VT-500

Name: VT-500
Brand: Cary Audio

classic valve design

Cary Audio valve preamplifier with phono stage, thus belonging to both the preamplifier and phono families.

Price, selected version, availability and estimated lead time are confirmed individually before any order.

Discuss purchase and listening

Catalogue information verified on the 19 June 2026. Official Cary Audio page.

Summary

The VT-500 is Cary Audio's dedicated valve phono stage: MM and MC with selectable loading, passive RIAA, and an external power supply in a dual chassis. It is also listed in the Preamplifiers category as a control stage.

Key Points

Valve phono preamplifier that also functions as a control stage.
Compatible with moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges.
Several selectable loading options for MC cartridges.
Passive RIAA equalization.
Dual chassis design, with the power supply housed in a separate chassis.
Single-ended Class A operation with direct coupling.

Valves
Phono MM/MC
Passive RIAA
Dual chassis
Class A

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Purchasing, listening and delivery

Ordering and system matching

Ask about the selected version and matching with your amplifier, sources and room. Supply arrangements will be confirmed in the quotation. An enquiry does not confirm a sale.

Listening sessions and demonstrations

You can request a listening session by appointment at our Barcelona office (Carrer de Modolell, 57). When we arrange the appointment we confirm which equipment is available to hear, along with the date and time.

Home demonstrations are not offered for this product.

Delivery and setup

Delivery, its cost and the estimated timing are confirmed in writing in your quotation, for your delivery address and before you accept it.

Installation and setup can be requested as an additional service. We assess feasibility and quote it separately.

Editorial Reference

Model context

Position within the Cary range

Valve phono preamplifier that also functions as a control stage; listed under Phono and Preamplifiers in the official navigation.

Why choose this model?

When vinyl is the primary source and both MM and MC with passive RIAA equalisation in a dual-chassis configuration are required, as opposed to the integrated MM phono stage of the SLP-98P.

For which system does it make sense?

Vinyl systems with MM and MC cartridges and selectable loading.
Configurations with external power supply and passive RIAA equalization.
Reference chain where the phono is the primary source.

Differences compared to similar models

Compared to the SLP-98P (integrated MM phono stage in a line preamplifier), the VT-500 is a dedicated phono stage with MC support. Unlike the SLP-05, it does not include a full line stage or dedicated headphone output.

Architecture and Design Decisions

Four 6SL7 valves (two for the head and two for RIAA) and a 5AR4 rectifier in an external power supply. Passive RIAA equalisation ±0.5 dB; MM gain of 38 dB at 47 kΩ and MC gain of 65 dB with selectable loading between 50 and 1000 Ω.

Compatibility and Use

Output to Cary line preamplifiers (SLP-05, SLP-98L) or integrated amplifiers with line input. External power supply included.

Official specification limits

Exact count of connectors not published on the web page. Does not replace a full line preamplifier.

Related Technologies: Valves and single-ended triode .

Technical Specifications

Specifications

Topology: Class A single-ended valve phono preamplifier, direct-coupled
Valves: 4 × 6SL7 (2 for head input + 2 for RIAA); 5AR4 rectifier in external power supply
Phono stage: MM: 38 dB / 47 kΩ. MC: 65 dB, selectable load 50 / 100 / 200 / 500 / 1000 Ω
RIAA equalization: Passive (±0.5 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio: −78 dB
Output impedance: 660 Ω
MM Gain: 38 dB
MC Gain: 65 dB

Technical Specifications

Design and Construction

Power Supply: Power supply in a separate chassis
Dimensions: 17.25 × 5 × 13 inches (W × H × D)
Weight: 22 lbs

Specifications compiled from official Cary Audio sources, reviewed on 19 June 2026. Unverified data is not published; unavailable fields are omitted.

Documentation

Official Manuals and Resources

Links to PDFs and guides published by Cary Audio on caryaudio.com. They open in a new tab.

ManualOwner's Manual (VT-500)
MM/MC configuration, cartridge loading, connections, and maintenance of the VT-500.

Technologies

Engineering Behind This Equipment

Valves and single-ended triode

Valve design is the foundational heritage of Cary Audio. The brand maintains a line of triode equipment in single-ended configuration, in class A, which defines much of its character and sonic identity.

In the press

What the critics have said

“The VT-500 walks that lovely line between neutral and warm”
Positive Feedback · Robert H. Levi · 2019
“moving coil performance is musical, luxurious, and spacious”
Positive Feedback · Robert H. Levi · 2019

Brief excerpts from specialised press reviews, in their original language with a link to the source. They reflect the opinion of each publication.

Launch context

Origin and Journey

Valve phono stage introduced between 2017 and 2019 (exact date to be determined).

Be part of the VT Series — Phono.

Recommended Applications

Where it fits

High fidelity

Preamplifiers. For those seeking a valve control centre that preserves the character of the signal prior to amplification.

Phono. For those who listen to vinyl and require a phono stage that matches the calibre of the rest of the system.

Within the Cary catalogue

Its position in the range

The VT-500 is part of Preamplifiers and Phono in the Cary Audio catalogue.

Families: Preamplifiers
Phono
Design family: classic valve design
Series: VT Series — Phono

Reference

More context about this model

Guides

Ecosystem

Cary for hybrid digital + vinyl systems

Support Knowledge

MM/MC configuration in VT-500