Music Reference RM9 - user comments please

I just stumbled on to this thread. Brings back great memories: After many years of SS I bought my first tube amp in years, it was 1996, I think, and I bought the remarkable RM10 MK II from John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona NJ to pair with my Sound Dynamics 300 TI. I've always regretted selling them. And a shout out to John, he definitely knows his stuff, and is one of the truly nice guys in audio.

Not sure what Roger did from I to II, but I do know that he does makes this changes unless they are real and substantial, so as Clio9 says, that might very well be a worthy improvement - the RM9 is a classic, might as well go to MKII.

Thx for the input guys. A phenomenal amp.
I have sent an email to Roger inquiring about the upgrade.
Clio09 - can I ask a few questions?
How did the sonics change with the upgrade ?
Do u remember what got better what worse - or was it all good ?
What speaker/s are you basing the impressions on ?
Much appreciated.

You should go to AudioCircle and join the Music Reference forum, you'll find lots of answers to your questions, and a possible reply from Roger himself, or Music Reference lunatics that know the equipment well.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=circles

When I owned the RM-9 I was using Spendor 1/2e speakers. The RM-9 was the only tube amp I tried in my system that I liked with the Spendor's. Normally I have used solid state with them. At the time I owned the RM-9 I lived just a few miles from Roger. So I took the amp over there and he bench tested it with me. Darn if it didn't operate nearly 100% to spec, and put out more watts than its rating.

The upgrade includes the addition of chokes, and new caps in critical places. I think he makes some other changes as well but forget what they are. Roger also does a thorough inspection of the amp and brings it to full spec in all areas. Upon picking up the amp the bench test indicated it was putting out nearly 125 watts/channel. Up about 20 watts from the previous test. As for the sound, I felt the MkI was a bit tubey in nature and with the MkII you will be getting a more transparent and neutral presentation. I myself liked that. I did end up selling the RM-9 and somewhat regretted it. Now I have both an RM-10 MkII and EM7-12v SET from Roger with much more efficient speakers and these sound wonderful.

Be patient with Roger on emails. He is hard to reach as he is quite busy. I suggest you try to reach him through Sal at Audio Summa. You might get a faster response and more information to help you make a decision on whether or not to upgrade.