Buying a used amp

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vulcan
vulcan Posts: 99
edited August 2012 in Electronics
I am buying another used amp (Carver TFM-35x) to try in my 2 channel system. What are some of the things I should check or look at before I actually hook it up in my system? Thanks!
Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited August 2012
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    Are you able to hear it before buying it? A demo is the best way to test it out. If not, there are other methods.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited August 2012
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    If you can't listen to it, at least power it up and make sure it turns on, doesn't smoke or make funny noises. If you have a DMM, check the speaker terminals for DC voltage, and you could bring an MP3 player with a test tone for the input, then measure the output to see if it matches.
    Jake
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,747
    edited August 2012
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    As stated bring a mp3 player (or even your phone) and connect with a 3.5mm to RCA cable. Bring a cheaper speaker with you and test each channel. This is of course assuming you can actually plug the amp into the wall somewhere (wouldnt use try to do this off a car battery even with adaptors)
    "....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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  • vulcan
    vulcan Posts: 99
    edited August 2012
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    Hooked up the Carver TFM-35x amp tonight, very pleased with what I hear. Better bass and detail,
    sounds great with the SDA 1C's. :smile:
    Polk Audio SDA 1C, Klipsch Legend KLF 20, Klipsch Chorus II
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  • wakkoyh
    wakkoyh Posts: 21
    edited August 2012
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    You guys rock. I never even thought about plugging in my own phone and a small speaker. Brilliant. I'll be using this advice in the next few days. :cheesygrin: Glad the Carver worked out for you Vulcan!
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,189
    edited August 2012
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    I recently considered buying an amp from someone here on the forum, (which felt like a good thing) but was still a little hesitant to pull the trigger. Did a little search and found the same exact amp locally that was used only a handful of times, and an owner that actually came to my house and hooked it all up for the same price I would have paid here, and even got all new high end speaker cords and banana ends. Point is, don't ever be in a hurry, and look around, The right deals are out there to be had!! PATIENCE wins!!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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