carver amp vs adcom

warlocks1

I am currently running the following setup: Lex DC-2 with Adcom 555 powering Polk RTA-15tl for front, Adcom 555 powering RTA-11t's for rear, Audiosource AMP3 powering RTA-11t's for sides, Adcom GFA-2 (one channel) for Polk CS400. The other channel on the GFA-2 keeps cutting in and out. I have a chance to purchase 2 Carver TCM-15CB for a very good deal. What do you all think of the Polk and Carver mix? If I bought the Carver's I would run them in mono (280 watts) for the fronts and bridge the AMP3 (400 watts) for the center and use the Adcoms for the sides and rears. My other option is to get Adcom all around. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

see my last post about adding cs1000 center. Thanks, Jeff

CHRIS

I like Adcoms. I have had them since I bought my Polk Monitor 12s and down all series 2, 12 years ago. I have never had problem one with the Adcoms-GFA-555s, GFA-565s, GFA-545, an a GFP-565. Blew many a tweeter but never a fuse in any amps. I have never owned Carver on the other hand and won't, I'm happy with my Adcoms. I have a friend who uses Carver IMO they aren't as warm sounding. I'm sure Carver is good just not my pick. I also don't like the newer Adcoms as well as the older models.

jcaut

I'm not disputing anything Chris said, but if you feel you can get a "very good" deal on a couple of TFM15CB's, then I say go for it. With the prices those things bring on E-bay nowadays, I doubt you'd have trouble getting your money back if you're not happy with them. And you might like them better..

I just hooked my RT800i's to a TFM-35, and I think it sounds great. It is the first separate power amp I've owned, however, so I'm not the best person to give advice. How much more would it cost you to get the Adcom's all around?

Jason

warlocks1

Thanks for the replies. I can get 2 of the 15's for $280.00 total. I was going to get the Adcom 200 watt x 3 amp. They usually sell for around $700.00. If I got the adcom I would sell my audiosource Amp3, probably get about $150.00. So the net cost of the Adcom would be about $270.00 more than the Carvers. Money is important by I plan on having this setup for at least a couple of years and don't want to question my decisions if I go with the Carvers.

TroyD

I have a carver m1.5t and an m0.5t.....dig 'em both. A lot of guys around here use carver amps. I haven't heard anything bad about ADCOM either. As far as the Carver's go, I don't think you would be disappointed.

Troy

warlocks1

Sorry, but I have to add a new addition. I just bought a CS1000 center. Since it has powered subs would I be OK just using the one side of the Adcom gfa-2? I think that 100 watts would probably be OK since it has the crossover at 150 hz. Would I gain anything having a more powerful amp? Thanks

CHRIS

Its a cleaner 100 watts then a receiver. I'm sure of the GFA-2 but can it be bridged? IMO you would get more out of the center useing 200-250 watts. Do you have one side of a GFA-555 or maybe get a used GFA-2535 and bridge it and just use the 200 watt channel. They are pretty cheap and if you go 7.1 you have an amp for you backs wth the other 2 channels. If the Carvers will fit the bill go with them unless you want all your amps to match.