Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1

    A new CAD280 owner with general questions

    As a recently retired guy looking to get started in a long anticipated hobby (and brand new to Audioshark) , I purchased my first piece of tube audio equipment......a Cary CAD280SAV12. I've had it a couple days and am enjoying all the many qualities this amp seems to possess. So here's a couple questions for those of you who know this equipment. The amp has only one thing that's not working properly. The blue "bias" LED on the front panel for the right bank of tubes stays dark. All the red BIAS LEDs work as expected. Once I got the amp home, I turned down all the bias, let it warm up and then followed the bias setting instructions in the USERS manual. All the "reds" fired up just as expected....but for the single blue front LED. As vague as the USER manual was in respect to the purpose of the blue LED, I wonder if it would be logical to assume its a bad LED and not an electrical problem. Does anyone have experience with this? Next, how is Cary about providing schematics? Will they? I've emailed them for schematics and any service documentation, but haven't heard anything. Not that anything's wrong, but rather so that I have a complete set of related docs. Will they send me parts or specifications for upgrades (such as for the couplers upgrade) And last, I've been building a preamp from scratch and now that I've picked the 280, wonder if Cary would sell a matching chassis. Not necessarily painted or even punched, but enough that I could make my pre-amp match the physical dimensions of my 280. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Super Moderator
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    18,726

    Re: A new CAD280 owner with general questions

    Welcome to the forum
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    St. Louis, MO, USA
    Posts
    3,054

    Re: A new CAD280 owner with general questions

    Welcome. I never dealt with Cary service. They have a positive presence on social media I'd expect them to be responsive to your inquiries.

    I would definitely contact them with your biasing Issue, seeing the importance of biasing and having a reliable way to do it.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  4. #4

    Re: A new CAD280 owner with general questions

    I had this amp a few years ago and it was one of the best sounding amps I ever owned. I only used the red led's next to each tube to bias, never even looked at the blue ones on the front so I can't tell you how they are used. I made a meter to plug into the back to read the values when biasing the tubes, the red lights are close enough, don't bother worrying about a meter. You can run the amp with either 6, 4 or two tubes on each side. In triode mode it's 50 wpc with 6 tubes per channel, 25 wpc with 4 per channel and about 17 wpc with 2 tubes per channel. The amp sounds better in triode mode (but still sounds bad ass in ultra linear) and sounds the best with 2 or 4 tubes per channel. Btw, the 3 amp fuse (fuses?) on the back should be 4 amp slow blow per Cary. The techs at Cary can instruct you on running 2, 4 or 6 tubes per channel and biasing as noted above. It's a great amp.

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

A new CAD280 owner with general questions

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •