Anyone heard the new Cary CAD-500MB monos ?

Elberoth.

Since you live in Europe, try to get and have a listen to them first and ask what transformers they have in them.

Me I have had nothing but problems with mine living in Australia. First the transformers the used were insufficient in quality to work properly on 240 vlts. (it gets up to 250vlts down here at night) The tranformers buzzed and noise came thru the speakers. Worst of all pops like lightening bolts came thru the speakers anytime a light or oven was switched on or off.

Cary eventually sent replacements with better rated transformers they got from Germany. I received them a couple of weeks ago.
They are a lot better, however I have send one of the monoblocks back to the importer this week as the transformer still buzzes and he is going to replace the transformer with a new one.

So I have had mine since April, but only played music for about a month.

Sound wise they are very good

I know how you feel - my Lamms also buzz a bit, but at least not through the speakers.

It seems that I will have to check at Cary if the problem has been solved.

I've had a pair of 500MBs for about four months now driving Maggie 3.6's on MYE stands. You can't go wrong! They are quite powerful and have a warmth about them that I've only heard from tube amps. Actually they sound very similar to the Counterpoint NP-220 they replaced. Just tighter bass and faster transients in the highs but the warmth is still there which is what I was really looking for and amazed to find. I occasionally pop the midrange fuse because it's hard to find that threshold where the sound degrades at very high volume. These things just get louder but with the same sound quality through out almost the entire range of volume. Once they are broken in I think you'll be very impressed.

Regards,
Danton

I just wanted to add that I finally traded my Lamms for the Carys. They are a far better match for may system (much more flesh on the bones), and at least as good as the Lamms overall. It comes as a surprise, since they cost only 1/3 of the price of Lamms !

I have also to add, that their full potential was ONLY realized after placing them on Finite Elemente Cerapuc footers (200$ a pair) bypassing the original rubber feet.

For whatever reason, those footers elevate the sound quality of Carys beyound disbelieve. The microdynamics, resolution, low level details retrival are miles better with theose footers placed under the amps.

I highly recommend this upgrade to any CAD-500MB owners.