Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Audio Connection in Seattle

Summary:
I keep waiting for some stereo magazine to discover this little "gem". With all the press Cary has received as of late (the V12 and 1610)I would think that Listener or someone would get a hold of this and discover what we, who already own one, have discovered. I originally had the 50, then upgraded to the 50A, plus oil capacitors. Those are a MUST! What a huge difference! They were worth every dime!
I have heard the 50B and was not as impressed as I was with the difference between the 50 and the 50A. Cary still keeps on surprising me with the quality of their tube gear. I have had several tubed preamps (Audible Illusions, VTL, C-J)
and none were better (or as good) as the Cary. Treat yourself and go listen. Better yet, buy one before others find out how good it is and the price goes up.

Strengths:
Astonishing soundstage for what appears to be a "nothing"preamp!Marvelous with vocals and jazz, heck, with everything!

Weaknesses:
Have not found any yet. If any, limited inputs but I only use two anyway: CD and phono (I have a seperate phono stage).

Similar Products Used:
Audible Illusions 3

Summary:
The SLP-50A is a gem. At $1295, this is perhaps the best sounding pre-amp available. It is incredibly revealing. Compared to pre-amps twice as much in price, the SLP-50A removes several "veils" from between the speakers and the listener. Instruments are precisely imaged and bass extension is startling. It is limited in features (3 RCA inputs and 1 RCA output), but it really was designed with an emphasis on the utmost performance. Due to the simple layout inside, modifications for the hobbyist are an option. If necessary, one of the inputs can easily be re-wired for a second output. This little guy may have too much "flair" for some people, but there is a simple remedy. Modifying the volume to be a shunt control results in a smoother sound. Cary recently changed to the SLP-50B, with 6922s instead of 6CG7s (the result is not yet known). You cannot go wrong here...

This is a wonderful complement to a tube amp and very revealing speakers (i.e., Maggies)

Strengths:
Absolutely stunning performance for $1295

Weaknesses:
Sacrifices features for performance, which is how the priorities should be set anyway

Similar Products Used:
Sonic Frontiers Line Series Pre-Amps

Summary:
I use this preamp with the 805C monoblocks. Simply awesome. See my review of the 805c's
questions e-mail
mrrjm@mediaone.net

Strengths:
Hand wired point to point, very simple.

Weaknesses:
Get rid of the mute switch on the front and replace it with an on/off switch