Music Reference RM9 - user comments please

Used full range, I much prefer SED 6550 in the RM-9 MkII over the El-34, primarily because of the increased bass drive and impact the 6550 affords. The ultimate choice is, of course, system dependent and influenced by listening preferences. For large scale orchestral works (Mahler, Rachmaninoff, etc.) and full-range speakers, the 6550 does it best for me.

Well, there you have it, the EL34, 6550, and KT88 are the best with the Music Reference. Frankly, I suspect they all sound great with different flavors though I owuld note they were designed with EL34s. I'm not sure how much difference there is between my Special Edition and the MKI&IIs, though they do have completely different driver stages (6 6BQ7s). I think is this is one of those question with no definitive answer that applies beyond the individual with his ears and his system. But I would like to try KT88s some day.

Well, there you have it, the EL34, 6550, and KT88 are the best with the Music Reference.

Actually this is true. Depending on the rest of the system, the room, your preference in music, and so on, each tube's characteristic will slightly tailor the sound.

I keep my pair of Quicksilver Silver 60s for their wonderful midrange presence and classic tube sound courtesy of EL34s. My RM9 on the other hand just kicks butt with the RAM KT88s. More of everything and at the same time more neutral and NOT tubey sounding.

I just bought a barely used original Rm-10 for my office. With only 200 hours on the amp and the original RAM tubes I've got to tell you it does sound like a mini RM9.

The RAM KT88s are the slight more expensive one's he sells? $65 each? Or are you using the Chineese KT88 he uses?

Roger went through my 17 year old original RM9 last July, upgraded it to a MKII and retubed it with all RAM tubes. The KT88s are the more expensive ones @ $65 and worth every penny.

The amp sounds amazing.

I just bought an original RM10 with only a couple hundred hours on it for my office. After listening to the RM9 at home I had a hard time listening to my Pathos Classic One II at work. I had to have that MR sound.