Attention Cary V12R owners


Hi every one my dad is currently looking at a used newly refurbished Cary V12 power amp with new Jenson caps and tubes, for a very scookum price! I am only asking has any one(owners) had any issues or troubles with this amp. If so what are they, or is this a very good power amp to get for $1900. My dad is really hooked on cary since I have a cary 120s and how good it is.

I not really looking for any suggestions on other tube amps just the meat and potato's. To see if it even is even a great running amp before he flips out the paperbacks.

Thanks let me know your experiences and thoughts"
128x128jakecanada
I'm looking for descent condition VW microbus 1969...1974, but I only have $1,200 to invest...
I have one and love it. Yes it's on the warm sounding side w the EL 34's but the mids are awesome ... It tightens up and cleanly extends and "clarifies" w good KT 88's or my favorites the Winged C 6550's. The partial/ full triode power options can be fun and rewarding based on your speaker type and especially your types of music. It does run hot so keep little alive bodies away. Personally it's one of my favorite amps and I can't bring myself to sell mine even though its replacement already cost me 4X its price. Great amp and a real sleeper. Good luck.
You should have no problems if it's been rebuilt correctly. I traded mine for the CAD120's. The V12R had only one negative in that it ran too hot for me here in Florida. If it's at least an 8 1900.00 isn't a bad deal. Any more though, and I'd wait for the 120's. Good luck.
I've been very happy with mine. If it's truly in good shape that would be a good price. I would offer one suggestion though - while the Jensen caps are ok, the factory upgrade to the Cardas caps was that much better (though pricy). Also, if your dad is looking for the deepest black backgrounds this might not be the amp for him - they can be a little noisy. Just my observation from owning one for the last three years. I would second Lissnr's assessment that KT88/6550s are a good investment for this amp. Bass tightens up appreciably, and my experience has been that they're a quieter tube than the EL34s or KT77s in this amp. It is also advisable to get six cork coasters to put underneath the rubber feet. The weight of the amp will leave rubber marks on furniture. Finally, it is built like a tank: heavy gauge steel body, massive transformers, all point to point. It's a really well built piece of gear. Perhaps not the perfect amp, but if you like it's sound it's quite a performer. Like I said, I really like mine.