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McIntosh 2105 vs Cary SLI-80

Both the Cary SLI-80 and the CAD 300 SEI are great integrated amps. Either of them will sound great in the right room, with a good matching pair of speakers (depending on the listener's tastes). Personally, I have desired having either amp for a long time. However that is based on my tastes in music, having a small dedicated listening room and speakers (ProAc response 1SCs) that are a great match for either of these amps. Note - I have had the opportunity to listen to both of these in my system/room.

It is all personal choice - if possible go listen to the Cary's or even better see if you can audition them in your listening room & system before making a decision.
 
Before you Replace the Mac 2105, you might want to try a better preamp than the Adcom. That Mac is a keeper, and I'm not even a big fan of Mac Equipment. I believe you can do better than Adcom to feed that fine Mac Amp (assuming it's working correctly). I know when I use the Preamp in my Bryston Integrated Amp to feed my Audio Design PA100 Power Amp The SQ improved Dramatically compared to my already respectable NAD Preamp. These Amps are all SS, but you can expect the same effect with better equipment whether there All Tube or a Tube/SS Combo.

If you want to include Tubes in the mix you might consider using a Tube Preamp (I would definatly want a remote control if your buying new).
A Tube Preamp (perhaps a Cary Unit or a Matching higher end Mac)/SS Power Amp provides the best of both worlds IMO. A SS Power amp like your Mac 2105 will drive any speaker to it's full potential, and thanks to those meters need never be driven into dangeriously high clipping, or Over Power lower rated Speakers. A Tube Power Amp on the other hand works best with speakers with a reltively Flat Impeadance Curve, the lower power ones (under 25 wpc) require High Sensitivity Speaker's, and some speakers require the much High Damping Factor's of a SS Amp which Limit's Speaker Choice. That is the last thing I would want to do.
 
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dsd-7 said:
Merry Christmas everyone! Hopefully Santa brought everyone some nice things. I have recently been using my Mcintosh MC2105 with a freshly recapped/restored C29 preamp and am really enjoying this combo. However, the Cary SLI-80 is still tempting me. Do you guys think I would be wise by selling my Mcintosh 2105/C29 combo in order to get into a tube system via the Cary.

I have also looked at the Cary 300sei but am kinda worried about the meager 15watts/channel. I would definitely have to change speakers if I went with the 300sei.

So I'm basically looking for support or advice as I can't really audition these Cary units. Please let me know if you have any input whatsoever. Thanks to all and Merry Christmas!!!
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It sounds like you really really want to dabble a bit in tubes, which I can definitely understand, but there is no way I'd be selling such a great McIntosh system to do that.

If keeping the Mc gear and buying the Cary is just an impossible financial hurdle for you to overcome, maybe you should consider going with something a little less expensive to get your feet wet in tubes first, before selling the Mc gear. I am thinking that something like a nice Dynaco or one of the great little tube amps from Decware might be just the ticket. That way you could give tube gear an extensive test drive in your system and compare it head-to-head against your McIntosh gear and make an intelligent decision based upon real experience.

If, on the other hand, you do decide to pull the trigger on a Cary, you really should give a Manley Stingray a listen too before you plunk down your $$$. Best of luck on your decision! :music:
 
Thanks so much for all the input so far guys! It is very helpful. Charles 1973 mentioned upgrading the Adcom. Charles, you are correct. I updated the Adcom preamp a while back with a Mcintosh C29...Huge upgrade!...especially after I had the unit recapped/restored. I also have a Dynaco st-70, which I periodically incorporate in my system. I LOVE the midrange, but it sounds somewhat "mushy" overall compared to my Mcintosh 2105. The midrange sounds so lifelike, natural, smooth, etc. So the Dynaco is giving me a taste of tubes, and I'm longing for more of that sound signature. I listen to everything from folk, jazz, blues, classic rock, and acoustic music. If I could pick up a used Cary, I may be able to keep the Mcintosh system and compare. Thanks again for all the comments everyone. It really is a lot of help.:music:
 
I have a MC2105 amp and C29 preamp that makes up my solid state gear and I love them both. For tubes I went with a restored Fisher 500C and will never part with it. It's just a fantastic tube receiver.
 
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