Cary Audio Design CAD-120s mkII or Music Reference RM-9 MkII?

@spe Glad you lucked into the RM-9 experience.  I love my RM9 MK2 with vintage RFT "Siemens" EL34 tubes.  Also sounds great with Gold Lion KT88's.  It's a great all-around amp that's difficult to beat in the $4K price range if properly maintained and tubed.

Fortunately, my friend, who I bought it from, had just retubed it with EL34's; so, I have a lot of time left before I need to invest in new tubes.  

One tweak I am considering (though I will speak with Jim first) is having a port installed on the amps' power cord end (currently hard wired), to enable the use of an upgraded cord. But, I still love the amp. 

Don't count out the Cary. While I've never heard the RM-9, I did get a long audition of the CAD-120. It was a wonderful sounding amp, that I think can take a bunch of different power tubes with a bias adjustment (probably like most amps). With the meters on the front, it's easy to keep an eye on the bias.

I had a RM-9 decades ago, and it is/was excellent, BUT, AFAIK, it does not have balanced outs, whereas the Cary does. So, that would be my recommendation

I think you meant to say balanced inputs …

Steves RM-9 was lovingly restored by an awesome Music Reference tech at Brooks Berdan. It sports RAM EL34 but I also have a set of RAM 6550 I owe him. All of Roger’s designs are very neutral. The Cary also an excellent amplifier is more lush and romantic in my experience. 
 

I miss Roger, RIP genius!

jim