Tubes Asylum

Anyone Familiar With Variations Among Cary CAD 211 Amplifiers?

73.42.229.40

Mister Pig

A

So I have been looking at the possibility of a higher power tube amplifier based on transmitter tubes. Ideally I would like a SET based amp, but one of the options that keeps coming up is the Cary amplifiers.

The 211M series has been around for awhile, and the cost of them varies a fair amount on the used market.

Does anyone know the differences between the 211M and the 211M Anniversary Edition and if its significant enough to command a $2K price difference in the used market?

Also, what are your experiences with this series of amp in general, and how would you characterize their sonic signature?

Thanks for any info you can pass along.

Follow Ups:

RE: Anyone Familiar With Variations Among Cary CAD 211 Amplifiers? - oldvinyl 19:18:32 10/02/21 (0)
As Sherlock pointed out - the 211's are push/pull and the 805's are single ended triode. In fact, the 211's are a pair of 805's in push/pull configuration. The 211 amp has more power than the 805, retains the mid-range warmth but, does not have the nth degree of SET magic. The 211's also have better bass power than the 805.

Each iteration of the 211 has improved power output, refined the power supply and upgraded the capacitors. Even if you get the basic 211, the caps can easily be changed if desired. Also, Cary supports upgrades for their amps.

I have had a set of 211's for about 20 years. They have slowly been upgraded to FE status. They have been reliable and sound great. With a set of the new production WE 300B tubes and some well chosen tubes in the other positions, it has incredible dynamics (with the right speakers) and 3D soundstaging.

Enjoy the music.
RE: Anyone Familiar With Variations Among Cary CAD 211 Amplifiers? - Sherlock 10:56:09 09/26/21 (0)
The 805s are SET and they have plenty of power. They sound better than the 211s. But if you want a lot more power for some reason, the 211s are the way to go.
Off topic, is that your wanted ad on USAM. nt - viridian 19:31:08 09/24/21 (2)
Nt
- RE: Off topic, is that your wanted ad on USAM. nt - Mister Pig 21:45:54 09/24/21 (1)
  No that's not me. Couldn't afford a pair of Founders Edition even at used prices LOL.
  - Thank you. I hope that you get a great pair of amps and an answer to your question. Nt - viridian 23:20:35 09/24/21 (0)
    Nt

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