Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio  

Support Head-Fi by starting your Amazon.com shopping by clicking here

Follow headfi on Twitter!

Follow Rocky Mountain Audiofest (RMAF) on Twitter!

Head-Fi Is Sponsored By:

Featured

Head-Fi's Sponsors
(Premier Sponsors bolded)

Featured

Can Jam '09
(2009 International
Head-Fi Meet)
Impressions,
Reviews, Photos


Can Jam '09 graphic
courtesy of Edwood

Click on the links below
for Can Jam '09 photos,
impressions and reviews:

blubliss 1, 2, 3
dallan 1, 2, 3, 4
santacore 1, 2
nhat_thanh 1, 2
vpivinylspinner 1, 2, 3
amb 1
augustwest 1
eaglejo 1

johnsonad 1
shellylh 1
Jon L 1, 2, 3, 4
Germancub 1
zippy2001 1
IPodPJ 1
bhd812 1
Edwood 1, 2
abellaw 1, 2
minidiscs 1

atothex 1
HighLife 1
achristilaw 1
SiBurning 1, 2, 3, 4
SiBurning 5, 6, 7
LFF 1
Iron_Dreamer 1
doping panda 1
morphsci 1
ironbut 1
shaizada 1
jasper994 1, 2
jp11801 1
Uncle Erik 1
drubrew 1



(More impressions/photos
still being added.)

 


 

Head-Fi Blogs
and Facebook

Check out Head-Fi's new
Blogs section.

Featured Head-Fi Blogs:


Jude's "Take My Word"

 From Japan - by Sasaki

Currawong's Blog

(
Start your own Blog!)

Attention
Facebook Users



Join the official
Head-Fi.org
Facebook Group


Featured

Head-Fi's Sponsors
(Premier Sponsors bolded)

Featured

  #1 (permalink)  
Old 01-12-2009, 07:53 PM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default Cary Audio Xciter - Integrated Amp / Headphone Amp

New for Cary Audio is the Xciter - Integrated Amp / Headphone Amp.

Cary Audio Xciter - Integrated Amp / Headphone Amp Retail $2750
Call For Tube options.
In Store Listening Demo Available.

Look to see this at Can Fest 2009 in Charlotte North Carolina & National Head-Fi Meet Can Jam 2009 in LA, California



Features:

5 watts per Channel, Single Ended Triode design, Pure Class A, Integrated Stereo Amplifier with 6L6 Power tubes and 12ax7 input tubes. 3 stereo input pairs. Standard with remote volume control. Metallic black chassis with clear coat finish. Silver or Black faceplate available. ZERO feedback design. Headphone output and Speaker binding posts. Subwoofer outputs for left and right channel.

You would think that a 5 watt channel amp would easily crumble under the strain of a pair of speakers, but during our review multiple speakers at different sensitivities where used. The amp never fluttered. An increase to 10 watts per channel is accomplished with the swap of the 6L6 tube to a KT88. We have Gold Lion and EAT KT88 tubes available as well as other options. The amp is self biasing and multiple power tube options are available. 6L6, EL34, 5881, 6550, KT88 and any other power tube with a matching pin arrangement.


The stereo vacuum tube power amplifier has a great history at Cary Audio Design. The superb lineage of CAD power amplifiers and integrated amplifiers have consistently garnered fantastic reviews for stable power output, incredible value for the money and sound quality along with
‘Best Buy’ and ‘Class A’ ratings from magazines and reviewers worldwide. Building on this storied legacy, we are releasing the CAD Xciter Integrated stereo vacuum tube power amplifier. This innovative stereo power amplifier was conceived to be a small desktop integrated amp to be
companion to the new CAD Xciter Digitial to Analog Converter. In the Cary tradition, it features a gorgeous cabinet and has a subtle touch of translucent blue LED back lighting to complement the natural beauty of the vacuum tubes. Although it may be small in physical size it is imbued
with the full spirit of Cary Audio. Its 5 watts per channel in class A triode mode plays much bigger than you might expect and its sublime musicality is just what you would expect from Cary Audio. For headphone lovers, a standard ¼ inch diameter, 3 circuit output jack is conveniently
located on the front panel to pipe the music to your favorite set of cans. The circuitry is optimized to provide a good match for all high quality headphones. A front panel switch allows the user to select between the speakers or headphones. Additional features are the subwoofer
outputs - one for each channel, and the motorized remote control function for adjusting listening level and mute. You will absolutely enjoy listening to this lovely amplifier – it truly is an Xciter! The input circuit is a single-ended design with three (3) switched RCA stereo inputs per channel.
The vacuum tubes in each channel consist of one (1) 12AX7A (dual triode) for the input gain and for the driver stage and two (2) 6L6GC output power tubes. The filaments of the 12AX7A stages are direct heated with filtered and regulated 12 VDC for lower noise performance. The first
section of 12AX7A provides the low level preamp gain stage and the second section provides the phase inverter and differential driver stage. Both sections of the 12AX7A are operating in Class A with minimal feedback. The 6L6GC output tubes are configured as triodes and operated in a class A push-pull configuration and are continuously auto biased through cathode auto biasing circuitry. The laminate output transformers are customized to match the output circuit requirements and have a signal handling capacity well beyond the amplifiers demands to avoid any problems with linearity and saturation. Five-way Gold plated speaker binding posts provide reliable connection to your speakers. Frequency response at full rated output power is from 17 Hz to 23 kHz with less than 2% total harmonic distortion.

The circuitry for the entire amp is designed into a high-grade two-layer printed circuit board with extensive ground planes and heavy copper circuit traces on the power bus circuitry. Shielded coaxial cable is used for critical signal path component interfaces. This design approach imparts
an extremely clean layout and a very high performance level. A toroidal power transformer provides the foundation for a compact, yet high efficiency power supply. The power supply features seven (7) 100 micro farad low impedance low profile electrolytic capacitors which yields
an abundant total of 700 micro farads of energy storage and provides an excellent dynamic performance capability. The high voltage power bus is further enhanced with a power choke in a pi-L configuration for additional filtering to the preamp stage and with two (2) high speed .22 microfarad Kimber Kap polystyrene by-pass capacitors to further enhance the superb transient response characteristics under demanding musical passages.



The CAD Xciter integrated Stereo Amplifier is the perfect match for the CAD Xciter Digital Analog Converter. Together, the companion Xciter tandem will beautify your office or listening room and deliver a no compromise musical listening experience in a small package.
__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 01-13-2009, 02:15 PM
ghostmusic's Avatar
100+ Head-Fi'er
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 177
Default

Looks like a sweet package. It'd be crazy not to sub in Genalex KT-88 reissues in place of the 6L6; very curious to hear how this Cary sounds in comparison to the SEI300. I can't imagine a Cary tube amp NOT sounding sweet, and with the added heft & freq. extension of the KT-88, this should be a fantastic tube headphone amp (I tried the Gold Lion KT-88s in my Leben CS600... now KT-77 reissues are in there... they're really fantastic tubes & good to know you carry them, Drubrew!). The only thing I'm not crazy about is the cursive font of the Xciter moniker... but I'm vain. I hope to listen to this amp one day, soon!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 01-13-2009, 03:55 PM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default

My thoughts exactly. I'm going to try and do a long review as time permits with all kinds of tubes and phones. So far I have these tubes to try.
Stock Cary (chinese) 6L6
Electro Harmonix 6L6 Vacuum Tubes
Electro Harmonix KT88 Vacuum Tubes
Sylvania NOS 6L6GTB green Label Vacuum Tubes
Tung-sol 6L6GC-STR Vacuum Tubes
EAT KT-88 Diamond Ultra Premium Vacuum Tubes
Gold Lion KT88 Vacuum Tubes

Stock Cary (chinese) 12ax7
Sylvania NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
GE NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
Philips NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
EAT Cool Valve ECC803S (12AX7) Ultra Premium Vacuum Tube

And I'm sure I have some others laying around.

I will have both the Xciter and Cad 300SEI at the Charlotte Can Fest 2009 and National Can Jam Meet.
__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 01-13-2009, 04:01 PM
krmathis's Avatar
Headphoneus Supremus
10*2kai
Head-Fi's Most Prolific Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 30,063
Default

Wow! What a sweet system...
Xciter DAC and headphone amplifier.
__________________
:: Feedback ::

MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → K1000
MacBook Pro → Isabellina → Signature 30.2 / β22 → SRD-7 Pro → SR-007BL
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 01-13-2009, 08:04 PM
vcoheda's Avatar
Headphoneus Supremus:
High-End Forum Volunteer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 8,909
Default

nice stack of components. : )
__________________
1. Cary 306 SACD »» RSA B52 or HR Bal Home »» HD650 / HD800 / SR325 / RS1 / HF2
2. Cary 306 SACD »» HeadAmp KGSS »» HE60

FS: Balanced
RS1 (buttons)
Click Here

Head-fi
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 01-14-2009, 03:30 AM
ghostmusic's Avatar
100+ Head-Fi'er
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 177
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by drubrew View Post
My thoughts exactly. I'm going to try and do a long review as time permits with all kinds of tubes and phones. So far I have these tubes to try.
Stock Cary (chinese) 6L6
Electro Harmonix 6L6 Vacuum Tubes
Electro Harmonix KT88 Vacuum Tubes
Sylvania NOS 6L6GTB green Label Vacuum Tubes
Tung-sol 6L6GC-STR Vacuum Tubes
EAT KT-88 Diamond Ultra Premium Vacuum Tubes
Gold Lion KT88 Vacuum Tubes

Stock Cary (chinese) 12ax7
Sylvania NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
GE NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
Philips NOS 12ax7 Vacuum Tubes
EAT Cool Valve ECC803S (12AX7) Ultra Premium Vacuum Tube
Awesome. I'll look forward to your tube reviews. As for the 6L6 family, my favorites were the Sylvania 6L6GB black plates and Sylvania 5932 dual black plates (which are military spec'd 6L6WGA)... but I still prefer the KT-77s or KT-88s, which seem to me the best compromise between the linear balance of the 6L6 family and the midrange-y lushness of the EL-34s.

Well, I'll keep my eyes peeled, Drew.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 01-16-2009, 07:39 AM
some1x's Avatar
Headphoneus Supremus
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 1,963
Default

Would be interested in how they drive K1000s as well
__________________
MSB Power DAC → ECSS → Grado HP2 or TriodeLab 2A3 → Tetra 120U Speakers
Feedback
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 01-16-2009, 03:49 PM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default

Should not be an issue as it easily drives speakers. We will have a set at the Charlotte Can Jam next month. So I will post my impressions here on it.
__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 01-26-2009, 10:10 PM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default New MySpace Cary Audio Xciter video from CES

New MySpace Cary Audio Xciter video from CES

Dennis is to Funny...

Smok'n!!!! Too Hottttt.....
__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 01-27-2009, 09:25 PM
Bostonears's Avatar
500+ Head-Fi'er
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 580
Default

What's the price of the DAC?
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 01-28-2009, 12:56 AM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default

Retail will be $1500 but I am having a preorder sale conact me directly for details. Will start shipping end of Feb.
__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 01-30-2009, 04:36 AM
insomniac's Avatar
Contributor
500+ Member:
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New York City
Posts: 2,837
Default

Hey Drew, how does the 300SEI compare and contrast to the Xciter Amp? Seem to be products of comparable purpose.
__________________
Head-Fi Feedback

Current home rig: Sooloos -> PS Audio PerfectWave DAC -> RSA Raptor -> Sennheiser HD650 w/ Cardas
Current portable rig: Apple iPod Touch 8GB -> Shure e4c w/ Triple Flange Tips
Current speaker rig: Ayre CX-7eMP -> Ayre AX-7e -> Gallo Reference 3.1


Team Binging and Purging of Audio Gear
Absolute Sound Collection for sale / VINTAGE PCDP BLOWOUT SALE / HP EliteBook 8530w for sale
Apple MacBook Pro 17 for sale / Etymotic ER6i for sale / HeadAmp Pico Amp/DAC for sale
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 01-31-2009, 04:25 AM
Head-Fi'er
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Madison,WI
Posts: 81
Default

Are they combined?
If yes, it is similar to the type of Grace 901 or 902.
__________________
SJ
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 01-31-2009, 03:10 PM
drubrew's Avatar
Sponsor
Moon Audio
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 578
Send a message via AIM to drubrew
Default

They are 2 seperate pieces. The Dac has 2 coax inputs (1 RCA, 1 BNC), 1 USB input and 1 Toslink input.

Details to follow soon.



__________________
Drew Baird
Moon Audio
308 Chrismill lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-649-5018
Email: drubrew@earthlink.net
Web: http://www.moon-audio.com
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 02-12-2009, 06:45 PM
Bostonears's Avatar
500+ Head-Fi'er
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 580
Default

Hi Drew,

A quick question about the subwoofer outputs on the Xciter amp:

I see from the Xciter user manual on the Cary web site that the speaker outputs are switched off when the headphone output is activated, but the manual doesn't say anything about whether the subwoofer outputs are also switched off. Do you happen know?

*ADDED*
OK, make that a couple of questions:

Also, as far as I can tell, the subwoofer outputs are full range, i.e. no low pass crossover. If that's correct, are they just preamp outputs? If so, that could present some interesting options for bi-amping, or for second zone speakers, in addition to subwoofer applications.

Last edited by Bostonears; 02-12-2009 at 10:30 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Reddit!Facebook it!
 

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 08:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.2
Head-Fi.org