RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
The timing matters because this is a long-running, classic Cary design rather than a current model, so value is mostly about condition and completeness rather than new-product relevance. At US$4,500, it looks like a strong buy versus the recent used market: that sits well below the US$5,273 25th percentile and far under the US$6,047 median, so it reads as a bargain if it’s healthy and properly matched.
That’s a worthwhile piece because the CAD 805 line is well liked for big, saturated midrange tone, vivid imaging, and the kind of single-ended drive that makes vocals and small-scale acoustic music feel alive. If the listing includes original boxes, a full tube set, and clear service history, the upside is even better; the main buyer check is simply that these are serious tube monoblocks, so age, tube condition, and any history of transformer or power-supply work matter more than with many solid-state amps.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Cary Audio was founded in 1989 by Dennis Had in Cary, North Carolina, emerging from humble beginnings on his dining room table where he crafted his first vacuum tube projects. Driven by a passion to restore emotional depth to home music reproduction, the company quickly gained notice with icons like the CAD-300SE single-ended triode amplifier. After Billy Wright joined in 1992 and acquired full ownership in 2009 upon Had's retirement, Cary Audio evolved into a privately held American manufacturer, operating from a 10,000-square-foot facility in Raleigh with 21 dedicated employees handcrafting high-performance gear.
The brand specializes in premium amplification, spanning vacuum tube and solid-state designs, alongside digital components such as network streamers, DACs, and headphone amplifiers. While rooted in tube heritage, Cary has expanded into home theater processors and state-of-the-art digital music centers, prioritizing top-tier components for exceptional musicality across categories. Speakers, turntables, and cables remain outside their core focus, emphasizing instead amplification and source components that deliver transformative sound.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Cary Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its reliable, value-driven products that blend superior engineering with lasting performance. As a boutique American outlier in a global field, it appeals to buyers seeking hand-built excellence at real-world prices, backed by unwavering customer service and a legacy of innovation since its inception.
See all Cary Audio listings on RADAR.
