Beyond Ecstatic!!

specd_out

I finally reached a point in my HT experience where I can say I am completely satisfied with my rig. Today I purchased the final part. A Carver M1.0t amplifier. I found it locally on craigslist and was able to demo and examine it before purchasing it.

Fearing the worst but hoping for the best I went to see the amp. I get there and come to find out that this guy in his early 60's has decades of audio repair under his belt. His work bench was loaded with diag equipment, tools and vintage audio. He explained to me how he balanced the channels and made sure everything was in spec on the carver. I must have spent an hour and a half just chatting about audio. As i was leaving he did say one thing that impressed me. He said "That it was refreshing to him to see such a young person (I am 28 BTW) taking a interest in quality 2channel audio and not being satisfied with ear plug speakers." Its so true so many people dont under stand or appreciate why spending so much on speakers and equipment is a worthwhile cause. And it is extremely enjoyable to converse with someone who understands. I also find it funny that the amp i purchased was manufactured only 3 years after I was born.

Anyway, he gave me a killer deal. $325 for the amp and for another $20 he threw in a mint Carver C1 preamp and a Carver TX-2 with a minor scratch on the face. Can you say WIN! The unit sounds great. I havent been able to crank it as my wife is sleeping, so i have to wait till tomorrow.

Its one of those super rare second hand purchases that you only dream about.

For those that are interested here is a little bit of history on why this purchase is so important to me.

I grew up listening to my dads Carver TFM15 & Polk RM3000 setup. I remember the sound and now that I am older I have strived to attain that same sound and feeling that I remember from many years ago. But it always seemed unattainable for me. Either I never had the proper equipment with pre-outs to run a proper amp, or I was short on cash and couldnt afford to even consider purchasing an amp.

Well after a little over 4 years since I fell into a deal on my A'5s I have reached my goal. And let me tell you it is everything I remember and better. Even listening at a moderate volume the amp is so warm and clear. Instantly memories of seeing my dad listening to music in the living room came flooding back. While this amp is entirely different then his TFM15 it still has the same overall sound. I cant wait till he come over and has a listen.


If you read all of this sappy stuff, Thanks. If you didnt thanks anyway.

tonyb

Nice to see someone with a wet spot on their shorts. Congrats, nice pickup. Now sit back and enjoy the tunes.

DRAGOMCS

What sweet find and deal! I'm looking for some old gear right now too. I hope I have your success!

Fongolio

You stole that C1!!!! Go back and pay for it right now young man!! Just kidding of course. Great story and great deal. I have a Carver C1 but I paid $175 for it 3 years ago. I've since done an op-amp upgrade to it and an already sweet sounding pre sounds even better. I use it now as a pre for vinyl ripping. Congrats on a totally excellent score.

Kelvin

Sherardp

Awesome and congrats on the amp. Do you have a full pic of your set up would like to see it. Gear rack looks nice, that Pio just compliments everything in that gloss finish.

thsmith

Nice setup and scoree, Congrats!

byfthalone

how cool to not only get a great deal but then to be able to have a sit down with someone with so much history in the "hobby"

cfrizz

Congrats on a great score, enjoy.

specd_out

Thanks guys

Yea I know I stole that C-1 When he first offered for me to take it, I turned him down as I only brought enough cash for the amp. I explained I had my elite and didnt really see the need. When he told me that I could have it for $20, I couldnt pass it up. He had paypal and I jumped on paypal and paid him the difference right there.

I am thinking of using a splitter and running it to the amp and having one line going from my pioneer to the amp for movies, and then one set from my analog out on my bluray to my c-1 then to my amp, for cds and pandora. Obviously I would NEVER have the Elite and the C-1 on at the same time.

Opinions on this, and or different/better methods.

Drenis

You stole that gear for the price. Good grief.

Enjoy man. if that's isn't enough power for you, you have issues. :P

specd_out

Sherardp wrote: »

Awesome and congrats on the amp. Do you have a full pic of your set up would like to see it. Gear rack looks nice, that Pio just compliments everything in that gloss finish.

here is a pic of the front sound stage.

pietro944

specd_out wrote: »

Thanks guys

Yea I know I stole that C-1 When he first offered for me to take it, I turned him down as I only brought enough cash for the amp. I explained I had my elite and didnt really see the need. When he told me that I could have it for $20, I couldnt pass it up. He had paypal and I jumped on paypal and paid him the difference right there.

I am thinking of using a splitter and running it to the amp and having one line going from my pioneer to the amp for movies, and then one set from my analog out on my bluray to my c-1 then to my amp, for cds and pandora. Obviously I would NEVER have the Elite and the C-1 on at the same time.

Opinions on this, and or different/better methods.

Nice score.....beautiful set-up.....You should look into the Revel T-series subs.....I just bought the T-1....with the Neutrik Speakon connector,I can listen to 2ch in pure direct mode or LFE for Ht using just one cable...You won't lose the sub channel in pure direct......peter

steveinaz

That's gonna make a cool vintage rig man. Nice grab!

drumminman

Audio memories are definitely cool :cool: That was a super nice score. I still have some Carver equipment I use. Back in the early 80's I upgraded from Marantz separates with ADS speakers, to the Carver receiver and Polk RTA 12C's.

Still have all that stuff. I suppose I should sell what I no longer use, but for the memories. . . .

Erik Tracy

Nice story and score!

I used to have the M1.0t myself as my first foray into separates - some folks poo-poo the M1.0t, but I found it to be a killer amp.

Enjoy the sonic goodness!

WilliamM2

specd_out wrote: »

I am thinking of using a splitter and running it to the amp and having one line going from my pioneer to the amp for movies, and then one set from my analog out on my bluray to my c-1 then to my amp, for cds and pandora. Obviously I would NEVER have the Elite and the C-1 on at the same time.

Opinions on this, and or different/better methods.

I wouldn't use a splitter. They are for sending one signal to two inputs, but not for sending two signals to one input, and some equipment can be damaged that way.

You could use a switch like this, and ignore the video jacks:

http://www.amazon.com/Sima-SVS-14-Input-Manual-Selector/dp/B00005NCWK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330105707&sr=1-1-spell

Or for a bit more add remote control:

http://www.amazon.com/SW200-Composite-Selector-Compatible-Satellite/dp/B00062NHTS/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1330106263&sr=8-30

BlueFox

specd_out wrote: »

here is a pic of the front sound stage.

Very nice!!!

It is good to see a correctly wall mounted TV instead of being over a fireplace. :sad:

Polkersince85

Nice setup. Make sure to give the amp a little fresh air.

specd_out

Thanks for the compliments guys. I am really enjoying it. I listen before work and when I get home. I am digging deep into my cd collection try out different cds to see what sounds best.

I decided to go a different route instead of the y-cables. After talking to a few people on the carver forums I used the preouts on my vsx to my C-1 and from my C-1 to my 1.0t. I set the volume around 50% so that I still get the most out of the C-1. Then I use my Pioneer to control the volume. I get the best of both worlds High quality 2 channel, and the ability to use the C-1 in my 5.1 setup. BTW Sonic Holography sounds awesone when used in 5.1.

The 1.0t is a very underated Amp. One of the Carver gurus tested it and got high 300rms before it started to clip. Thats alot of headroom. I have to have it really cranking to get those LEDs to move 1 level. Alot of people say that its rated so low because it was the T-mod for a Conrad Johnson Amp that was rated at 200 watts. Either way I have no fear of clipping this amp, especially with how efficent the Rtia5's are.

specd_out

Polkersince85 wrote: »

Nice setup. Make sure to give the amp a little fresh air.

I dont mess with heat. I have a 230mm fan above my Elite and 2 120mm's behind the Carvers. Both sucking hot air out rather then blowing in. Its all connected to a switched outlet so it comes on when the stereo does.

halo71

Very cool! I'd like to compare that C1 to my Phase Linear 3000 Series II preamp.