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Cary Audio Design CAD-120s mkII or Music Reference RM-9 MkII?

Looking at these 2 amps as a upgrade from my Dynaco Mkiii's, both the Cary and M R are listed on 'gon for about the same price around 2K, hoping for any input on SQ and experience on either of them.  

Would be going to into my 2nd system:
Altec 604's
primaluna dialogue premium preamplifier

Source for this mostly digital and music is classic rock and Jazz. 

thanks for your input
dogsport
koestner
667 posts
 

Don't count out the Cary. While I've never heard the RM-9, I did get a long audition of the CAD-120. It was a wonderful sounding amp, that I think can take a bunch of different power tubes with a bias adjustment (probably like most amps). With the meters on the front, it's easy to keep an eye on the bias.

tweak1
3,655 posts
 

I had a RM-9 decades ago, and it is/was excellent, BUT, AFAIK, it does not have balanced outs, whereas the Cary does. So, that would be my recommendation

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 

I think you meant to say balanced inputs …

Steves RM-9 was lovingly restored by an awesome Music Reference tech at Brooks Berdan. It sports RAM EL34 but I also have a set of RAM 6550 I owe him. All of Roger’s designs are very neutral. The Cary also an excellent amplifier is more lush and romantic in my experience. 
 

I miss Roger, RIP genius!

jim

tweak1
3,655 posts
 

DOH! I was thinking of the amp

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