Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Cary Audio Design CAD-280-SA V12 Monoblocks Amplifier (Tube) by Kimballcorson

Model:	CAD-280-SA V12 Monoblocks
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$8000 (pair)
Description:	Push-Pull, Balanced,Class A Triode (100 RMS), Class AB Ultralinear Amplifier(200 RMS)
Manufacturer URL:	Cary Audio Design
Model Picture:	View

Review by Kimballcorson ( A ) on May 03, 2004 at 16:15:19
IP Address: 32.102.44.177

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for the CAD-280-SA V12 Monoblocks

I have these amps as well, after trying many in the $3,000 to $10,000 range in my system (Audio Note 2 transport; Mark Levinson 360S DAC; Convergent Audio Technology CAT SL-1 Ultimate MK II preamp; these amps; and Piega P-10 loudspeakers with a REL Strata III subwoofer thrown in for good measure). First, the amplifiers' model number is the Cary CAD 280 MB V12i, in my case. Not 280 SA. That is the stereo amp, not the MB or monoblocks. Second, at my eagis, I changed the feedback resistor to 47k ohms (use Vishay Dale 1% replacement), the value that is now recommended by the factory (was earlier and variously, 10k or 22k ohms). This reduces global feedback to about 2.8 to 3 db (from about 8 or 9 db for the 10k ohm value) and works fine with my Piega P-10 loudspeakers which do not need a lot of dampening because they have a lot of control in the bass. Your mileage may vary. Volume control setting for a level at 2:00pm went to 11:30am from the change, quite noticeable.
What these amps do well is separate the soundstage from the speakers (especially with better power cords on them -- I was just using NBS Statement PC's) and image like crazy, with a real, organic papability to the sound. The bass is extraordinary for tube amps and they can really put out in the bottom octave. Lowering the global negative feedback, as I did, increases output impedance and reduces bass output a bit, but this is easily adjusted for if you use a subwoofer as I do. The Piegas have extraordinary bass capability for a box speaker of their size, as others have noted, but the subwoofer helps at the very bottom, the way I have things set up. The sound of the 280 MB's is not very tubey at all. While they do not have the distanced reserve of much solid state stuff, they have a very extended and airy treble (especially on the Piega ribbon mid-ranges, and with the tweeters in the front and back) and a very chrisp and clean transient response. This is not the stuff tubes were made of in years past. Tube amps are much better than they were a decade ago. This was confirmed during my amp odessey when I tried a pair of M-80 Quicksilver mono blocks which are not even close to the 280 MB's in any regard. Bass impact is considerable and bass transients are handled well too. With the lights off and 24 EL34s ablaze on the two chasses, it is like being in front of a fireplace. You definitely know the electrons are flowing. I have moved one NBS Statement power cord to the CAT preamp where it will stay because it really improves that piece and I might try the other on the ML 360S DAC which requires a right angle adapter which I have ordered for trying non-ML power cords. I am now looking for PC's for the Carys but I hate to fork up for two more NBS Statements which, from the testing I have done, I do not really think are really necessary.(They do make a night and day difference on the Krell FPB 300's and 600's amplifiers however -- life and death stuff there.) However, what PC's are cost effective for the Carys and let them separate well from the speakers as the NBS Statements do, I do not yet know. All in all the 280 MB's are very fine amps.

Product Weakness: heavy, pricey, many tubes to babysit and replace someday.
Product Strengths: good transparency, good power, good transient response, good bass and airy treble and they sound real from the next room. Look terrific in Chinese red.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cary CAD 280 MB's
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CAT Ultimate MK II
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Audio Note 2 transport
Speakers:	Piega P-10s
Cables/Interconnects:	Stealth M-21 + Stealth PGS ICs and JPS Superconductor Plus biwired Spkr Cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	classical plus what my kids give me
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 15 x 15
Room Comments/Treatments:	not a problems
Time Period/Length of Audition:	several months now
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	double Bybee filers on Spkrs
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	heavy, pricey, many tubes to babysit and replace someday.
Product Strengths:	good transparency, good power, good transient response, good bass and airy treble and they sound real from the next room. Look terrific in Chinese red.