Carver TFM-55 and SDAS

renowilliams
renowilliams Posts: 920
edited April 2011 in Vintage Speakers
Anyone tried this combo before. I just found a totally restored Carver TFM-55 locally.



Tim
"They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
Amp: Carver TFM-35
Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
Post edited by renowilliams on
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Comments

  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2011
    If it was restored by a qualifies tech like Rolland or Rita go for it. There are many that really like Carver amps paired with Polk speakers, myself included.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,204
    edited April 2011
    I've run one with my 1C's. Very nice combo in my opinion. If the price is right, I'd say go for it.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2011
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    I've run one with my 1C's. Very nice combo in my opinion. If the price is right, I'd say go for it.

    +1, me too
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited April 2011
    They will work very well together.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited April 2011
    I ran my SDA-2's with a TFM-42 and enjoyed it

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • OldmanSRS
    OldmanSRS Posts: 419
    edited April 2011
    I run a TFM-35 and have run a 1.0t both with great sound quality and plenty of power for home use.
    '65 427 Shelby Cobra
    '72 Triumph TR-6
    __________________
    '88 Polk SDA SRS 1.2, with upgraded XO caps and Erse SDA inductors
    '86 Polk SDA CRS+
    '84 Polk Monitor 10A (Peerless tweeters)
    '05 HSU VTF-3 Sub (Original OEM)
    '20 HSU VTF-3 Sub (three more, 100% cloned)
    '93 Carver TFM-35
    '88 Carver M-1.0t
    '88 Adcom GFT-555
    '88 Adcom GFP-555
    '88 Adcom GFA-555 (upgraded/restored)
    '88 Adcom GFA-555 (a second one upgraded/restored)
    '05 Onkyo DV-555 media
    '89 Fosgate 360 Digital Space Matrix
    '89 Fosgate 360 Digital Space Matrix, internal surround amp bridged to drive only a center channel
    '91 Kenwood Basic M1D Amp
    '89 Pioneer Laser Disc media
    '89 Sony SuperBeta HiFi media
    One PGA2310 based custom built remote volume control
    Four Polk T-15's
    Four Polk TSi-200's
    Four Polk TSi-100's
    Two Polk CS-10's
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited April 2011
    I've run a TFM-45 with my SDA 1C's and it sounded awesome. The only reason it's not still on is that my upgraded Eico tube integrated sounds even better (to me).
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • backsigns
    backsigns Posts: 87
    edited April 2011
    I have run a TFM 55 with my SDA 2's for years and am very happy!
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited April 2011
    I run a 45 and a 35. I've never run across a 55 locally when I had some change in my pocket. What's the difference between the 45 and 55? Perhaps, that the 45 was modded to sound like the Silver 7s? ... or was it just a newer rev of a similarly powered amp?

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2011
    TFM-45 - 375 W @ 8 ohm, 500W @ 4 & 560W @ 2
    TFM-55 - 380 W @ 8 ohm, 600W @ 4 & 650W @ 2 & 1200W bridged mono
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  • OldmanSRS
    OldmanSRS Posts: 419
    edited April 2011
    Carver TFM-35 SPECIFICATIONS
    Frequency Repsonse: 20-20kHz +0,-0.2dB
    Power Output: FTC 20hz-20khz
    8ohm 250 watts per channel
    4ohm 400 watts per channel
    2ohm 750 watts per channel
    Bridged mono power output: 800 watts into 8 ohms
    THD: less than 0.08%
    Dynamic Headroom: >1.0dB @ 8ohms both channels driven
    Gain: 29.0 dB (+/- 0.5dB)
    Input Impedance 47 kohms
    Damping Factor: >150 typical (20hz-20 khz)
    '65 427 Shelby Cobra
    '72 Triumph TR-6
    __________________
    '88 Polk SDA SRS 1.2, with upgraded XO caps and Erse SDA inductors
    '86 Polk SDA CRS+
    '84 Polk Monitor 10A (Peerless tweeters)
    '05 HSU VTF-3 Sub (Original OEM)
    '20 HSU VTF-3 Sub (three more, 100% cloned)
    '93 Carver TFM-35
    '88 Carver M-1.0t
    '88 Adcom GFT-555
    '88 Adcom GFP-555
    '88 Adcom GFA-555 (upgraded/restored)
    '88 Adcom GFA-555 (a second one upgraded/restored)
    '05 Onkyo DV-555 media
    '89 Fosgate 360 Digital Space Matrix
    '89 Fosgate 360 Digital Space Matrix, internal surround amp bridged to drive only a center channel
    '91 Kenwood Basic M1D Amp
    '89 Pioneer Laser Disc media
    '89 Sony SuperBeta HiFi media
    One PGA2310 based custom built remote volume control
    Four Polk T-15's
    Four Polk TSi-200's
    Four Polk TSi-100's
    Two Polk CS-10's
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited April 2011
    I actually purchased a redone TFM-45 from thsmith. I used it on a set of 2Bs and now on some 2.3s. I am happy with the performance and they seem to sell quickly if you don't like it.
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited April 2011
    I have (2) 55s, a 35 and a 25. The 55 runs my 2.3tls with ease. It also does good with my SRS 2s. I'd say go for it and enjoy the music.

    .
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    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited April 2011
    Well I sent an e-mail to the guy....He does want $800.00 but resisters and caps have been replaced and the unit cosmetically looks new.

    Heres a picture of the unit

    http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/view_images.php?cat=Amplifiers&catnick=amplifiers&cfid=225913&image_id=2251954
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2011
    Fongolio wrote: »
    I've run a TFM-45 with my SDA 1C's and it sounded awesome. The only reason it's not still on is that my upgraded Eico tube integrated sounds even better (to me).

    Same with me-- the TFM series are very respectable--TFM 45 with 1C's and 2.3's,,, it took tubes to take me/mine to the next level,,and I am much poorer financially now.:wink:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited April 2011
    Well if he sent it to Rolland that's $350 for the re-do (or there abouts). $500 for a stock 55 is about the going rate. A little pricey for the States, but up in the frozen north, it's probably reasonable.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited April 2011
    IF,it wasn't sent to Rolland or Rita's, I'd be very insistant in wanting to know just who did the re-do work. A lot of people work on the Carver mag. field amps......that shouldn't.:eek:
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited April 2011
    $800 is a little steep even for a refurbished unit. Like they said above, find out who did the work, sounds like a minimum rework.

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    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited April 2011
    dang, that sounds close to used tube money:confused:
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited April 2011
    Well I found a TFM-35 in the local Buy and sell. This guy bought this unit new and sent it to Carver for modding. I will get it Wednesday and will give my impressions after some listening. Here are some pics;

    https://cid-f2849b11334ed06a.photos.live.com/play.aspx/Emailing%20amp4%5EJ%20amp5%5EJ%20amp6%5EJ%20amp7%5EJ%20amp1%5EJ%20amp2%5EJ%20amp3/amp7.jpg?Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,450
    edited April 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    IF,it wasn't sent to Rolland or Rita's, I'd be very insistant in wanting to know just who did the re-do work. A lot of people work on the Carver mag. field amps......that shouldn't.:eek:

    SO true I bought my TFM45 from a guy that told me his tech knew everything that one could know about working on electronics and was in the business for 25yrs. My first listen I told him something was really wrong with it. His response was the tech made it put out 600wpc into 8ohm so the 375 was what Bob Carver settled on and the amp was more than capable of 600wpc I laughed. I came back with I'll give you 400.00 and send it off to Bob and you pay me 1/2 of what the repair cost is if your so sure of your tech. He agreed One month later it came back and he owed my 390.00 seems his guy REALLY fouled it up. There was a nice little 3 page letter from Rita about how that guy could not of remotely knew what he was doing. I gave him a break my out of pocket was 200.00:biggrin:
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