Cary Audio customer, Victor C., shared with us his journey of finding his perfect Cary Audio system consisting of our DMS-650 network audio player and SLI-100 integrated amplifier.
“I have been on the journey of pursuing a truly high-end home audio 2-channel system for a few years now. I have traveled to various dealers around the state and listened to anything and everything that I could find. I also attended the Audio Advice Live Show in August, which of course, provided the opportunity to hear far more gear than I ever had previously. At the last possible minute, I stumbled upon Cary Audio when doing a Google search for high-end audio in Raleigh. I had already purchased my Klipsch Cornwall IVs at a show discount. Now I was on the hunt for an integrated amplifier and streamer. My initial setup consisted of my Astell & Kern Kann Alpha feeding an old Onkyo TX-NR 747. Quite far from high-quality.
Then I was allowed to take home a Rotel 1572 and a McIntosh MA352 for an in-home trial from the shop where I bought the speakers from. That setup included a Bluesound Node, which was recommended by one of the shops where I was auditioning amps. The logic was that I could just add a high-quality DAC to get the system where I needed to be. Honestly, I didn’t notice that unit’s flaws when connected to either the Rotel or the McIntosh. But after testing the SLI-100 and the DMS-650 at Cary’s facility in Raleigh, I decided to take the plunge on the SLI-100. There were several magic moments in that super-sized room that made quite an impression on me. Even via Bluetooth, Ozzy’s vocals were 3 feet from my face on Hand Of Doom. Switching to the USB-connected hard drive and cranking up Race With The Devil On A Spanish Highway by Al Dimeola literally made me jump out of my seat. And this was in a room that was probably 25 by 50 with offices and bathrooms with doors open to the rear and windows on one side. The music leaped from the system with an urgency and a snarling attack. That is exactly what I had in mind. Little did I know at that time the crucial role played by the DMS-650 in that equation.
I was initially pleased with the SLI-100 but not blown away. It was immediately obvious that the integrated amp had tremendous clarity and realism. As a lifelong drummer, I immediately noticed how the cymbals sounded like cymbals and decayed naturally. The vocals were urgent and crisp, reflecting everything that the singer originally put into the recording. The tightness and fullness of the bass was also much appreciated. But with a piece of equipment as revealing as the SLI-100, very soon, trouble arose. The Bluesound seemed to do just fine at lower to mid volumes. But as soon as the volume was raised to more raucous levels, everything just fell apart. So much background noise. No longer any separation of instruments and voices. The sound got ugly quickly. That had me thinking of the sweet sounds and the power of the McIntosh. I was actually considering returning the SLI-100 and purchasing the MA352, which was priced significantly higher than the SLI-100.
Now I can truly say that I am beyond happy that I did not make that choice. Instead, I decided to give the DMS-650 a go. Not much to lose with the 30-day return policy in effect. Upon connecting the DMS-650, of course, I immediately started playing some tracks. Ok, clearly better than what I had was my thought. But worth thousands more; hmmm, I wasn’t sure at all about that. I only had a short time to listen before I had to run out to a band rehearsal. When I returned from that rehearsal, I commenced listening. Within about 30 minutes, something strangely magical started happening. Music started sounding dramatically better. The music started to sound HUGE. Instruments were dancing all around me. The depth and decay of the tom toms, even on frantic fills, were shocking. I finished up the session by playing a few tracks from the Billy Cobham album, Spectrum. By this time, the magic was in high gear. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The height and depth, the extreme clarity. The fullness and weight just fill the room. This is exactly what I was longing for. I began excitedly texting friends. It was difficult to describe. I was just telling people they had to hear it to believe it. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if I was overreacting. The entire next day, I continued to burn in the DMS-650 with internet radio. I was at the gym that night, as usual, listening to my Apple music. I was thinking to myself that Apple music really sounds quite a bit better than it used to. I decided to use Airplay and test the system with Apple music. With the memory of the previous night’s listening fresh in my mind, I thought not too bad. I may actually listen to Apple music on this system. After that, I had the Made in Japan album by Deep Purple on my mind. I switched to Qobuz and queued up Child In Time. I was immediately blasted with a dramatic increase in volume, and the weight and hugeness of the sound seemed almost impossible. The system was now playing at concert volume. Outrageously loud. But I couldn’t dare turn the volume down. Everything sounded PERFECT. Ian Paice’s drums were thundering 10 feet away from me. Blackmore’s leads were assaulting my eardrums in the best way possible. The speed, clarity, and ferocity were insane. Lord’s organ dominated the room. Gillan was embedded in my brain. I was beyond speechless. This was quite literally better than being at the concert. The concert volume was matched, but the quality and intensity of the sound were at a completely different and far better level. And, of course, this story has a comical, if not embarrassing, ending. At this point, it was 10:15. Our home is on a corner lot, with the homes directly next to us still available for purchase. Across the street in the front is the model home, which is idle in the evening. So, the point is that the nearest neighbor is across the street on the side of the house. I had the system playing so loud that the poor neighbor had to walk over and ask us to turn it down! I really wasn’t kidding when I said that the system was playing at concert volume. I knew that it was insanely loud, but I truly had no idea that it would penetrate a neighbor’s home. And again, at that volume, the sound was pure perfection. Steve Huff said that this specific combo with Klipsch legacy speakers was a metal lover’s dream. I must concur. Without a doubt, this system loves to get rowdy, and the sound only seems to improve with volume. Of course, everything sounds just wonderful at low to mid volumes as well.
Two nights later, I had a couple of musician friends over. We were hanging out on our fancy patio with the fireplace on. I asked if they would like to retreat upstairs and hear some music. That was a definite yes. My friend, Ty, had already heard my system with the Bluesound. Needless to say, he was as shocked, surprised, and overjoyed as I was with the new sound.
One of the joys of owning equipment at this level is the gift of sharing that experience with others. And man, did my buddy appreciate it. He was audibly gasping, shaking his fist, shrieking in happiness. These are all the same reactions that I have had while getting to know the Cary Audio gear. Ty repeatedly said, “It’s SO HUGE!” Indeed, it is.
In conclusion, I believe that I have exactly what I set out for when this journey started. I wanted a system that filled the room with clarity, depth, fullness, and brute power when needed. All those boxes have been checked. I truly feel that the system that I have in place now delivers everything that I could want. I feel no desire whatsoever to explore other gear or sounds. I suppose there is always something better, or rather at this level, different in a way that your ears may find more pleasing. But based on all the gear that I have heard, including everything at the Audio Advice Live show, I believe that I would have to spend a bare minimum of 10k and, more likely, 20-30k to get anything dramatically better than what I have now. Even then, I’m not so sure. All the elements are here. Precision, speed, clarity, weight, depth, realism. The other pleasant surprise has been the Cary Audio app. I like it quite a bit. Of course, the look is bold, and the fonts are huge, which is simply a reflection of the DMS-650 itself. The app has been smooth, with 0 issues to report, and it is user-friendly. In addition, help and tip menus appear within the app. I wasn’t really expecting a polished experience, but it sure feels like I have one.
I strongly urge anyone in the market to give Cary Audio a listen if possible. If not, take the leap and give the 30-day trial a shot. But I also strongly recommend one of the DMS units as a critical link in the chain. I can safely say that it was the most important link and easily added the most quality and enjoyment to the system thus far. I am guessing that inserting a DMS unit into the chain of even lesser amps and speakers would produce similarly shocking results. The difference between the Bluesound and the DMS-650 wasn’t merely a night-and-day situation. These were two different worlds. A separate stratosphere. My initial thoughts were that the difference was a 400-500% improvement. I expected an audible and obvious difference, but this was a quantum leap on steroids. For anyone reading this and building a system, do NOT overlook this critical component, and do NOT believe anyone who tells you that the Bluesound is good enough. There are companies that offer various upgrades to the Bluesound for a reason. It’s not good enough for a first-class system as is. At this point, the sounds of that MA352 are a distant memory, no longer even a consideration. I definitely couldn’t be happier with these purchases. Now, if I could just get a listening session down to less than 3 hours…”
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