The “world debut” of the Classic Series CAD 120S stereo vacuum tube power amplifier was just announced by Cary Audio Design. The new unit will debut at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This new push pull power amplifier is rated at 60 watts per channel in triode mode and 120 watts per channel in ultra linear mode, both rated into an 8-ohm speaker load. The power utput is rated at full power from 17Hz to 23kHz with rated distortion of less than 1 percent THD. The output circuit may be switched “on the fly” from triode mode operation to ultra linear mode by using a front panel mode operation button.

The vacuum tube complement, for each channel of the CAD 120S, consists of one (1) 6SL7 octal socket vacuum tube for the input stage, one (1) 6SN7 octal socket vacuum tube for the driver stage and four (4) KT 88 pentode output power tubes. The circuit is a Pure Balanced design with separate RCA and XLR inputs. A soft start circuit is built in for long life and easy turn on and it features 2,240 micro farads of capacitance in the power supply section. The output transformers and the power transformer are covered by a single transformer cover painted to match the rest of the chassis.

Front panel meters indicate the circuit bias setting for each channel for the power amplifier. This visually indicates proper operation for the CAD 120S amplifier.

• $5,000
• Shipping March 2007
• Rated at 60 watts per channel (triode); 120 watts (ultra linear)
• Jaguar Anthracite black paint finish; silver anodized aluminum front panel
• Weighs 65 pounds
• Vacuum tube complement, total: 2 - 6SL7 inputs, 2 - 6SN7 drivers, 8 - KT 88 output tubes

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.