Followup questions for Ralph:
1) Doesn't the 85db rating suggest that the M60s would be necessary for adequate power?
2) Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but doesn't the 8ohm impedance tell us that zeros shouldn't be necessary?
For OP, as former owner of Cary Rocket 88(older version, not R), Atma-Sphere M1 and Berning ZH270, among other tube amps IMHE:
1) You've already received numerous great comments here characterizing the sound of the Cary vs OTLs
2) For me the OTLs portray much more realism vs the more old school tubey sound of the Rocket, which did tend to smooth things over with a lack of transparency and lack of dynamic jump
3) In limited experience with zeros, I found they blanched the sound in ways that I couldn't live with. I personally wouldn't choose any solution requiring them, although YMMV.
4) Ultimately my suggestion is to commit to your speakers (or not) and then go OTL only if the speaker is a good match for the OTL under consideration without autoformers.
Cheers,
Spencer
1) Doesn't the 85db rating suggest that the M60s would be necessary for adequate power?
2) Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but doesn't the 8ohm impedance tell us that zeros shouldn't be necessary?
For OP, as former owner of Cary Rocket 88(older version, not R), Atma-Sphere M1 and Berning ZH270, among other tube amps IMHE:
1) You've already received numerous great comments here characterizing the sound of the Cary vs OTLs
2) For me the OTLs portray much more realism vs the more old school tubey sound of the Rocket, which did tend to smooth things over with a lack of transparency and lack of dynamic jump
3) In limited experience with zeros, I found they blanched the sound in ways that I couldn't live with. I personally wouldn't choose any solution requiring them, although YMMV.
4) Ultimately my suggestion is to commit to your speakers (or not) and then go OTL only if the speaker is a good match for the OTL under consideration without autoformers.
Cheers,
Spencer