[hartwerger]

Thanks folks.  I found an RM9 MKII and no longer am in search of. 

I still love the RM 10 that I own, but I heard my speakers with an RM 9 the other day and I think the EL34 tube just might be a better match.  So, if anyone has the legendary RM 9 that you may be thinking of parting with, please drop me a line as I am most interested.  Thanks so much.
Norm

[Hogg]

Norm,

     I thought the RM9 was also an EL84-based amp?  I've only seen one and it has EL84's.

                                                                          Jim

[hartwerger]

You sure you're not thinking of the RM10?  The RM10 uses the 6BQ5/EL84 tube.  I've never seen or heard of the RM9 using that tube. On the outside chance that there is such a critter, I'm looking for the EL34 based RM9.  Thanks so much.

[K.C.]

The RM9 comes with EL34s. I just got a new set of RAM KT88s for mine and it's a step up from the EL34s in my opinion.

[maxwalrath]

They aren't direct substitutes, are they?  I know that in Jolida products (302 and 502) they use different tubes, but after a Response Audio mod they can be subbed in and out.  I guess MR amps already come with the ability to swap them in and out?

[K.C.]

I don't know if they're considered a direct replacement. I do know I can run either EL34s or 6550/KT88s in my RM9 and my Quicksilver Silver 60s. I like the EL34s in the Quicksilvers and the KT88s in the RM9.

[K.C.]

Here are the tubes Roger put in my RM9.

http://www.tubeaudiostore.com/kt88sovtek.html

[K.C.]

The Quicksilvers will also take 6L6s according to the web site.

[jman66]

The RM9 comes with EL34s. I just got a new set of RAM KT88s for mine and it's a step up from the EL34s in my opinion.

K.C.,

What's your impression of the KT88s in your RM-9, coming from EL34s?
Also, what speakers are you driving using the RM-9?
Thanks!

-jim

[K.C.]

Jim the KT88s give a refinement to the mids and bass that bring the entire musical image together. Clarity, definition and depth in the imaging. The EL34s sound great and initially the KT88s sounded a bit dark, until you spend an hour with them and really hear what's changed.

My RM9 is in a very small room, 17 X 9. I'm using a Cal Audio transport > Benchmark DAC-1 > RM9 driving Paradigm Signature S2 monitors. Cables are all mid-range audioquest.

[Hogg]

Here's what you're looking for on Ebay.  Auction ends in 5 days.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Music-Reference-RM-9-Power-Amp-GREAT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ220214177606QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


                                                                                                                         Jim

[doak]

Here's what you're looking for on Ebay.  Auction ends in 5 days.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Music-Reference-RM-9-Power-Amp-GREAT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ220214177606QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


                                                                                                                         Jim

Amazing ,,, I remember buying an RM9 maybe 15 years ago (pre-internet) for $900.
Then another 5 or 6 years ago for $1200.
I see that their stock continues to rise - and IMO for good reason!

I see no indication that the auction item is a MKII (did I miss something?) ... making the BIN price all the more remarkable.

[Ericus Rex]

It is MK II though the listing doesn't say so.  If you look in the pic, between the front and back row of power tubes are the round switches which allow you to adjust bias of each individual tube.  The MK I does not have this feature.  Never seen ebony frame...maybe that part is not original?  They've been going on the gon for around $1750 lately, but it is seldom that they come up at all.

[K.C.]

The price is HIGH. I paid half that for my second RM9 not long ago.

[hartwerger]

Ericus Rex is correct that the RM9 version up for auction is the MKII.  However, those round switches between the tubes are not to adjust bias, but are fuse holders.   Roger Modjeski added fuses for each individual tube with the second RM9 version.  He also added an LED light on each fuse so that when a fuse would blow, you would know which fuse was the culprit rather than having to hunt and check each fuse separately.  There were  some internal changes as well, such as the addition of two choke and two filter caps.  There is a Music Reference Circle on this forum and there are a few posts from Mr. Modjeski himself explaining the different versions, including the coveted SE version for which only 18 were actually made.   Anyway, a special thank to Hogg for the referral to the eBay sale, but I modified my WTB ad some time ago indicating that I found an RM9.   Interesting to note that RM9 for auction on eBay still has the gain switch (you can see it in the middle of the top plate near the front).  The gain switch was standard on the MKI and MKII, but Roger discontinued on the later versions of the MKII.  I don't know why Roger eliminated the gain switch, but he usually only makes changes if there is a sonic benefit.    Thanks again everybody. 

[Ericus Rex]

Oooops!   

Thanks for that claryfication!  I own the MK I version which doesn't have any of those extra fuses.