Cary 120s

I have limited hours on my 120S (approx 30) so the amp has not reached break-in. I agree with BRF regarding build quality compared to my SLI50 or VAC amp, the speaker binding posts feel cheap (can't use a hex driver) and the chassis exhibits a lot of resonance when tightening the cables (thin sheet metal sound).

I'm in AZ and we recently shot back into the 100 degree days and the Cary makes significantly more heat than the VAC so I've given it a rest until the weather cools off.

My initial impressions in the ultralinear mode is a transistor sound which lacks resolution of fine details and less impact in the bass than I expected. It sounds much better in Triode with a relaxing somewhat distant perspective and much better low level detail. The soundstage is much smaller than the VAC. At this point, I wouldn't characterize it as being an amp that would would want to boogie (more cerebral and introspective). I would say it is more relaxed and less "live" sounding than the VAC. I have not changed tubes and am currently using the stock power cord for break-in. Once the break-in is reached, I will switch to the Nordost Brahma which I use on the rest of my components and see what that does.

One operational negative so far is that I hear hum through the speakers with the volume control past 11:00. This amp has less gain than the VAC and I find it needs more volume especially with the phono stage and then I hear a hum through the speakers which cheater plugs does not change. The VAC does not produce any hum at any volume level. Other than that, it has worked reliably and the bias adjustment is simple.

Brf, I found it odd that if I attempted to drive the 120S from my VAC Renaissance with the switch set to balanced output from the VAC, the sound was muted, and picked up noise from the remote volume control motor. It seems to work just fine using the XLR cables with the output set to single ended. Are you sure the Cary is truly a balanced input? BTW, the Renaissance uses transformers for the balanced outs.

I now have 67 hrs on the amp. I like the sound in triode although it is still a bit laid back. My other Cary amp and the VAC both operate in ultralinear and they don't have the dry grainy/etched sound the 120S exhibits in the ultralinear mode. I find this mode basically a gimmick. BTW It is still setup with stock power cord and tubes and I don't envision any changes there that would alter the performance in ultralinear.
I might try the Manley pre this weekend to see if that is a better match than the VAC.

The amp has approx. 150 hours on it now. It took about 90 hours before the ultralinear mode began to develope some dimensionality with a reduction in grain. At the 100 hour mark, I replaced the stock 18 gauge cord with a Nordost Brahma which didn't seem to make much of an improvement. I changed to a generic 14 gauge cord and the sound improved markedly but I still felt the bass to be light weight. Compared to the VAC, the 120S was more distant, dynamically less expressive, listenable, but basically boring.

I have all components plugged into a Nordost Thor and for experimental purposes I connected the 120S into the wall bypassing the Thor. Wow, what a difference! I believe it is safe to say that any Nordost power product is a poor match for the 120S. The system now has deep solid bass and the dynamics are much improved. The treble grain is virtually gone as well. I'm still using the stock tubes and I have had no reliability issues whatsoever. I'll need to find a better PC than the generic 14 gauge unit I have now. Perhaps there is more to gain from this amp.

I will recant my initial criticism of the ultralinear mode now that it has sufficient hours and Nordost removed from the power supply. The triode mode is still too laid back and mellow for my taste.