Cary Audio CAD-280SA V12R

aren't you exceeding max plate voltage running 6V6s in the V-12?seem to recall max plate voltage of 285tks

johnss352 posts04-13-2020 10:42amaren't you exceeding max plate voltage running 6V6s in the V-12?seem to recall max plate voltage of 285tks

Not sure, to tell the truth. I can tell you this, they sound pretty darn good.
No failures, no red plating, no fuse blowing. Run cool as a be. AND a cool looking valve too.  Dropped 30 degrees from using KT88, 20 from EL34 and 6L6. I ran them 24 hours checked the bias via led twice, held the bias. I left them in for over 48 hours.. never an issue.. Sound was little thin, low mids and HF not quite as controlled.  The real pleaser was the 6L6s, cheapo valves maybe 100.00 or so..Under 200.00 for both sets one of 12 6V6s and 16 6L6s.

I have two more caps swaps in mind, The supreme EVO silver/gold and  supreme EVO silver/gold oils. Never used them, I want to try them. Other than that. One neat amp.. Very well made

Regards

I'm looking at a swap with a guy, he's got Cary (?) AES Six Pacs
setting in a box not using them..

I have a MC240 in so so shape. I know what I paid for mine. 
I still have two more 240s in better shape. Why Not?

Wonder how the V12 and Six Pacs compare. Anyone?

Regards

The Hexfreds just added a little faster/tighter bass in my former V12R.  I felt having the right coupling caps and interconnects was most rewarding. Overall, the stock EL34 Ruby (Shuguang made EL34BSTR) tubes were great.  If you change too many things at once you'll never know. As for the manual, the last version was never updated for fuses.  

 
decooney264 posts04-21-2020 7:58amThe Hexfreds just added a little faster/tighter bass in my former V12R.  I felt having the right coupling caps and interconnects was most rewarding. Overall, the stock EL34 Ruby (Shuguang made EL34BSTR) tubes were great.  
The stock valves are good, really good, I agree. The 18.00 dollar upgrade was just too hard to pass up..LOL

I have a working schematic now. Cary was actually rude. Not the Cary of old, or what others said about them...I'm convinced at this point they do not have a schematic. Probably a handwritten scribble on a paper grocery bag.

I found a lot of this type of stuff in overseas, based companies. Thank goodness it's just a valve amp, not something complicated. I don't know maybe there is some secrete recipe in the way they wind their transformers. I don't think so though..I use to wind transformers in HS for god sakes. 

HiPerFreds are on the way.  My time is limited now, I can only tolerate this amp in the spring, winter, and fall, I can see summer is out, unless we have a lot of cool nights..So I'll do my little UGs and look forward to a few cool nights and the upcoming fall.

My class Ds are already giving me the "what did I do wrong look".. They will be back in service, in the next day or two..Nice and cool....

Regards