How does Berning ZH270 compare to Cary Cad211 AE ?

I concur. Before ZH270, I was using Conrad Johnson and loved the magical midrange. BUT, ZH270 does so much better from top to bottom. Sure, I may miss the magical mid, but I can't go back. ZH270 is very natural/ neutral. CJ tended to get hum, but no hum or buzz from ZH270. Very well designed and robust.
After all it all comes down to your taste, but IMO if you are seeking the true sound of what is recorded (and pressed), then ZH270 may be the way to go.

Merlin told me the following:

The Berning like a very fine digital photo. Joule Electra amps are like a walk in a beautiful forest that you just don't want to leave. Me, personally, I like the EAR 890 sitting my listening room right now.

I concur with the accessments of the 811. It is a rather soft and seductive amp with a bit of a soft top and bottom end. However, the VSM-MX is a rather lean and transparent speaker and Merlin told me (it wasn't Bobbie but was another guy there who said this was "Our opinion") they respect and like the Berning but love the Joule. However, the cheapest Joule stereo is $10,000.00 to $12,000.00.

I seem to be rambling a little but you may want to consider an amp that would "meaty up" those speakers a bit.

I like the analogy. It's got me wondering how a Berning would sound with a Joule LA-100 MkIII preamp, or whether I should save up for the Joule amps. They come around used around $6k or so.

There are well respected members who love their MMs or MXs with the ZH-270 and others the Joules. IMO, having had both amps in my house at the same time, the assessment that Tomryan quoted from (probably) Bobby's partner is right on the money. I found the Berning a tad too lean and the Joule brought greater emotional impact. I would think that a lean cable would not be a good match to the Berning.

Are Cardas Golden Ref and Audience Au24 lean cables?