Thoughts on Carver TFM-45?

audiocr381ve
audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
edited September 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Anybody have any thoughts on this amp? I could use any info that I could get!

Thanks guys.
Post edited by audiocr381ve on
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    That model is supposed to be the best sounding TFM amp but, there is a fix that it requires that I can't explain because I don't understand that kind of stuff!:frown: If you want Carver technical info you should ask the guys at:http://www.thecarversite.com/ but don't tell them who sent you!:eek::biggrin: That amp has big watts & lots o' headroom.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    gdb wrote: »
    That model is supposed to be the best sounding TFM amp but, there is a fix that it requires that I can't explain because I don't understand that kind of stuff!:frown: If you want Carver technical info you should ask the guys at:http://www.thecarversite.com/ but don't tell them who sent you!:eek::biggrin: That amp has big watts & lots o' headroom.

    My question is do these TFM amps really put out rated power?

    And why are they so light? The TFM puts out around 500 wpc @ 4ohms and weights around 30lbs? Doesn't make sense to me, could someone explain?
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited May 2011
    It's the best sounding amp, IMO, that Carver made. More than enough power for any of your needs.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited May 2011
    I have never listened to the TFM-45, but I have the TFM-35, and it is more power than my SDA-1A's can handle. If I turn the gain up to more than 50% of full value I will blow the 1A fuses protecting the tweeters in my speakers.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited May 2011
    I have a tfm-42 and enjoyed it with my Amazing Plat's and SDA-2's..
    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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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited May 2011
    I am unsure if they hit rated power, but having heard a 35 and a 45 they sure do put out a lot. You will go deaf before you hit clipping in the 45.

    Very nice sounding amp the TFM-45. I would suggest getting your ears on it first though. It has that Phase Linear/Carver sound. Some love it some don't(I love it). On SDA's they sound great so you should be good in either case.
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  • cincycat13
    cincycat13 Posts: 882
    edited May 2011
    At 50 - 90 watts output, my TFM-45 that I aquired from thsmith and already reworked by Roland makes listening uncomfortable without percieved distortion. I use this amp and a NAD 2600 and like them both with no problems.

    It's about sound not power, but I don't have time or resources to roll tubes.

    Tons of information if you search. And there are plenty of followers for the amp so as long as you get into one right, you can dispose of it fairly quickly without losing your shirt.
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  • audiobilly
    audiobilly Posts: 351
    edited May 2011
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    And why are they so light? The TFM puts out around 500 wpc @ 4ohms and weights around 30lbs? Doesn't make sense to me, could someone explain?

    It's due to the power supply. Without going into lots of detail, the original TFM series uses the Magnitic field power supply. The major weight differance is the transformer.

    Here is some good reading to start out with,
    http://carvermk2.com/Docs/Carver%20Magnetic%20Field%20Whitepaper.pdf

    Hope this helps!
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited May 2011
    I've heard that the build quality of these Carver amps is not the most 'robust' but some of you say you've had no problems with them. Some people love that Carver sound, others not so much. I've only heard it a couple of times and it didn't jump out at me but was certainly good enough to think about buying one and spending some time with it for a more informed assessment.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited May 2011
    Hey guys, I bit the bullet and bought the amp. Please refer to my new thread if have any repair experience.
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited May 2011
    I've run a 45 for the last few years with no issues and sent a 35 through Rita's shop about 5 years ago. They have a nice sound and are great bang for the buck solutions. I've never read what they do on a bench, but have never read that they fudged the numbers. As others have said, you'll never reach the limits of the 45. I popped the polys with Luxman and Adcom 200w amps, but never have with either TFMs. I also never play them that loud anymore either.

    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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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited May 2011
    TroyD wrote: »
    It's the best sounding amp, IMO, that Carver made. More than enough power for any of your needs.
    Hey Troy! Besides the esoteric amps or tube amplifiers that Carver made, this one [along with it's brother's] and the M-500t are tied as my favorite for sound. The TFM leans a bit more to the sound of a tube amp to me.

    Congrat's on your purchase, AC381.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    FYI: per Rolland....TFM- 35 models and below are not Magnetic field amps. Only the 42,45,55,75 are "maggies" in the TFM lineup.:wink:
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2011
    so are the 7t and 9t monblocks
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    They're not badged "TFM".:wink:
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  • chonk
    chonk Posts: 20
    edited September 2013
    newbie308 wrote: »
    I have never listened to the TFM-45, but I have the TFM-35, and it is more power than my SDA-1A's can handle. If I turn the gain up to more than 50% of full value I will blow the 1A fuses protecting the tweeters in my speakers.

    I have a Carver TFM-45. How do you turn up the gain on the amp?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited September 2013
    newbie308 wrote: »
    I have never listened to the TFM-45, but I have the TFM-35, and it is more power than my SDA-1A's can handle. If I turn the gain up to more than 50% of full value I will blow the 1A fuses protecting the tweeters in my speakers.

    Again, even at full gain the amp does not put out 500 watts when you turn it on. If your blowing fuses it's because of your listening habits and sticky fingers on the volume dial.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,442
    edited September 2013
    chonk wrote: »
    I have a Carver TFM-45. How do you turn up the gain on the amp?

    you don't unless you get inside. the TFM35x has pots on the back to adjust gain.
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited September 2013
    chonk wrote: »
    I have a Carver TFM-45. How do you turn up the gain on the amp?

    The TFM-35 has a sort of volume knob. That is what I was referring to when I mentioned turning up the gain. Sorry if that was confusing!
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited September 2013
    newbie308 wrote: »
    The TFM-35 has a sort of volume knob. That is what I was referring to when I mentioned turning up the gain. Sorry if that was confusing!

    Its the THX dial on it, my AV-705x has them for each channel as well. The purpose of it was to be able to manually match the SPL between channels if your AVR wasnt capable of adding or subtracting gain itself.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited September 2013
    newbie308 wrote: »
    The TFM-35 has a sort of volume knob. That is what I was referring to when I mentioned turning up the gain. Sorry if that was confusing!

    It's blowing fuses because you are overdriving the amp, which in turn is sending a clipped signal to the speakers.

    The claim that they sound like a tube amp is BS. If one has ever listened to a tube amp it's quite apparent. It may be of interest to know what is done in an effort to emulate the tube sound. A 1.5 ohm resistor is added just before the outputs. That's it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

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