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With only 2 recent comparables, the fair used range here looks to sit roughly between £232 and £337, with a median of £285, so £180 lands clearly below the 25th percentile and reads as a strong bargain. For a well-known Cary line-stage, that is the kind of pricing that usually leaves room for service, tubes, or a quick refresh and still keeps the total spend sensible.
That makes it a worthwhile buy if the unit is functioning properly, because Cary preamps are widely liked for their smooth, dimensional presentation and natural vocal/instrument tone. The main thing to check is ordinary age-related tube and control wear, plus whether the seller can confirm clean operation on all inputs and outputs; at this price, those are worth confirming, not deal-breakers if the core unit is healthy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Cary Audio was founded in 1989 by Dennis Had in Cary, North Carolina, emerging from humble beginnings on his dining room table where he crafted his first vacuum tube projects. Driven by a passion to restore emotional depth to home music reproduction, the company quickly gained notice with icons like the CAD-300SE single-ended triode amplifier. After Billy Wright joined in 1992 and acquired full ownership in 2009 upon Had's retirement, Cary Audio evolved into a privately held American manufacturer, operating from a 10,000-square-foot facility in Raleigh with 21 dedicated employees handcrafting high-performance gear.
The brand specializes in premium amplification, spanning vacuum tube and solid-state designs, alongside digital components such as network streamers, DACs, and headphone amplifiers. While rooted in tube heritage, Cary has expanded into home theater processors and state-of-the-art digital music centers, prioritizing top-tier components for exceptional musicality across categories. Speakers, turntables, and cables remain outside their core focus, emphasizing instead amplification and source components that deliver transformative sound.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Cary Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its reliable, value-driven products that blend superior engineering with lasting performance. As a boutique American outlier in a global field, it appeals to buyers seeking hand-built excellence at real-world prices, backed by unwavering customer service and a legacy of innovation since its inception.
See all Cary Audio listings on RADAR.
