First, I would like to say that Cary Audio is outstanding company with top notch customer service. I am not talking from somebody else experience, but my only. Several years ago I imported Cary 300B integrated myself and glad I did. Not only because the price difference of US vs EU, but simply because this company gives you all support you can only imagine, even you are not located in US and never bought from Cary dealer. This is the best supportive company in my book so far, period.
Back to the amp
Reading both reviews makes me wonder if this amp not to analytical. Even I don't read that in non of the reviewer impressions directly, but cold or pristine clarity with neutral tonal balance somehow translates in analytical in my book, especially if you are willing to use with AKG K701 for example. Also chosen headphones are not particular neutral, most are warmish or simply colored, so, no wonder why they were great through this baby. The mentioned musicality of the amp also doubtful for many differ headphones, again, based on what I have read from these 2 reviews. My guess is that they try to reach both sides with these 2 amps they brought on the market, with one covering warmish and colored headphones and with another, hybrid one, the rest, but then I am just wonder, why not develop one only, like Yoshino did and still produces for ages now, why Cary choose for 2 amps? Maybe it's just a marketing, but I would combine 2 designs in 1 and make hybrid based amp with balanced in and out, done. I think they are able to push the price under/around USD2k for such one and be very competitive with Yoshino and other expensive amps like Zana or BA, but unfortunately, especially for European users, where Cary are very expensive and can't be found very easy used.
I hope they sell a lot, so, we from Europe can buy used
THX
