CES 2010

Cary CAD 211 Founders Edition

Erick Lichte  |  Jan 13, 2010

Newly unveiled in the Cary Audio room was the CAD 211 Founders Edition amplifier. This fully balanced monoblock retails for $20,000/pair. The amps have taps for 4, 8 and 16 ohm speakers and specified as putting out 70W in class-A, increasing to 110W when pushed into class-AB. They also employ zero feedback so I'm not going to send them to JA's test bench (low-feedback designs seem to make him grumpy). They sounded sweet and full-bodied driving the Marten Coltrane speakers, with cabling by Tara Labs. It is ironic, however, noted JA, that Cary founder Dennis Had retired from Cary in the fall of 2009.

COMMENTS
bhagwan's picture
Submitted by bhagwan (not verified) on January 13, 2010 - 9:40am

This speaker can only play with Jorma Prime & nothing else. Tara Labs may be a good cable; but not to be paired with Marten Design.This is a 'classic' speaker - 8 years old & needs a 'face lift' [will get it soon]Maybe @ MOC - Munich 2010 - new Marten Design Coltrane ?All the best to Lief - Marten has come a long way & makes some great speakers.What happened to Vitus + Momento coverage ? Where was that ?

Disgruntled One's picture
Submitted by Disgruntled One (not verified) on November 8, 2010 - 5:15pm

"They sounded sweet and full bodied ..."No kidding !! They're Cary for goodness sake !All of their gear sounds that way ... aka ...BORING, DULL, LIFELESS, SLOW, THICK, FAT, LAZY, SYRUP-LIKE, WOOLY, ROUNDED, ROLLED-OFF, AND WAY OVER PRICED. Personally, for tube gear, I like Audio Research and Atma-Sphere far much more. I would never buy any of their gear. As for Dennis Had and his choice of business partners, may they bot hdie a horrible death soon so their torment in Hell begins that much sooner.

hazyj's picture
Submitted by hazyj on April 25, 2016 - 8:00am

I realize this reply is coming years later, but this kind of ridiculous self-serving slander should never be let to stand without correction IMO.

My interest in the CAD-211 FE comes *because* it has detail and unexpected speed that I couldn't hear with my other tube amps. Rolled-off? Compared to WHAT exactly??!! Your 1976 SS Yamaha receiver? ARC & Atma-sphere? Yes, slightly so. Have you ever stopped to consider that there are some very good reasons that some prefer a slightly diminished top end? I write *slightly* to be literal. The cymbals and snares I heard yesterday were utterly lifelike with my Raidhos. Go figure!

You may have a problem with the company and/or the founder, but by writing your slander you affect people that actually *own* the product. They had the patience and analytical wherewithal to listen long enough to make their choice *wisely* - this isn't a component one purchases by dealer recommendation alone. One doesn't purchase a product like this without thorough consideration of all the facts and consequences.

There are plenty of excellent tube amps out there, and some sound very different from others. So what?? I like the other products you mention VERY MUCH. But I like this Cary *better* than those with my speakers in my room and with most of my music.

J

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