Since 1989, Cary Audio has been a leader in the high-end audio industry, offering a wide range of products and exceptional services. We provide upgrades and modifications for both current and discontinued products to ensure your Cary gear performs at its best. Explore our services below, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for assistance with your Cary Audio product. Thank you for your continued support!
Upgrades
Upgrade price does NOT include any applicable Bench Fee ($140) or Shipping Costs.
CAPACITORS
Looking for a really nice way to upgrade the sound of your amp or preamp? Upgrading the coupling capacitors will provide a sound quality improvement that is well worth the money. We offer three types of capacitor upgrades.
Mundorf MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold Capacitors
The MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold is the undisputed top capacitor from Mundorf. It combines the best of Mundorf’s technologies and over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing of audiophile masterpieces into a unique capacitor of equally unique musicality. Metallised polypropylene is used as the dielectric guaranteeing low tolerances and the highest standards of safety in use thanks to its self-healing properties. After going through Mundorf’s top quality winding process, the capacitor winding is potted by hand into aluminum tubes to minimize microphony. The gold plated, asymmetrical pure copper wires make it possible to assemble it in a classic horizontal style.
The Mundorf MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold capacitors have a full, sweet sound quality yet also are more articulate and revealing of low level detail than other high-end audio capacitors. The mid and low-midrange areas have better definition as well as more weight and body revealing the true character of acoustic instruments. A stand-up bass completely comes to life. The texture of instruments and vocals are just more musical and involving. They also have the speed and detail desired to keep up with the fastest drum lines and sweet revealing highs for every bit of delicate reverberations and air. They just have more music!
Retail Price: $110.00 each
Mundorf MCap EVO SilverGold Oil Capacitors
The MCap® EVO SilverGold.Oil was developed in 2012 to specifically create the powerful and finely nuanced acoustic colours that are typical to the SilverGold in as compact and cost-effective a format as possible. The large capacities created as a result also permit efficient use in high-quality midrange applications.
The self-healing PP capacitor film is impregnated with oil after the EVOLUTION winding process and potted by hand into special casings. Any impact on the audio signal caused my microphony is practically ruled out as a result.
Retail Price: $130.00 each
HEXFRED RECTIFIERS
If you have not had it done to your favorite Cary Audio piece, the Hexfred option makes an awesome difference! Hexfreds are high speed low noise rectifiers and replace your existing standard rectifiers in the power supply. You will notice more speed, air, detail, imaging and tighter bass, yet a cleaner clearer sound quality. The Hexfreds help to provide a cleaner, faster DC voltage which shows up very noticeably in the sound quality. There is one more layer of hash and hardness (noise) that is removed so that you can just enjoy the music! Bass is faster with more details and the midrange and highs are cleaner and clearer. You will hear more detail with less bite.
Retail Price: $28.00 each
GRAYHILL SELECTOR SWITCH
The Grayhill Selector Switch is a great way to update your input selector switch, and is designed to last the life of your equipment with its mil-spec standard. Its sealed enclosure with gold plated contacts allows for smooth action, long life, and excellent conduction. It will keep your unit sound and switching perfectly for years. Works in the SLP-98, SLI-80, CAD-300SEI, and many other Cary Audio preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers.
Retail Price: $55.00 each
WBT SPEAKER BINDING POSTS
Excellent high quality WBT speaker posts for improved overall sound and connection.
Retail Price: $70.00 each
KIMBER KABLE
Wire CD or other inputs for improved detail, resolution, and overall better sound quality. Available for the SLI-80 and SLP-98 (Kimber wire cannot be used on phono input).
Retail Price: $150.00 per input (includes labor)
Available for the SLP-05 (wires all inputs with Kimber wire).
Retail Price: $300.00 (includes labor)
Modifications
Modification price does NOT include Shipping Costs.
SLP-98 HOME THEATER BYPASS
Allows the connection of a surround sound processor or receiver’s right and left outputs to be routed passively through the SLP-98 directly to the main right and left outputs providing convenience and signal purity. When the SLP-98 is turned off the right and left home theater inputs are connected directly to the main right and left outputs via an internal relay. This upgrade is standard for the SLP-03 and SLP-05.
Added to the SLP-98L: You will loose the RCA phono inputs
Added to SLP-98P: You will loose one set of main outputs.
Retail Price: $275.00 (includes parts and labor)
SLP-98 PHONO STAGE
Converts the SLP-98L to the SLP-98P by adding the phono stage and tubes.
Retail Price: $650.00 (includes parts and labor)
LUNDAHL MC TRANSFORMERS
Installed in the SLP-98P phono stage will convert the SLP-98P to a high-gain high-end quality MC input.
Retail Price: $600.00 (includes parts and labor)
CAD-120S UPGRADE
We are pleased to announce a MKII version upgrade of the CAD 120S. Building upon a solid foundation, the CAD 120S MKII incorporates a modified and improved feedback network circuitry that reduces overall global feedback, allowing for a wider soundstage with greater resolution of details. Adjustments to the input gain stage have also been added to increase dynamics while improving microdynamics. Additionally, this new input gain stage allows the new CAD 120S MKII to achieve greater volume and increases its compatibility with a wider variety of preamplifier models and brands. In addition to the technical and sonic enhancements, the upgrade will include a face plate and top cover indicating the new CAD 120S MKII model number. A new CAD 120S MKII Owner’s Manual will be included in the return package with the amplifier.
Retail Price: $700.00 (includes parts and labor)
SLP-05 ULTIMATE UPGRADE
We have had numerous requests from customers for many years regarding possible upgrades to the SLP-05 preamplifier. For the past couple of years, we have made it a project to find the appropriate combination of components to take the SLP-05 to another level. Finally, we believe we have achieved our goal. We are incredibly happy with the results of these upgrades which can be installed in any SLP-05, no matter the vintage. The “Ultimate Upgrade” consists of changes to the power supply as well as the line stage circuit.
The power supply portion of the upgrade consists of “maxing out” the filtering capabilities along the entire power supply chain, all the way into and including the preamplifier. Purifying DC voltages is extremely important to providing a clean, clear, smooth sound quality that is free from grain, noise and strident artifacts. This also improves imaging qualities as it provides a much blacker background. The type and quantity of capacitance are important as we are not just adding an extra 1200uf of UCC electrolytic capacitance into the main B+ (high voltage) supply but also an additional total of 125uf of Polypropylene capacitors throughout the B+ line. This includes a huge 100uf Polypropylene capacitor right at the line stage PC board. The rest of the additional capacitors are used as bypass capacitors across each UCC electrolytic filter capacitor. This provides a dramatically smooth, sweet sound quality.
In the line stage circuit, we change the resistors to high quality 1% Vishay metal film plate load and cathode resistors. This parts change improves the midrange and bass substantially for a fuller, more textured midrange. You will notice more body and texture to vocals and acoustic instruments, etc. Bass is more authoritative and tight. Highs are smoother yet detailed.
And finally, for the pièce de résistance. We are removing all of the coupling capacitors and installing (10) Mundorf MCap coupling capacitors throughout the entire line section. This is the final addition that completely allows the sound qualities of the SLP-05 to shine through, resulting in a sweet, fluid, full bodied yet delicate delivery of every single instrument and natural vocal detail. It is done without adding brightness, and yet delivers an amazing amount of air and detail revealing the acoustics of the room and instruments with breathtaking natural realism. There is body, texture and fullness to instruments that break through with such ease and delicacy no matter the complexity of the music.
The “Ultimate Upgrade” is not just an upgrade. It elevates the SLP-05 to a whole other level of sound quality. It retains the attributes of the SLP-05 that you know and love but gives you more of everything.
The complete upgrade is priced at $1,795 which includes all parts, labor, and FREE shipping (USA only) back to you. If you purchase a new SLP-05, you will be able to add this upgrade when ordering.
Retail Price: $1,795.00 (includes parts and labor)
Pricing By Unit
Price does NOT include any applicable Bench Fee ($140) or Shipping Costs.
RETAIL PRICE
| Upgrade or Modification | SLP-98L | SLP-98P | SLP-05 | SLI-100 | SLI-80HS | CAD-300SEI | CAD-120S MkII | CAD-805RS (per amp) | CAD-211FE (per amp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold | $110 x 2 | $110 x 4 | NA | NA | $110 x 4 | $110 x 4 | $110 x 4 | $110 x 3 | STD |
| MCap EVO SilverGold.Oil | $130 x 2 | $130 x 2 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Hexfreds | $28 x 4 | $28 x 4 | NA | $28 x 9 | $28 x 5 | $28 X 5 | $28 x 6 | NA | NA |
| Greyhill Switch | STD | STD | NA | $55 | $55 | $55 | NA | NA | NA |
| WBT | NA | NA | NA | $70 x 4 | $70 x 4 | $70 x 4 | $70 x 4 | $70 x 6 | $70 x 6 |
| Kimber Kable | $150 x 1 | $150 x 1 | $300 | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |