Which Carver to try?

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
edited March 2005 in Electronics
I'm perfectly happy with my Parasound, but there are other brands that I want to start trying, one at a time...

I'm gonna start with Carver, so my question is, which one to try? I'm trying to stay <$400 or so.

This isn't going to be powering a huge set or SDAs or anything, just a set of RTi70s, and set to small (use the SVS to handle all bass), so I don't need tons of power or anything...

I know we've got plenty of Carver guys around here, so chime in and help me out.

grassy-****

EDIT: guess I should mention that Ebay or Audiogon are both options, I'm not looking for a new amp per se.
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited February 2005
    Try the TFM-15,25, or 35. Lots of power for the dollar.

    I don't think you find them an improvement over your Psound, but trying stuff is what this hobby is all about.:D :D:D

    Cheers,

    DG
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited February 2005
    I don't really expect an improvement over the Parasound with anything I try (at least that I can afford), but I've been wrong before.

    I just decided that there are too many brands that I've never really listened to and want to start trying them out...maybe for a month at a time.

    I'll probably sell each amp off as I complete the testing and use that money to fund the next one on the list. I'm starting with Carver because budget is a little tight right now and I know they're fairly cheap. When taxes come in, I'll dedicatearound a grand to this project to get started with some more expensive amps...

    In the end, I'll lose money, but it'll be worth the experience...
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited February 2005
    I have always felt that there is something about Carver & Polk together that just seems right. I can't really put a finger on what it is, but they both come from similar thought patterns about sound reproduction and that creates kind of a synergy that just works.

    DG
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited February 2005
    i'm very happy with my Carver M 4.0t and the Sda 2b's in my 2 channel rig. used will be round 400.00 or so. beefy amp, 500 watts into 4 ohms and i believe 350 or so into 8 ohms.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited February 2005
    ive practiced this method for several years, used to do this with computer upgrades, until i caught the major audio bug..
    some people don't understand when i do this but if done right you wont lose money per say.. most times i make money or have to spend 20 -30 bucks to the next upgrade.. until you get to like parasound level,

    amps ive had and resold are Onkyo,carver, AMC, adcom (x2) Rotel and now parasound which i am most happiest with... It's fun and being some or most of us have to resell to upgrade it keeps things interesting, and its a common practice... I have heard a carver (pauls) on sda's and it does sound really well, his is a M1.0 i think... I never cared for real old amps like carver although i just remembered i did have the famous carver cube and they do sound good and you get tons of power for the money..
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited February 2005
    I've owned or own the m400a, m0.5t, m200t, m1.5t, m4.0/TFM-45 and Silver 9t's.

    While I've found no fault with any of them, my fave (other than the Silver 9t's) is the m4.0t/TFM-45. 375wpc into 8 ohms. Sweet sounding amp with enough power for nearly any application.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited February 2005
    Yup... 'nother vote for the M4.0t... Should be able to snag one in the mid-$300's on the 'bay. It's cousin, the TFM-45, commands an extra $100 or so. I guess folks are into analog meters.

    For even less, mid-$200's to $300, try a M1.5t. Look for one with a Serial Number of 10,000 or higher. These are virtually identical to the 4.0t in SQ.
    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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  • SDA SRS 1.2
    SDA SRS 1.2 Posts: 255
    edited February 2005
    Another vote for the TFM 42/45 - don't think anyone could ever go wrong with this one for just about any application.

    Robbie
    Main System: Polk SDA SRS 1.2 Speakers, Sunfire Signature 600~two Amp, Carver C-16 Preamp, Carver TX-11b Tuner, Marantz 6350Q TT, Philips CDR-775 Recorder, Teac V-707RX Cassette Deck, Signal Cable Double Run Speaker Cable

    Upstairs Den: Marantz 2325 Receiver, Marantz 5220 Cassette Deck, Marantz HD-880 Speakers, Marantz 6370Q TT

    Exercise (Kabuki speaker) Room: Kenwood KR-9600 Receiver, Pioneer CS-99a Speakers, Sansui SP-X9000 Speakers (not pretty, but LOUD! :) )
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited February 2005
    M-500t, M1.5t, M4.0t/TFM-42/TFM-45 (the three are the same amp), and TFM-35 are all amps I use, some for close to 15 years now (M4.0t). They are all reliable, with very little if any sonic signature of their own.

    I would run like the dickens from M1.0t cause I had one and when used with Polk, had a turn-on/turn-off thump that shook the walls. Respected founding members of this forum actually got modification kits from Carver to eliminate them. That would be The Bros. McGowan.
    The M400 cube I always felt was nothing to write home about either.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited February 2005
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    Look for one with a Serial Number of 10,000 or higher. These are virtually identical to the 4.0t in SQ.

    What is it about the newer units that is different?
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited February 2005
    I sent an early 1.5 in for repair (SN #2787 or so) and when it came back it sounded markedly smoother. I called to get the scoop and one of the Service Techs cued me in that in addition to the repairs, they upgraded my early model to the performance of the last that were made.

    Apparently there were 3 generations in the roughly 15,000 M1.5t's made. Conveniently, the breakdown is roughly in equal thirds. The final third included parts obtained for production of the 4.0/ Silver Seven series.
    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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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited February 2005
    Now thats an answer! Thanks!
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited February 2005
    No problemo...

    Do know that the M1.5t has no power switch. Simple solution for me was to leave it on all the time excepting vacations and electrical storms. I rigged a switched outlet for it, but obviously a power strip would work as well.

    The manual actually recommends using a Pre-amp's switched outlet, but the 1.5 pulls a little too much juice to go that route, IMO....
    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 February 2005
    Make it a beefy power strip. I had one rated for 15 amps that CONSTANTLY blew the fuses on both my M1.5t AND the M4.0t.

    I thought it was rather interesting that when purchased new, my M1.5t came with a 15 amp fuse installed, and a second 10 amp wrapped in a note from Carver.

    "We suggest swapping out the 15 amp fuse for the 10 amp fuse for initial use. If you find the 10 amp fuse blows under YOUR normal usage, replace it with the 15 amp fuse. In extreme cases, a 20 amp fuse may be installed and used."

    I failed to mention that the fuses never blew during use, only at power up. Took me awhile to figure out what was wrong, and once I plugged the amps directly into the wall outlet, they never failed again. They have also never failed when plugged into the Adcom ACE-515 which I have used for about 13-14 years now.

    The M4.0t came with a 12 amp fuse installed, and no guidance in the owners manual in the event of potential problems.



    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited March 2005
    Hey PM,

    What Parasound you have? Maybe we can swap for a few weeks or so and Demo. I have been wanting to try somthing new on the SDA's. Let me know

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited March 2005
    Cool... could be the start of a power amp swapping program... :D
    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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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited March 2005
    Originally posted by Tour2ma
    Cool... could be the start of a power amp swapping program... :D

    Yeah Russ break out the storge key :D

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited March 2005
    I have the 1500A.

    Right now I'm having some upgrades done on it, but I wouldn't be opposed to something like that when I get it back...
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  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited March 2005
    What kind of upgrades you having done?

    I have the Carver M 1.0 T,

    200 @ 8.
    400 @ 4
    1000 Mono Bridge.

    Just hit me up when/if you wanna swap out for a bit.

    Pauly
    Life without music would♭
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