Looks great! I am not surprised to hear you're loving the F1 Cary preamp. As I know, the Berning is accurate, dynamic and vice-like in controlling bass, buy nobody would accuse it of tonal richness....The Merlin's are also very precise, so in that setting the slightly warmer, more tonally fleshed out Cary sounds like a winner!

I myself have been out of audio for the past year, having sold off my Nagra tubed separates in favor of a much cheaper and simpler Rowland SS integrated, but not for long. I sold the Rowland, an I'm thinking about the upcoming Berning gear, but to get me through the wait I just ordered the Cary SLI80 'F1' from Kevin Deal. Im thinking it will involve me more than the Rowland, which sounded "nice" for a SS deal, but left me wanting....

artg March 02, 2007 11:45

SBurton - You absolutely, positively without a doubt should really seriously get the wiring upgrade. It is a PROFOUND improvement. Was that clear enough an endorsement? Seriously, it is smoother, more involving and delivers music with effortless ease. Really special It is worth every last penny yo get it done. Trust me :>)

artg May 19, 2005 23:01

i would audition the GR before buying. i had them once, and ended up returning them. Maybe it was my room (which is live), but to my ear tey sounded somewhat forward and a bit strident, but layered soundstage and imaged nicely.

Of cource that was with different amplification (SS gear), and i had not yet placedthe echobusters in the corners, and maybe i didnt let them break in enough..... anyway, i liked the Audience as much (or better), and they didnt cost nearly asmuch as the GR. George cardas will tell you that unless everything else (including room) is perfect, that his Golden Cross is a more suitable choce..... anyway, its still very good, but you shoud listen before plunking down that kind of $$.

I wont even tell you about the Stereovox's, that would be kind of mean:) I think they were worth every penny (and i spent plenty of pennies on them!)

I will post again after the wiring upgrade.

artg March 01, 2005 07:30

Hi. Very nice. Before upgrading the CDP, I would also look at speaker cables. Not that the Vampires aren't good, but I think you'd get real improvement from trying some new speaker cables. Audience makes a very nice AU24 which is very affordable. Cardas + berning/Merlin is also well regarded. Of course if cost is no object, take a hard look at stereovox. They are the last cables I will ever buy.

BTW, the Merlins probably need even more than 250 hrs. Did you Berning come with the wiring/cap upgrade? Im about to get mine done....

artg February 28, 2005 00:02