Cary Audio SI-300.2d Integrated Amplifier
The Cary Audio SI-300.2d combines tube-like warmth with 300Wpc of muscular Class A/B drive, delivering rich vocals, controlled bass and effortless dynamics. Its flexible high-resolution DAC, DSD capability and extensive inputs make it a formidable system hub, while Stereophile praised its resolution and expansive scale. A confident, deeply musical integrated for listeners who value tonal density and long-session ease.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
90/100
Features Connectivity
93/100
Value for Money
88/100
Pros
Rich, warm and tonally saturated presentation with smooth vocals, rounded bass and glare-free treble.
Powerful, stable amplification delivers strong dynamics and can drive demanding speaker loads.
Versatile onboard DAC and connectivity, including high-resolution USB/DSD, digital inputs, Bluetooth, pre-outs and home-theater bypass.
Large, solid images and an immersive soundstage with impressive musical flow.
Cons
Soundstage is less open and sharply delineated than some rivals; the presentation favors density over ultimate precision.
Treble and transient attack can sound slightly restrained for listeners seeking maximum detail and bite.
At its price, competing integrated amplifiers may add built-in streaming and DSP features.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the SI-300.2d unusually powerful, natural and musically involving, combining a rich, tube-like warmth with strong control and a very quiet presentation. Its presentation favors dense, full-bodied images and tonal saturation over the last word in etched detail, stage openness and image precision.
Transparency Resolution
91/100
Stereophile heard “extraordinary resolution,” while HomeTheaterHifi found the treble clean, open and extended, with no audible noise even at maximum volume without a signal. Pursuit Perfect System felt the amplifier was more about enjoying the musical whole than concentrating on the smallest details, and described the treble as smooth but slightly safe.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
The consistent character is warm, rich and full-bodied, with smooth, tonally saturated vocals and a bold overall balance. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as engaging, relaxed and highly enjoyable, while HomeTheaterHifi also considered its pre/power section fundamentally neutral and free of tube-like coloration.
Dynamics
94/100
Stereophile praised its “rock'em, sock'em dynamics,” effortless musicality and substantial power, while the 300Wpc Class A/B output drove demanding speakers confidently in other tests. HomeTheaterHifi found it convincing even at low levels, though not quite equal to that reviewer's best tube amplifiers for low-volume dynamic expression.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
HomeTheaterHifi heard a speaker-disappearing, wraparound soundstage that recalled favorite tube amplifiers, and Stereophile reported a huge stage. Pursuit Perfect System found the stage less open and less precisely defined than its reference, but praised its organization, layering and large, solid images.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
The SI-300.2d uses a steel chassis with a milled-aluminum faceplate and volume knob, and reviewers specifically noted its substantial transformer, clean internal layout and heavy-gauge speaker wiring. HomeTheaterHifi also found the amplifier impressively silent in operation.
Features Connectivity
93/100
This is a comprehensively equipped integrated amplifier, with balanced and single-ended analog inputs, USB/AES/coaxial/optical digital inputs, digital outputs, Bluetooth aptX, pre-outs and home-theater bypass. Its AKM DAC supports high-resolution PCM and DSD256, while Wi-Fi enables app-based control; rivals at this price may additionally offer built-in streaming and DSP.
Value for Money
88/100
At a $5,995 list price, HomeTheaterHifi considered it worth the asking price and called it the best integrated amplifier the reviewer had heard. At roughly £5,990, however, Pursuit Perfect System noted serious competition from alternatives that include streaming and DSP facilities.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Digital Outputs
- Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz, 16-bit to 24-bit
- Digital Input Sample Rates
- USB operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz, 16 bit to 32 bit, DSD 64, DSD 128 and DSD 256\nBLUETOOTH operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) 44.1 kHz, 16 bit\nAES/EBU, Coaxial, Toslink operating at Sample Frequency (Fs) from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz, 16bit to 24 bit
- Master Clock Jitter
- Below measurable levels
- Digital Sampling Rates (Fs)
- 44.1 kHz to 768 kHz
- Digital Filter
- 8x Oversampling Digital Filter
- Digital/Analog Converters
- 2 channel AK4490EQ
- BLUETOOTH
- CSR Bluetooth v 4.0 with aptX low latency audio decoder
- Analog Filter
- 3rd Order Bessel
- Preamplifier Outputs
- Single – Ended RCA
- Analog Input
- Single-Ended RCA x 2\nBalanced XLR x 2
- Analog Input Impedance
- 10 kΩ Unbalanced\n20 kΩ Balanced
- Power Amplifier Outputs
- 2 x 300W RMS in 8 Ω from 20Hz to 20KHz\n2 x 450W RMS in 4 Ω from 20Hz to 20KHz
- Circuit Type
- Solid State, Class A/B
- Frequency Response
- 10Hz – 50KHz +/- 0.1dB (at 10db below rated output power)
- Distortion (SMPTE-1M)
- < 0.5%
- S/N Ratio
- >100dB, A Weighted
- Protections
- Full short circuit, thermal, Ultrasonic, RF\nSignal muting & current limiter
- Control
- Trigger output 12.0 VDC x 1\nIR control x 1
- Communication
- Ethernet RJ45 full remote configuration interface\nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Power Input
- Configured at factory for either 110-120 or 220-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
- Power Consumption
- 950 Watts (4 ohm load at full output)
- Finish
- Black powder coated matte chassis with silver or black aluminum faceplate
- Weight
- 52 lbs
- Dimensions
- 6.0″ H x 17.25″ W x 18.0″ D
Manufacturer's Description — Cary Audio
ABOUT THE SI-300.2D INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
The SI-300.2d – a revolutionary integrated amplifier engineered to redefine your listening experience with its sheer power and musical finesse. Boasting an impressive 300 watts per channel of solid-state Class AB amplification, this fully balanced amplifier sets a new standard in audio performance, delivering nuanced richness and remarkable agility reminiscent of tube amplifiers yet capable of driving even the most demanding loudspeakers.
From thunderous bass to crystalline highs, each note is rendered with breathtaking clarity and depth, eliminating the “dryness” often associated with high-powered amplifiers. Equipped with cutting-edge features like a home theater bypass and built-in AKM DACs for USB, coaxial, and Toslink inputs, the SI-300.2d offers unrivaled flexibility for modern enthusiasts, seamlessly integrating into your setup while delivering pure musicality and precision. Experience the epitome of audio excellence with the SI-300.2d – Cary Audio’s ultimate expression of unwavering commitment to perfection.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Cary Audio SI-300.2d Integrated Amplifier
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Aktoren — online and in-store — Horten, Vestfold, Norway (website)
- Audio Classics — in-store — New York, United States (website)
- Audio Revolutions — in-store — Khwaeng Thung Phaya Thai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (website)
- Audio Tempel — online and in-store — Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands (website)
- Audiogears — in-store — Casalecchio di Reno, Emilia-Romaña (website)
- Audiotehnika — in-store — Centra rajons, Latvia (website)
- Class D Audio USA — online — United States (website)
- deciBel Audio — in-store — Chicago, Illinois, United States (website)
and 13 more verified dealers