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This is the SLI-80 v4, with switches for Triode (40W) vs Ultra-Linear (80W) modes, and 6922/6SN7 pre-amp valves. The manual can be found HERE.I bought it used from the US before moving to Australia, it has been converted to 220V and fully checked by a high-end professional in 2017 and operates fl...
Compared with buying a new valve integrated at this level, A$3,495 for a clean SLI-80 is fair to mildly strong, not a bargain-basement score but clearly in the right zone. The original SLI-80 launched at A$3,000 in review coverage, and the later SLI-80HS sat around A$4,495–A$8,995 depending on market and version, so this asking price looks comfortably beneath current-new territory while still reflecting a respected name.
It’s well liked for doing the classic Cary thing: big tone, easy musicality, and enough power to run many speakers in ultra-linear mode while giving you a sweeter triode option for more intimate listening. A clean example is appealing because these are hefty, enthusiast-owned amps rather than disposable gear, and original accessories or a fresh tube set add real value. At this price, I’d mainly verify tube life, service history, and that the mode switch and all inputs are healthy; otherwise it reads as a solid buy for someone wanting a serious tube integrated.
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.
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