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Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral?

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Posted on January 18, 2017 at 19:40:45
montaldo
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: Midwest
Joined: November 6, 2013
 I am considering buying a music reference rm-9 Mkii, or possibly vtl mb-125 monos. I am interested in particular in opinions about the sound of the rm-9 because I have read some opinions that call it "neutral" and others that characterize it as more tubey. I want an amp that does not have too much treble energy... A little of the classic tube sound without losing too much resolution. I am willing to give up some detail though and prefer a warmer balance. I am pretty certain the mb-125 would have this balance, but I imagine the rm-9 may have the warmth but better resolution. I really don't want a "neutral" sounding amp partly due to system balance issues. Any opinions?

My preamp is a Thor ta-1000 and speakers are Quad esl-63 with vandy 2wq subs.
Thanks.
Stu

 

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RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 19, 2017 at 03:33:13
montaldo
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: Midwest
Joined: November 6, 2013
 Forgot to mention that the vtl amps are el34, and my intention is to run el34s in the rm-9.
Stu

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 19, 2017 at 03:57:09
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7598
Joined: September 21, 1999
 Depends.

If you consider a Sonic Frontiers amp neutral, then the RM9 is tubey. But frankly, I consider the SF amps to be a bit bright and sounding more like bad SS. So in that regard, the RM9 could be considered neutral.

I know one thing, it's ballsy and dynamic as hell. I drove Maggie 1.6s in a large room fairly easily with one. I would say it has just enough tube goodness to know you are listening to a tube amp, but plenty of control and bass depth. Anything less than that, and you might as well buy solid state.

Oz




Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 19, 2017 at 17:55:33
neolith
Audiophile

Posts: 4842
Location: Virginia
Joined: February 21, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 2, 2004
 I have not owned a RM-9 but I am a big fan of Roger Modjeski's products. They are essentially problem free. I have a RM-5 preamp that has been in continuous use for 35 years. I believed I have retubed twice because the tubes got noisy but never failed. I did find a bad electrolytic when I was trying out a new scope (used) - I didn't know I had a problem. Replacement took me about 30 -60 minutes. IMO failure of one electrolytic after 30+ years is outstanding.
I also had an RM-4 (a phono headamp) that I kept for 20+ years. At the time, it sounded better than any other headamp or SUT within 2-3 times its price of anything I could find. It also got noisy in one channel. I found the problem to be a cold solder joint in a ground wire that connected the two selector switches. Two minutes with a solder gun solved the problem - never replaced a tube. I have always regretted selling. The unit was on continuously - it did not have an on/off.
You will be hard pressed to find a bad or even mediocre review of any of his stuff. Here's one for the RM-9 MKII.



"Our head is round in order to allow our thoughts to change direction." Francis Picabia

 

The RM-9 MkII is preferable to the MkI, posted on January 20, 2017 at 11:48:46
garymuffley
Dealer

Posts: 445
Location: Maryland
Joined: March 29, 2006
 I owned both and the MkII is significantly better. A used MkII is hard to beat for the price.

 

It's a good thing that three people were willing to help....., posted on January 21, 2017 at 04:38:21
Ozzy
Audiophile

Posts: 7598
Joined: September 21, 1999
 ......glad you recognized that.

Oz




Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 21, 2017 at 05:20:26
montaldo
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: Midwest
Joined: November 6, 2013
 Bought the rm-9. We will see how it works!
Thanks for the advice.
Stu

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 22, 2017 at 08:28:23
1patrick
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Location: North Fla
Joined: March 4, 2015
 Congrats! Let us know how it works out & your impressions of the amp.

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 22, 2017 at 14:42:14
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4393
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 Congratulations- a decision you will NOT regret

Happy Listening

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 25, 2017 at 14:03:26
joneill
Audiophile

Posts: 149
Joined: August 19, 2001
 In my experience with 12 years an RM9 MkI & MK II owner, 12 year sabatical with few OTL's and returning to Music Reference the past 5 years a RM9 Special Edition, EL-34 are the way to go in this circuit. Preferably Ram labs EL-34 Seimens that are carefully matched by Roger!
You are now part of the Ram Lab family and Roger will be a great resource for you if needed.

Enjoy your RM9. You've made a great purchase that will deliver lots of pleasure for years to come!

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 27, 2017 at 15:02:47
montaldo
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: Midwest
Joined: November 6, 2013
 Mayday... Mayday... Received my rm-9 Mkii and it was packed perfectly, tubes light, middle transformer is warm and outer transformers are not warm, and output tube bias lights don't light. No sound from either channel.

Please tell me it could be a fuse.

Stu

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 31, 2017 at 12:46:17
1patrick
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Location: North Fla
Joined: March 4, 2015
 sorry to hear of your problem. hopefully you get it sorted or did you already? I keep a few of Roger's hand picked fuses for my RM10 MkII around but have never needed them in 6 yrs trouble free knock wood. good luck!

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 31, 2017 at 14:25:19
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4393
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 If it is a MK I-
then there are two leds next to the Bias pots - if adjusting the bias post does not light up the LED - you have a blown Bias Fuse - 1A Fast Blow-
they are located on the Main PCB near the transformer end of the amp on either side (there are two) of the Main AC fuse-
after replacing the fuses, and putting the bottom plate on, turn the amp back over (right side up) and take an wooden pencil and gently rap each of the power tubes- this will dislodge dust and hopefully get it to settle at the bottom - where it won;t be a problem-
then fire it up-
You may need to re-adjust the bias - you want the LED to be just glowing - so that you can see it-
with no signal

The center transformer is the power transformer and it will get warm, but not so hot that you can not touch it-
the output transformers rarely get warm - on either side of the power-

Let me know if you still have problems-

Happy Listening

 

RE: Music ref rm-9 - tubey or neutral? , posted on January 31, 2017 at 14:26:36
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4393
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 If it is a MK II - there are lots of LEDs - one for each tube that will be lit up if the fuse for that tube has blown-
let me know which unit you have-
Happy Listening

 

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