I'll start off by saying I'm not very good at writing touchy feely reviews.
So this Amp is something very special, and somewhat unique because of its circuit topology. I've read the few reviews online, and some describe this amp as having a MOSFET output, while others state the use of Bipolar output devices. If any of them took the time to look at the outputs, they notice that Cary has wisely chosen a class A cascode amplifier design, using both MOSFET and Bipolar outputs. The Cascode was first used in the 40's with a couple of triode tubes. I have not seen this design in any other (SS/tube) headphone amps, but I like how it sounds in this one!
I've rolled in a few different Russian tubes, and I'm very much liking a matched set of 1970 Reflector plant 6n23p's. In case you did not know, the input side of the Cary HH-1 is a pair of 6922 tubes, then the levels are brought up to Headphone level via the cascode class A outputs.
I've been using a Schiit Valhalla and Lyr for the last 3+ years. This Cary out does both of the amps in everything! by a very wide margin(at $1595. it should). I would not pay $1600. for this beast of an amp, only because of the vast selection of good amps out there for under $1500. I got mine used for $800. and at that price, I've yet to hear any other amp that can even approach the SQ of the Cary.
The Amp has a unique ability to give you tons of detail, without crossing over to the land of harshness. The image is very nice, placing music behind, in front, and everywhere in-between.
The midrange is silky and full, NEVER sounding thin. As I write this a track by Bebel Gilberto came on and I feel as I could float away in the currents of her voice. I never got these sort of illusions from my Schiit gear.
As for the Bass, Deep, detailed and neutral. Not over whelming and no too light, just right in an absolute correct way. I find the overall tonal quality of the amp to be right down the middle. I never feel any need to do any sort of EQing.
I'm sure the Bifrost 4490 is helping out a bit, as far as getting every last detail out of the music. I'm getting Sooooo much more info from my music with the Cary. And it's not just info, it's feeling and emotion. The Cary just feels like a living creature.
I'm running Senn HD650's, Fostex TH500RP and Oppo PM-3's and all sound fantastic with the Cary. My source is a Mac tower, toslinked to a Schiit Bifrost 4490 DAC.
I think if Cary had put any effort into pushing this amp, it may have been a Hugh hit. So I gotta say this, This amp is one of the best out there(at any price), and Cary is piss poor at sending out demos for review.
Like Schiit, Cary is Made in the USA. Is Fully discreet. I'm glad there are companies like Schiit and Cary. They are very different (imo), as Cary is all about Tubes and making music sound nice, whether the music was made nice or not. Cary does have a house sound(warm and sweet). Schiit is more about value for the dollar, and because they sell direct, you'll get a great product that would cost you more to build yourself. Cary's going to cost you more because they have established retail dealers. If the HH-1 was made by Schiit, I think it would cost around $900. But it would also have a more SS sound(the Schiit house sound)IMO.
So this Amp is something very special, and somewhat unique because of its circuit topology. I've read the few reviews online, and some describe this amp as having a MOSFET output, while others state the use of Bipolar output devices. If any of them took the time to look at the outputs, they notice that Cary has wisely chosen a class A cascode amplifier design, using both MOSFET and Bipolar outputs. The Cascode was first used in the 40's with a couple of triode tubes. I have not seen this design in any other (SS/tube) headphone amps, but I like how it sounds in this one!
I've rolled in a few different Russian tubes, and I'm very much liking a matched set of 1970 Reflector plant 6n23p's. In case you did not know, the input side of the Cary HH-1 is a pair of 6922 tubes, then the levels are brought up to Headphone level via the cascode class A outputs.
I've been using a Schiit Valhalla and Lyr for the last 3+ years. This Cary out does both of the amps in everything! by a very wide margin(at $1595. it should). I would not pay $1600. for this beast of an amp, only because of the vast selection of good amps out there for under $1500. I got mine used for $800. and at that price, I've yet to hear any other amp that can even approach the SQ of the Cary.
The Amp has a unique ability to give you tons of detail, without crossing over to the land of harshness. The image is very nice, placing music behind, in front, and everywhere in-between.
The midrange is silky and full, NEVER sounding thin. As I write this a track by Bebel Gilberto came on and I feel as I could float away in the currents of her voice. I never got these sort of illusions from my Schiit gear.
As for the Bass, Deep, detailed and neutral. Not over whelming and no too light, just right in an absolute correct way. I find the overall tonal quality of the amp to be right down the middle. I never feel any need to do any sort of EQing.
I'm sure the Bifrost 4490 is helping out a bit, as far as getting every last detail out of the music. I'm getting Sooooo much more info from my music with the Cary. And it's not just info, it's feeling and emotion. The Cary just feels like a living creature.
I'm running Senn HD650's, Fostex TH500RP and Oppo PM-3's and all sound fantastic with the Cary. My source is a Mac tower, toslinked to a Schiit Bifrost 4490 DAC.
I think if Cary had put any effort into pushing this amp, it may have been a Hugh hit. So I gotta say this, This amp is one of the best out there(at any price), and Cary is piss poor at sending out demos for review.
Like Schiit, Cary is Made in the USA. Is Fully discreet. I'm glad there are companies like Schiit and Cary. They are very different (imo), as Cary is all about Tubes and making music sound nice, whether the music was made nice or not. Cary does have a house sound(warm and sweet). Schiit is more about value for the dollar, and because they sell direct, you'll get a great product that would cost you more to build yourself. Cary's going to cost you more because they have established retail dealers. If the HH-1 was made by Schiit, I think it would cost around $900. But it would also have a more SS sound(the Schiit house sound)IMO.
The old USA tubes however are fabulous IMHO and worth seeking out and paying for. . I personally have been using a very unusual Mullard the CV-2943, which is bright when compared to the Mullard house sound. Besides the Mullard I also like the Hicksville Amperex ikt's a white label tube
In addition the current production tubes by New Sensors are truly good eclipsing many Old Stock tubes. They are truly new and not some pull or find in a repair caddy. You might want to check out the Gold Lion tubes they have been getting very good 'press' . I will stop there, obviously I have just scratched the surface.