Customer review of Cary Audio SLP-5 preamp and CAD-120S MkII power amp
There is a point in every system’s evolution when everything finally comes together—when the right components, the right room, and the right listener align. For Thomas Collins, that moment came after adding the CAD-120S MkII and SLP-05 to his system. After logging hundreds of hours and carefully evaluating the results, he shared a detailed review along with photos of his setup, offering a thoughtful perspective on performance, synergy, and long-term value:
“This is my review of the Cary Audio CAD-120S MkII with upgraded capacitors and the SLP-05 Standard Edition.
I purchased this set in late 2025. I logged my first 200 hours when I had both pieces, as the SLP-05 arrived about six weeks before the CAD-120 MkII due to supply line issues. My system also uses the Cary Audio PH-302 MkII phono preamplifier that I bought several years ago with a homemade SUT.
The system consists of a digital front end that I have not concentrated on, as my primary passion is vinyl. The table is a Pure Fidelity Harmony with an Acoustic Signature 1000 arm and, at the moment, a Denon 103 modified by Andy Kim. A crazy affordable cartridge that I just cannot stop listening to.
Speakers are Volti Audio Razz, rated at 97 dB efficiency at 1 watt (standard measurement at 1000 Hz, which comes into play later), along with two GoldenEar self-powered Super Subs. My room is 22 feet wide by 34 feet long.
Cables are mostly Morrow Audio’s top of the line throughout the system, with some Nordost power cords and a very helpful Nordost grounding unit.
On to the new components.
I do not feel the need to talk too much about break-in. Briefly, it sounded good but thin for the first 10 hours, started to fill in up to 50 hours, and at that point was pretty good. However, there was clearly more to come as the tubes and capacitors broke in, and that proved true. At around 300 hours, it felt appropriate to describe the sound.
My musical tastes are wide ranging. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the Brubeck, early Miles, and Bill Evans kind of groove. On the other hand, I still enjoy many of my Steely Dan, Dire Straits, and Alan Parsons albums from the 70s. Joni Mitchell, Patricia Barber, and Rickie Lee Jones also spend time on the table. The system needs to cover a lot of ground.
The synergy between the three Cary pieces is easy to hear. They present realism like few other components. Voices are extremely present with body and life. A sax sounds like a sax, with the bite and overtones that make the instrument unique. Percussion hits with authority and decays naturally.
These components are not analytical. If it is on the record, it is in the presentation, but there is a slight emphasis on sustain over attack, though it is subtle. Compared to a friend’s solid-state system, which leans the other way, this presentation is more natural and ultimately more enjoyable.
It is important to discuss the system in context of the speakers. The Volti speakers have been paired with four different amplifiers. First was an 8-watt SET Coincident Frankenstein monoblock setup with matching preamp. Beautiful sound with incredible texture, but limited headroom. Next was a Triode Lab EL84 integrated at 18 watts, which improved fullness but still lacked complete control. Then came a Cayin A88 integrated at 40 watts, which got closer but still fell short in certain ranges. The current Cary system brings everything together.
The controls are easy to use and have a satisfying feel, although the remote is used most of the time.
There is a saying in the car world that there is no replacement for displacement, and it holds true in hi-fi as well. All speakers have an ideal volume where everything comes together, and this system reaches that point effortlessly. At higher listening levels, the sound remains clean, clear, and fatigue-free. Even at elevated volumes, it is possible to listen for long periods comfortably.
Overall, this has been a highly satisfying purchase. These components represent a significant investment, but the value is clear. It would be difficult to find anything that exceeds them in sound and build quality at this level. Over the years, Cary Audio equipment has proven to be extremely reliable, with no failures or electronic issues.
Customer support has also been consistently helpful and attentive.
This system delivers a level of performance that makes it easy to recommend Cary Audio with confidence”.
Thomas Collins
