Surround Processor Reviews

Cary Audio Design Cinema 12 Surround Processor & Model 7.125 Multichannel Amplifier Specs

Specs

Cary Audio Design Cinema 12 Surround processor
Audio Decoding:
Dolby: TrueHD, Digital Plus, EX, Pro Logic II/IIx, Headphone
DTS: DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS, ES, 96/24, Neo:6
Audyssey: No
Other: Cirrus Extra Surround mode (CES 7.1), HD Radio
3D: Yes
THX Certification: No
Video Processing: Switching only
Auto Setup/Room EQ: Proprietary
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 17.7 x 4.5 x 16.5
Weight (pounds): 25
Price: $4,995
Connections
Cary Cinema 12: Inputs: VIDEO: HDMI 1.4a (4),
AUDIO: Coaxial digital (7), optical digital (7), 7.1-channel analog (1), stereo analog (7 RCA + 1 XLR), digital XLR (1)
Outputs: VIDEO: HDMI 1.4a (1) AUDIO: Optical digital zone 2 (1), 7.1-channel XLR (1), preamp (7.1), stereo analog zone 2 (1)
ADDITIONAL: RS-232 (1), 12-volt trigger (3), zone control input (2) FM/AM antenna (1)

Cary audio design Model 7.125 multichannel amplifier
Number of Channels: 7
Rated Power (watts per channel): 125 into 8 ohms, 190 into 4 ohms, number of channels and distortion not specified
Specified Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/– 0.1 dB
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 17.7 x 7 x 16.6
Weight (pounds): 55
Price: $3,995
Connections
Model 7.125 amplifier: Inputs: XLR (7), RCA (7)
Outputs: Five-way binding posts (7)
Additional: RS-232 (2), 12-volt trigger (1)

Company Info
Cary Audio Design
919-355-0010
caryaudio.com

COMPANY INFO
Cary Audio Design
919-355-0010
caryaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
sealman's picture
Submitted by sealman on April 13, 2012 - 11:39pm

I have reread the review for this (Cinema 12) several times now and I still can't get over the fact that it was awarded a Top Pick.

To just gloss over the (buggy/broke) automated setup problems in this unit and give it a Top Pick is ridiculous.
If I bought a preamp that costs 4k I would hope there was a working automated setup.

If I remember correctly there was an Onkyo receiver reviewed in the same issue (that the Cary was) that had some video decoding issues that were fixed by a firmware update. It sounded like the reviewer would have not have given a Top Pick without the firmware update, and rightly so!
So why the Top Pick on the Cary when it is obviously flawed? Stellar sound quality just does not erase the fact that the Cary was not ready for review.

Lets not even get into the meager HDMI inputs......

jeffkad1's picture
Submitted by jeffkad1 on May 22, 2012 - 1:19pm

It would be highly instructive if you compared the Cary set-up to the Classe set-up you reviewed last year. Especially processor vs processor and amp vs amp. You gave 5 stars to both set-ups, so does that mean they were so close in performance to be almost identical? The SSP/CT 800 is the reigning champ in pre/pros. Is the Cinema 12 really on close or equal footing SQ wise? In all aspects: hdmi/digital input, pure analog bypass, steering, etc? Regarding the amp, I have Revel Salon 2 speakers, and I am amazed that the Cary 5 ch amp at 125/190 wpc into 8/4 ohms can really drive them. Any comparative insight would be appreciated.

Thanks...

joseanderson's picture
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