My next preamp: Cary SPL-90 CLONE

Feanor

Feanor

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With apology to Chinese and/or clone haters (and/or Canadian haters) ... Sorry about that: suck it up or quit reading now.

I have ordered from AliExpress this Cary SPL-90 clone. I ordered mine with the PSVANE 'ART' 12AU7-5 tubes, (can be ordered without tubes)

Whole case & remote.jpg

UPGRADE.jpg
ZeroZone_PCB=PR112A-SPL90 U1.jpg

Of significance, note that the PCB maker is 'Zero Zone' and the part is PRT12A-SPL90 U1.

The preamp comes with remote control input selection and resistor ladder volume control. Only one pair of SE outputs unfortunately. This case and the remote control components are use with a dozen of more different clone types.

LET'S BE CLEAR: I ordered this preamp for FUN without excessively high expectations. I chose the Cary clone knowing the Cary's reputation for classic tube preamp sound, (warm, lush, etc. -- Cary owners fell free to comment). Since my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 is far from being such a preamp, I thought I'd try something the might fit the tube pre stereotype. Assuming it arrives in working order, I will first pair it with my Purifi 1ET400A power amp.
 
Last edited:
Feanor said:
With apology to Chinese and/or clone haters (and/or Canadian haters) ... Sorry about that: suck it up or quit reading now.

I have ordered from AliExpress this Cary SPL-90 clone. I ordered mine with the PSVANE 'ART' 12AU7-5 tubes, (can be ordered without tubes)

View attachment 36046

View attachment 36045
View attachment 36047

Of significance, note that the PCB maker is 'Zero Zone' and the part is PRT12A-SPL90 U1.

The preamp comes with remote control input selection and resistor ladder volume control. Only one pair of SE outputs unfortunately. This case and the remote control components are use with a dozen of more different clone types.

LET'S BE CLEAR: I ordered this preamp for FUN without excessively high expectations. I chose the Cary clone knowing the Cary's reputation for classic tube preamp sound, (warm, lush, etc. -- Cary owners fell free to comment). Since my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 is far from being such a preamp, I thought I'd try something the might fit the tube pre stereotype. Assuming it arrives in working order, I will first pair it with my Purifi 1ET400A power amp.
Click to expand...

Cary IMO isn't actually stereotypical tube. They do have a big bottom end I found them to have good detail without being analytical. They aren't exactly luch. Find a classic Conrad Johnson for some romance. Or, an Audio Note kit.

It's interesting the more tube gear I hear the more I realize most is beyond the stereotype and are different character from one another.

The Cary with Class D should be an interesting match.
 
Mr Peabody said:
Cary IMO isn't actually stereotypical tube. They do have a big bottom end I found them to have good detail without being analytical. They aren't exactly luch. Find a classic Conrad Johnson for some romance. Or, an Audio Note kit.

It's interesting the more tube gear I hear the more I realize most is beyond the stereotype and are different character from one another.

The Cary with Class D should be an interesting match.
Click to expand...

I take you comments serious from a person of experience. I'll hang with the Cary since it was specifically recommended as great with the Transaudio 'D5'. However I deem that the Purifi is more likely to reveal the pure nature of the Cary clone.

Would you consider the C-J PV12 a "classic"? There are a least one PV12 clones at AliExpress. The other available clone is the so-call Conrad Johns 'CL' which I'm told is base on later model C-Js.
 
Michaels HiFi said:
We knew he was lying when he said he'd let it go. He literally can't help himself.

I no longer get bothered by people like that and simply pity them. He posts this stuff as he's desperate for attention at any cost.

So sad to see.
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Ironic perhaps. When Audioshark stated up I was given to believe that a main purpose was to foster more civil discussion than at Audio Asylum. I'm not finding this to be the case.
 
Feanor said:
I take you comments serious from a person of experience. I'll hang with the Cary since it was specifically recommended as great with the Transaudio 'D5'. However I deem that the Purifi is more likely to reveal the pure nature of the Cary clone.

Would you consider the C-J PV12 a "classic"? There are a least one PV12 clones at AliExpress. The other available clone is the so-call Conrad Johns 'CL' which I'm told is base on later model C-Js.
Click to expand...

I would think the PV12 to be a Classic tube sound or have some romance to it. I had the PV14ls2 which had I think only 2 tubes I later upgraded to the CT-5 with four 6922 tubes. The CT-5 was a better sound but I was surprised it was also more neutral than the PV14, the PV14 having the more lush tone. I thought both were excellent preamps. Except for the clacking noise the volume makes. It would be interesting to see if the clone has that noise. It is definitely a CJ thing, with the volume control you get the noise. To my understanding the older the CJ model the more "golden glow" sound you get. The PV12 being older than PV14 I think it would be a safe bet.
 
Feanor said:
Ironic perhaps. When Audioshark stated up I was given to believe that a main purpose was to foster more civil discussion than at Audio Asylum. I'm not finding this to be the case.
Click to expand...
I've found that there are some very smart members here and some really interesting discussions. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed it being any more civil than other forums I read and the discussions here are more prone to turn toward political stuff. "Civil discussion" and internet forum don't seem to go together, but still a lot of good ideas exchanged.
 
Feanor said:
Ironic perhaps. When Audioshark stated up I was given to believe that a main purpose was to foster more civil discussion than at Audio Asylum. I'm not finding this to be the case.
Click to expand...
Go look in the mirror your playing the victim card is precious. No really go back and read your posts, it is self inflicted. So now I will hit the ignore button.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I would think the PV12 to be a Classic tube sound or have some romance to it. I had the PV14ls2 which had I think only 2 tubes I later upgraded to the CT-5 with four 6922 tubes. The CT-5 was a better sound but I was surprised it was also more neutral than the PV14, the PV14 having the more lush tone. I thought both were excellent preamps. Except for the clacking noise the volume makes. It would be interesting to see if the clone has that noise. It is definitely a CJ thing, with the volume control you get the noise. To my understanding the older the CJ model the more "golden glow" sound you get. The PV12 being older than PV14 I think it would be a safe bet.
Click to expand...
I suspect that C-J PV12 clones with resistance ladder volume control such as THIS one will click when the volume is changed because they are relay controlled. The Cary SPL-90 knock off I'll be get has the very same remote volume mechanism.

S4aa0123c2d004e01a458e52b162957671.jpg
 
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