Carver C-9 Sonic Hologram Generator

Strong Bad
Strong Bad Posts: 4,278
edited November 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
My mint Carver C-9 arrived yesterday via Fedex. I snagged this off the 'Bay for $90 (with shipping). Last night I gave it a quick low volume test and was very happy with what I heard. I have it mixed in with my (source order) Denon DVD2900, Dodd ELP tube preamp, Carver m1.5t amp and out to the Polk LSi25's. The C-9 is inserted at the Preamp out spot, then the C-9 goes into the amp.

I didn't change the angle of the speakers, even though the manual says to do so and will be testing further today with considerable more volume.

I like what i've heard so far! For those not familiar with it, the Carver Sonic Holography technology was their version of the SDA Technology from Polk. Where Carver did it electronically, Polk did it sonically with added drivers and special circuitry.
No excuses!
Post edited by Strong Bad on
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2011
    Based on the gear that you are using,I'll bet it does sound pretty sweet.Congrats.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited October 2011
    Strong Bad wrote: »
    For those not familiar with it, the Carver Sonic Holography technology was their version of the SDA Technology from Polk. Where Carver did it electronically, Polk did it sonically with added drivers and special circuitry.

    Sonic Holography was my first venture into Stereo Dimensional effects and I loved it!! I still have a C-9 kicking around here somewhere. Great little unit. I have SDA's now and the two are not compatible (unless you like you sound really freaking weird) so the C-9 collects dust because I can't bring myself to sell it because of how much I loved it. ENJOY!!!
    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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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2011
    Strong Bad wrote: »
    Where Carver did it electronically, Polk did it sonically with added drivers and special circuitry.
    Pretty much how Matt explained it to Bob once upon a time.... I've found the Sonic Hol sweet spot to be very narrow compared to SDA's. You?

    Then there are those who have dared to use a C-9 to feed SDA's... Some report seeing God; others simply wet themselves.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2011
    The sweet spot only needs to be one person wide.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2011
    Tour2ma wrote: »
    Pretty much how Matt explained it to Bob once upon a time.... I've found the Sonic Hol sweet spot to be very narrow compared to SDA's. You?

    Then there are those who have dared to use a C-9 to feed SDA's... Some report seeing God; others simply wet themselves.

    Using both results in nothing special aside from smearing and worse localisation of instruments. I don't recommend using both.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2011
    First, when did you move to the UK?

    Second, did my C-9/SDA comment really need a smiley?
    George Grand wrote: »
    The sweet spot only needs to be one person wide.
    Sez Lonesome George...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2011
    If you set the speakers up properly, ie perfect triangle, the effect is much more pronounced.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2011
    George Grand wrote: »
    The sweet spot only needs to be one person wide.

    were still talking audio,,right :lol:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2011
    george daniel wrote: »
    were still talking audio,,right :lol:

    You guys are talking party. With only one chair in the room, I'm talking audio.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2011
    Why would you even want the sweetspot to be more than one person wide? Why invite distractions?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited October 2011
    The porch speakers by the pool are Sonic Hologram setup, not sure if anyone heard them since it rained for 2 days during PF2011.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • Strong Bad
    Strong Bad Posts: 4,278
    edited October 2011
    I have to say after thoroughly testing the C-9 out with the LSi25's...WOW! The C-9 opened up the image and detail quite a bit. I did let it loose today with Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms SACD. Track 4 "Your Latest Trick" is very impressive! I'm very happy with what i'm hearing.

    George and Troy...1 chair and the two channel rig in that room. Nothing else to screw it up or get in the way! The sweet spot is as wide as it needs to be.
    No excuses!
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  • RichP714
    RichP714 Posts: 45
    edited November 2011
    The SDA tech provided a wider sweet spot, the Sonic Holography a more pronounced effect. Interesting info on both at:

    http://www.thecarversite.com/yetanotherforum/default.aspx?g=posts&m=18282#post18282
    The web's most visited Carver audio forum: http://thecarversite.com
    Carver mk II series audio amplifiers http://carvermk2.com
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