2. amps-preamps
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Experience with Cary CAD 808, "Rocket 88"

So, I'm building a new (older gear) kit around a Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 line-stage and a soon to be rebuilt to spec Cary "Rocket 88" 20-30 watt tuber. Pretty excited by the pairing but don't currently have many speaker options that will perform at optimum with these two components. I have some JM Reynaud, Twins MkII that should be great but also know my Focal, Profile 908 and Linn, Keilidh are not a fit as they're both a bit power hungry. Can anyone report on what they've played with this amp successfully? If you had this combo of pre/power in your kit I'd be interested in knowing how you felt they meshed together. Have a smaller music specific room with standard 8' ceilings and 36'Lx22'W dimensions. Room is well furnished but has great acoustics. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. - B
128x128bgross

Showing 4 responses by decooney

decooney
1,906 posts
 
@bgross
Better matching 8ohm & higher sensitivity speakers can help.
decooney
1,906 posts
 
While the "R" model is 10w more in Triode mode than the standard model, it appears your SF CD speakers are 88db/1w sensitivity (4ohms).  You might not be getting replies as the std model is less rare than the higher power R model.  Also, many have changed coupling caps in the Rocket 88 with some degree of success. 

As for tubes, the Raytheon 12BZ7s are decent, not overly warm, and I’m wondering about two things for you.

1) Are they truly NOS tubes, like never broken in, need more time to settle in? Give them 30 days.
2) Do you have access to (8ohm) speakers above 90db sensitivity to try?
decooney
1,906 posts
 
@bgross
I fully understand, and have owned multiple amps from DH, Cary, Inspire, and R models which included his design and love for the grainy sounding 12BZ7 tube. He use to call them easy-to-find TV tubes... And, of course while all of these amps I used had 4/8 ohm taps, I’m simply noting his amps do much better with speakers above 4ohms. Lots of the lower power Inspire owners enjoy 8-ohm and 16-ohm speakers with great results with these lower power tube amps by DH. I too run my own 4 ohm custom designed and built speakers now.  Ended up reluctantly selling my amps from Cary and Inspire by DH and went with another brand of Mono amps to better drive my own larger 4ohm custom speakers. If I could change them to 8ohm in the right way, I would have, but other issues to contend with. With 8ohm speakers and above, its just seems to drive the speakers more effortlessly, more "dynamics", they just "flow" better with these lower power tube amps. Speaker matching is the key to success with these amps. Best of luck. Enjoy!
decooney
1,906 posts
 
@bgross
Keep us posted on how it goes with the Spendor Sp1/2e combo if you got that path. While I’ve never heard those, always wanted to test them too. Agree on your comments on the box/design and sound. A buddy has some Harbeth 3-ways like those Spendors you are looking at. I heard them with some nice Cary amps, similar to the Rocket88.. That spendor is a neat speaker design, nice midrange, that could be a fun match with your amp. Good luck.
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