Cary Audio CAD-805RS Amplifier
The CAD-805RS delivers a richly musical, deeply involving single-ended Class A sound, pairing 50 watts of tube-driven presence with a full-bodied low end. Audiophilepure found it engaging across every record, while its substantial transformers, premium parts, and flexible speaker taps make this American-built monoblock a compelling high-end statement.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
91/100
Pros
Consistently engaging, musical presentation that made every record enjoyable.
Generous deep bass remains musical and fun rather than uncontrolled.
High-quality parts, evident labor, and substantial transformers support strong premium-value credentials.
Cons
Deep-bass balance is more generous than strictly neutral.
WATT RECOMMENDS
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The supplied listening report finds the CAD-805RS thoroughly engaging and enjoyable across every record played. Its one tonal reservation is an unusually generous low end, though the reviewer stresses that it remains musical and often fun rather than becoming a distraction.
Transparency Resolution
84/100
The review’s description of consistently enjoyable, engaging playback suggests a clean and involving presentation. It does not directly discuss fine-detail retrieval, treble air, noise floor, or resolution in enough detail to make stronger claims.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
Musical engagement is the clearest reported strength: the reviewer enjoyed every record played through the monoblocks. Bass is described as more generous than neutral, but never unmusical and frequently decidedly fun, indicating a rich and pleasure-first balance.
Dynamics
86/100
The review does not specifically assess transient attack, large-scale headroom, or difficult-load control. Still, the amplifier’s engaging, enjoyable character and the reviewer’s positive response to its full low-frequency output support a confidently delivered presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
86/100
The supplied review does not directly address image focus, stage width, depth, or layering. Its strong overall listening verdict indicates no apparent spatial shortcoming in the reviewed system, but more specific imaging evidence is unavailable.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The reviewer specifically notes the quality of the parts and the evident amount of labor invested in these US-made monoblocks. The design is also substantial in execution, with single-ended pure-Class-A operation, dedicated output transformers, large high-voltage capacitors, selectable 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm outputs, and an 85-pound chassis per amplifier.
Value for Money
91/100
At $15,995 per pair in the review, the CAD-805RS is positioned as a premium purchase, but the reviewer explicitly calls it good value. They further note that the transformer cost alone makes the retail price difficult to imagine, lending unusually concrete support to the value praise.
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Specifications
- Circuit Type
- Single-Ended Pure Class A
- Power Output
- 50 Watts Pure Class A
- Feedback
- 0 to 10 dB, continuously variable control
- Frequency Response
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB at Full Power Output
- Power Consumption
- 230 watts – OPERATE, 76 watts – STANDBY
- Input Impedance
- 150k ohms
- Output Impedance
- 4, 8 and 16 ohm speaker connection terminals
- Signal to Noise
- > 80 dB below rated output
- Sensitivity
- 1.0 Volt @ zero feedback for full output
- Power Supply Capacitors
- 4 – 1500 Fd @ 450V
- Power Transformer
- 1 – EI Laminated core power transformer 1 – Special air-gap output transformer 200% duty cycle on all transformers
- Tube Complement
- 2 – 6SN7 input tubes 1 – 300B driver tube 1 – 845 output tube or (Please choose 845 or 211 during install) 1 – 211 output tube (Please choose 211 or 845 during install)
- Warm-Up Time
- 5 minutes, after initial break in period
- Break-In Period
- 100 hours of music playing time
- Finish
- Jaguar 'Anthracite Black' chassis
- Dimensions
- 10" H x 12-1/4" W x 24" D
- Weight
- 85 lbs.
Manufacturer's Description — Cary Audio
About the CAD-805RS Amplifier
Considered by The Absolute Sound as one of the ten most important amplifier designs of all time, the CAD-805 continues its legacy with the Reference Series CAD-805RS, epitomizing SET mono-block amplifiers’ excellence. Its circuit and parts upgrades ensure it remains at the benchmark for SET audio performance. SET amplifiers, characterized by their pure Class-A operation, distinguish themselves from other amplifiers, showcasing a harmonic richness that sets them apart. Please note that all SET amplifiers are pure Class-A, but not all Class-A amplifiers are SET.
SET enthusiasts praise the CAD-805RS for its holographic soundstage, harmonic richness, and lush midrange, delivering an immersive listening experience across music genres such as jazz, vocal, and classical. With the flexibility to choose between the included 845 and 211 output tubes, you can tailor your sound preference to either a rich, lush sound or a more linear, powerful profile. Experience the magic of music like never before with the CAD-805RS—where every note resonates with unmatched clarity and depth.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Cary Audio CAD-805RS Amplifier
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Aktoren — online and in-store — Horten, Vestfold, Norway (website)
- Audio Classics — in-store — New York, United States (website)
- Audio Revolutions — in-store — Khwaeng Thung Phaya Thai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (website)
- Audio Tempel — online and in-store — Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands (website)
- Audiogears — in-store — Casalecchio di Reno, Emilia-Romaña (website)
- Audiotehnika — in-store — Centra rajons, Latvia (website)
- Class D Audio USA — online — United States (website)
- deciBel Audio — in-store — Chicago, Illinois, United States (website)
and 13 more verified dealers