Carver AV-405 (409 ?) Worth Having?

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,381
edited March 2012 in Electronics
I am looking at what I believe is a Carver AV-405. The seller said AV-409 but I can't find any such thing. It is a 5-channel amp but he says that he had a tech disable the 2 rears in order to provide better 3-channel performance. I can see where this could make sense but is it a good idea?

I am interested in the amp mainly for 2-ch and I know that there are better Carvers and Adcoms out there but the price seems good.

Anyone know anything about the AV-405? Could this be a good deal or should I save my nickles and dimes?

Thanks
Stan
Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
Post edited by skrol on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited March 2012
    Depends on what he's asking for it and if he truly had a tech disable the rear 2 channels, or if they stopped working due to bad electronics.

    Here is some info on the 405: http://www.carveraudio.com/index.php/amplifiers/av-405

    Here is the manual (from a different carver site): http://thecarversite.com/shell2.htm

    This forum might be a good place to ask some questions: http://www.carveraudio.com/index.php/forum
    "....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)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited March 2012
    A lot of the multichannel Carver amps had what was termed "power steering" which sent unused power to channels that required it. Carver factoids are plentiful at: http://thecarversite.com/yetanotherforum/default.aspx?g=forum
    The resident techs there can probably answer your question.:wink:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • izafar
    izafar Posts: 819
    edited March 2012
    I used to own AV 405, good starter amp if you can get it around $150.
    -izafar

    Goldenear Technology Triton 1 - Benchmark AHB2 - Benchmark LA4 - Auralic Vega - Auralic Aries Mini - Marantz TT-15S1 - Clearaudio Nano
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,381
    edited March 2012
    Thanks for the info. I didn't really see anything on the Carver Site forums for the amp. I may have to join to post the questions.

    The guy wants $135 but with only 3-channels. Apparently the board for the rear channels has been removed and not available.

    He also has a Bravo Audio 6DJ8/6N1 headphone amp that looks interesting.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter