Cary Audio Design CAD-120s mkII or Music Reference RM-9 MkII?

DOH! I was thinking of the amp

I think you meant to say balanced inputs …

Steves RM-9 was lovingly restored by an awesome Music Reference tech at Brooks Berdan. It sports RAM EL34 but I also have a set of RAM 6550 I owe him. All of Roger’s designs are very neutral. The Cary also an excellent amplifier is more lush and romantic in my experience. 
 

I miss Roger, RIP genius!

jim

I had a RM-9 decades ago, and it is/was excellent, BUT, AFAIK, it does not have balanced outs, whereas the Cary does. So, that would be my recommendation

Don't count out the Cary. While I've never heard the RM-9, I did get a long audition of the CAD-120. It was a wonderful sounding amp, that I think can take a bunch of different power tubes with a bias adjustment (probably like most amps). With the meters on the front, it's easy to keep an eye on the bias.

Fortunately, my friend, who I bought it from, had just retubed it with EL34's; so, I have a lot of time left before I need to invest in new tubes.  

One tweak I am considering (though I will speak with Jim first) is having a port installed on the amps' power cord end (currently hard wired), to enable the use of an upgraded cord. But, I still love the amp. 

@spe Glad you lucked into the RM-9 experience.  I love my RM9 MK2 with vintage RFT "Siemens" EL34 tubes.  Also sounds great with Gold Lion KT88's.  It's a great all-around amp that's difficult to beat in the $4K price range if properly maintained and tubed.

Recently, one of my PSE Studio V solid state mono blocks failed.  While considering whether to repair, a dear friend loaned me his (idle at the moment) RM-9.  I've had hybrid pre-amps from Audio Research for many years, but never owned an all tube amplifier.  So far, after just a couple serious auditions, I don't know if I'll be going back to solid state.  The RM-9 is really bowling me over; awesome micro detail with that beloved rich mid-range. And the bass control is better than I expected.