is a harmonica solo on track 9 of the Dave Grusin "Henry Mancini" album that is now mesmerizing and soulful, compared to the dry and thin presentation using the Sony player. Diana Krall's voice is breathy, husky, rich, full-bodied, and floats in mid-air like a wisp of French perfume, hauntingly beautiful, compared to the bloated, rolled-off shadow using the old player.
Bigger soundstage, with lots more stuff going on, much less congested, excellent stereo placement of instruments, I can distinguish placement of the high hat and the ride cymbal now, before they were kind of "together" between the speakers somewhere. Brass section is now made up of separate instruments playing at the same time in unison, instead of a generalized "massed brass" effect, and brass and string ensemble sections reveal individual player's nuance and articulation. Stings are lush and beautifully articulated, crescendos and decrescendos are much more noticeable, and individual string instruments that are getting louder are distinguishable from those that are getting softer, revealing the exquisite taste of the arranger and performers. Dynamics are fantastic, lifelike and punchy. I'm listening to the Dave Grusin "Henry Mancini" album, and I now can appreciate the arrangements much better, one of the best jazz ensemble albums I've heard. The brushwork is much better, little smooshes here and there, very tasty and groovy little dollops and accents going on, a lot of fun to listen to.
I am amazed at the difference. It plays EVERYTHING, CD, DVD-Audio, SACD. A real gem. Thanks very much for the unit. I think you'll sell a lot of theses, and at $1,200, it is definitely affordable. My comments are based purely on the audio output, I haven't tried the video yet, which I'm sure is also first rate.
Randy Bankert, DVD 8 Owner
WOW!!!!
It is great to experience movies (BluRay and HD-DVD) with DTS MasterAudio and Dolby TrueHD. It sounds so good, much better than CD, and far exceeding the DTS/DD of DVDs. It has been worth the wait – finally home theater with high-definition video and high-definition audio. High end to boot!! Please keep the outstanding products coming
Randall Fulton, Cinema 11a Owner
I recently purchased a previously owned 303/300 CD player. All my wife and I can say is WOW!!!. I hoped for, but never expected to achieve this level of "music". No more, does this or that sound "right"?, now it's one disc after another with the occasional, I wish they'd done a better job producing that one. Thanks for the music! After a month and a half of owning the 303/300, we're still staying up too late, listening too long.
Rick McAlice, CD-303/300 Owner
An audiophile buddy of mine who lives only 20-minutes away brought his pair of CAD 500-MB amps to my home about a year ago. We hooked them up to my Cary SLP05 tube preamp. This combo was amazing! We played with this setup all day long and I felt crushed and empty inside when he had to take the twins home.
The CAD 500-MB were very dynamic sounding with crisp clear highs but not harsh, very deep, tight, and robust bass, and always smooth and effortless.
These Cary monos are very nice!
Abe Collins, CAD-500 Owner
I just picked up my Cinema 11 today and I am amazed at the stereo sound difference between it and my Denon 4800 receiver. It ‘s remarkable. I have auditioned my Vienna Acoustic Strauss speakers with various high end equipment for the past three years before purchasing a pair, and they have never sounded better than when matched with this Cary right out of the box.
Please thank everyone involved with developing this product. It’s a job well done.
Bruce, Cinema 11 Owner
After having tried for years to get rid of the sharp S's in my setup, I have finally succeeded! My local hi-fi "pusher", Tor Aamot (the Cary distributor of Scandinavia) has tried to make me change my 5 year old Classé pre-amp for quite some time, for one of the Cary's. To be honest, my previous experience concerning tube preamps (Conrad Johnson X 2) was not very thrilling.
The design of the SLP 98, did not appeal to my wife. BUT, Cary Audio has launched a brand new model, the SPL 03.... PERFECT!
Beautiful looks, modern technical solutions - AND A SOUND TO MATCH! Gone are my unpleasant S's, and very much there is a new sense of listening pleasure. The voices are natural, vibrant and full bodied.
Treble is CRYSTAL CLEAR, and with great attack, but silky pleasant. Stage has widened about half a meter on each side, and there is suddely AIR around the musicians.
In my mind, my SPL 03 must be about the ultimate pre-amplifier, but then again I am sure the new SPL 05 is even better. How is that possible?
Thank you, Cary Audio Design!
Sven-Erik Roeed, SLP-03 Owner
I recently purchased a stack o’ gear (CAD 211 amps, PH 302, SLP 05 and CD 306 SACD) through Audio Connection. You’ve probably heard it before but – holy smokes….my setup makes music like never before. I had the SLP 05 and PH 302 home for audition so I had a pretty good idea what to expect from them when I got my pieces. But those amps! They are simply awesome: the most musical sounding amps I have ever owned. I was ready to pull the switch on a pair of V12R amps but my Mom used to say, “You need it now”. So I went for the 211s, although I was a little concerned they wouldn’t have the balls of the V12R….well, in retrospect that is laughable! They are just amazing. My wife and I are having A BLAST listening to music. All the same stuff, mind, but it’s like we never heard it before, especially the vinyl through the PH 302. As a result I don’t think I’ve got my 306 SACD fully broken in yet but it already sounds good. And the fit and finish on everything is top notch.
I could be richer, but I don’t think I could be happier with the way my stereo sounds. No surprise to anyone because you hear about “system synergy” and I’ve really got it in spades. I am REALLY ENJOYING my purchase, but especially THOSE AMPLIFIERS. Incredible!!
John Connolly, CAD-211, PH-302, SLP-05, and CD-306 SACD Owner
Let’s start with the punch line: The Cary SLP 05 is the single best equipment purchase I have ever made. It is wonderful sounding, convenient to use, beautiful to look at and built like a tank (two tanks, actually – separate power supply).
The Cary is detailed without being etched. It’s smooth without being pudgy, overly warm or “romantic.” I’ve made many purchases that made me very happy. But nothing has done for my system what the SLP 05 has. It’s finally made me stop and listen to the music, and that, for me, is what this obsessive hobby is all about.
I can’t say enough good things about Cary the company – I had a question about the headphone stage (I had a switch in the wrong setting and the phones were not as dynamic as I’d expected) and they were prompt, polite and very enthusiastic about the preamp. The gentleman with whom I spoke told me that the pre was the best they’ve ever built and he was clearly and justifiably proud.
Richard Birke, SLP-05 Owner
John snipped the extra caps and now the preamp is.....PERFECT. The 16db is wonderfully dynamic. Bigger and wider sounding than the orig config, with massive clean volume on demand. If I want it, I now have all of the punch and power that I had with the SLAM-100s... but with the wonderful 805 SET sound. The mids are all there, lush as ever. The subterranean bass is in line now, and the overall sound is linear. High freqs are airy, detailed, and not edgy. Instruments and voices pop out of the air, and I hear layers and details that I have never heard before, especially after upgrading to an Audience AU24 balanced IC between the 306-SACD and the SLP 05. This is one mighty fine pre-amp, and my system sounds better than I ever imagined possible. I can not think of any improvement at all. You nailed it.
Marc Baumgaertel, SLP-05 and CD-306 SACD Owner
This is torture. What’s a curator to do? I can only have so many active displays here at the museum and I want to have it all on display!! Tonight’s feature was the CD 306 SACD, SLP 05 and A 306. The sound was very different than from using my Aesthetix line input on the Io. Way more musical. The A 306 power just brings depth, foundation and solidity to the sound. Amazing.
This is torture. I have to rethink my system. Where would I ever get shelf space for an SLP 05 line stage??? Time to remodel.
Randall Fulton, CD-306 SACD, SLP-05, and A-306 Owner
OOOOHHH MMMMYYYY GGGOOOODDDD!!!!!
This is an incredible preamp. Stone cold out of the box with stock tubes I knew it was special. I put in some old stock Sylvania 6SN7’s and oh my. It is heavenly.
The sound is so so so musical. The soundstage is huge, the bass is incredible. What a magical setup – Cary CD 306 SACD, SLP 05 and CAD 211 AE’s all running in balanced mode. Yummy!!!!
Steven Dennis, CD-306 SACD, SLP-05, and CAD-211AE Owner
I almost gave up on vacuum tube preamps as I was not completely happy with some others I have tried.
Here's a quick summary of my first impressions. Along with it's sweet "tube magic" the SLP-05 doesn't compromise on big dynamics, bass depth and impact, smoothness without losing detail, treble extension without being annoying or bright, and clarity and transparency throughout. I was expecting to lose some dynamics and bass in the SLP-05 which I thought only solid-state preamps could do best. Another vacuum tube preamp I owned also rolled off the treble just a tad but not the SLP-05. Dare I say that the SLP-05 is an incredible sounding vacuum tube preamp in it's own right that doesn't lose any of the best characteristics often found in good solid-state designs -- lifelike dynamics and great frequency extension up and down.
I'm not a headphones kind of guy but I have a pair stored away somewhere in my basement. No sense in wasting those two dedicated 6SN7s now that I have a great headphone amp too.
I'm loving it! It's been powered on playing music all day and night with only a brief break during sleeping hours. Oh and did I mention it's one lovely looking piece of gear! I love the black with gold lettering.
P.S. I didn't audition the SLP 05 before getting mine but instead trusted another "audiophile's" ear. Marc in Seattle is a big Cary fan and he was going nuts over the SLP 05 and I now know why. Of course he's also driving a pair of 805C's with his which only helps I'm sure.
Abe Collins, SLP-05 Owner
I went ahead and purchased a Cary Audio DVD 6 last week and last night received the unit. All I can say to you is that I am absolutely glowing this morning. I've never seen such a pristine image on my TV from DVD's as I saw through your DVD6. Finding Nemo was absolutely beautiful, Toy Story was incredible, Shrek looked like 3d images, and Lord of the Rings looked magical.
While the video surprised me, I was absolutely floored when I hooked up the analog front left/right and put that into an input of my amp to listen to music. Your DVD player is an absolute joy to listen to. Last night I heard cymbals that sounded as such, and upright bass that you could hear the pluck and the note decay...truly amazing. Imaging was spectacular (on par with my Wadia Digimaster 64) and the soundstage was a bit more 3 dimensional than I've had in the past....you could hear things behind the singer but still in the center of the stage. I'm absolutely impressed with the capabilities of your piece and you can bet that I'll be looking for a Cary Tube amp when the time comes for that purchase as well!
ps. My neighbor came over to view bits of Shrek with me and came to the same conclusion... he'd never seen that movie appear as 3 dimensional and lifelike as it appeared on my TV through the Cary DVD player.
Ronald L. Brashear, DVD 6 Owner
I got to borrow a friends new Cary SLP 05 for a few days. All I can say is - WOW! The Cary folks have hit several grand slams this year (IMHO). The CD 303-300, CD 306 SACD, SLP 05 and the new A 306 (Class D amp) are all stellar products. The SLP 05 has a DEEP WIDE Musical soundstage. The palpability of SACD and CD is literally like my analog. Very impressive. Check it out if your local dealer has one.
OLD Vinyl, SLP-05 Owner
I still can’t wipe the silly grin off my face every time I play music. This is one fantastic preamp, especially when some nice 6SN7s are rolled in. Grand Slam home run for Cary, back to back after the wonderful 306-SACD debut. I was skeptical that the SLP-05 would really be that much better than my SLP-98P, but it is in another league entirely.
