Усилители мощности моно — Cary Audio CAD-211FE

The CAD-211FE is a single-channel valve power amplifier from Cary Audio, sold in pairs at USD 20,000. FE stands for Founder's Edition, and the model updates the classic Cary 211 amplifier, which stayed in production for 17 years. Each chassis is a fully balanced, zero-feedback triode design with 845 output valves driven by 300B triodes, and Cary also aims it at recording and mastering studios.

Key specs that matter

Rated power changes with the class of operation - 70 W in Class A, 110 W in Class AB and up to 150 W in Class B. Each unit carries one 6CA7 used as a current source, one 6SL7 input valve, two 300B driver valves and two 845 output valves. Input sensitivity is 2.0 V for full power, with an impedance of 100 kOhm on the RCA input and 200 kOhm on the XLR input. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.5 dB, and noise and hum sit more than 80 dB below rated output. Consumption is 280 W in operation and 76 W in standby from a 117 or 234 VAC supply. Each monoblock measures 254 mm high, 311 mm wide and 610 mm deep and weighs 41 kg.

Engineering and use context

With no global feedback loop, the circuit depends on how linear its triodes and transformers are rather than on correction from the output. The 300B stage drives the 845 pair directly coupled, and the whole path stays differentially balanced from the XLR socket to the output transformer. One EI laminate power transformer with a 200% duty cycle rating feeds the circuit, while the air-gapped EI laminate output transformer carries the same duty rating. The supply uses four 1500 uF capacitors rated at 450 VDC, resistors are 1% metal film types and coupling capacitors are Cardas gold film and foil parts. Wiring is point to point. A slim meter on the faceplate shows bias current, and a jack at the top rear of the chassis accepts a bias-adjust meter. The standard finish is a Jaguar Anthracite Black steel chassis, with other automotive colours on request. Cary lists five minutes of warm-up and around 100 hours of break-in, and the design supports rolling of the 845 and 300B valves.

Pairing

Three sets of five-way binding posts connect to the 4, 8 and 16 ohm secondaries, so most loudspeaker impedances find a matching tap. Needing a fairly large signal for full power, it suits a line stage with healthy output, ideally one with balanced outputs to use the XLR input.

Alternatives

The Cary Audio SA-500.1 ES is the brand's solid-state Class AB monoblock, rated at 500 W into 8 ohm.