In my system, the tubed SLI-80HS sounded great with conventional loudspeakers and horns alike, and with all styles of music. It provided an uncluttered pathway to musical satisfaction, LP after LP. The Cary possesses all the qualities tube aficionados seek—and, perhaps due to its solid-state rectification, good if not spectacular grip on low-end fundamentals. Most important—and here's where it shares more than just wood-finish choices with Klipsch—it's tremendous fun.

In triode mode, which I favored, the Cary's 40Wpc won't drive every speaker—but with that consideration noted, the SLI-80HS ranks near the top of all the many tube integrated amps that have passed through my door.