Hello Jack, I own the following vacuum tube preamplifiers: Quick Silver full function, Audio Research SP-10mk.2, Audio Research SP-11mk.2, Marantz model 7, MC-Intosh C-22
I've been looking for a Cary SLP-05 on the used board. I liked the sound of my SLP-03, buy as the hobby grows so does the need for connections. So I must move on.
If you like the sound of Cary, you won't like the sound of McIntosh tube preamps. I owned a C 2300 and I didn't care for the sound nor the looks. The front panel lights with all of the different colors and shades of the same colors look like a Christmas tree decorated by someone who is color blind. It's very garish IMO.