Интегральные усилители — Carver SLI-80HS

The SLI-80HS is a valve integrated amplifier from Cary Audio of Raleigh, North Carolina, and HS stands for Heritage Series. It is a version of Cary's long-running SLI-80, built together with Klipsch to match the Klipsch Heritage Series loudspeakers after Klipsch had used the SLI-80 at shows for several years. It was announced and began shipping in May 2019 at a list price of USD 4,495.

Key specs that matter

The push-pull output stage runs either in triode mode, which gives 40 W per channel with the output stage fully in Class A, or in ultra-linear mode, delivering 80 W per channel in Class AB1, both into 8 ohm, with the mode chosen by toggle switches. The valve line-up is two 6922 input buffers, two 6SN7 pre-drivers and phase inverters and four KT88 output valves. Input sensitivity is 0.45 V for full output, input impedance is 100 kOhm and maximum gain is 34 dB. Frequency response is 19 Hz to 23 kHz within 0.5 dB at full power, and noise and hum are 82 dB below rated output. There are three pairs of RCA inputs, five-way speaker posts with switchable 4 and 8 ohm taps, one pair of RCA line or subwoofer outputs and a 6.35 mm headphone jack. Power consumption is 166 W in operation and 83 W in standby. The amplifier measures 431.8 x 177.8 x 406.4 mm and weighs about 19 kg.

Engineering and use context

In triode mode the screen grid of each output valve is tied to the anode, which lowers output and distortion, while ultra-linear mode connects the screen grids to taps on the output transformer and roughly doubles the power. The output sockets also accept 6550, EL34, 6CA7, KT77, KT90 and KT120 valves, so the owner can change the output valve type. The circuit uses minimal feedback, solid-state rectification and non-inverting polarity. The separate taps match the output transformer to the speaker's impedance. Cary specifies about three minutes of warm-up after switch-on and 100 hours of running-in for a new unit. KT88 valves are fitted as standard, while the KT90 and KT120 alternatives are larger types that can dissipate more power. The chassis is black powder-coated steel with a silver or black aluminium faceplate and knobs, and wood side panels in Black Ash, Cherry or Walnut and a removable valve cage are optional.

Pairing

The Klipsch Heritage Series speakers are the intended partners, as their high sensitivity makes the triode mode enough for high levels. A powered subwoofer connects through the RCA line output.

Alternatives

The Cary Audio CAD-300SEI is the single-ended 300B valve integrated amplifier of the range.