Carver amp trouble

Iagent

Hi, I picked up a second hand Carver TFM 45 amp, and it works nice except for the fact that when you shut it off, there is a loud spike through the speakers. The unit was in storage for a long time as well.

Thanks,
Rick

engtaz

Try Carver Forum: http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB2/index.php

engtaz

skipf

Sounds like it needs new caps. You can get it completely rebuilt by Roland (one of the Carver repair techs before the demise of Carver) for $300. As mentioned check the Carver forum for repair details and contact numbers.

Iagent

skipf wrote: »

Sounds like it needs new caps. You can get it completely rebuilt by Roland (one of the Carver repair techs before the demise of Carver) for $300. As mentioned check the Carver forum for repair details and contact numbers.

That sounds great. I think I would like to see if I can get Roland to give it a total refurb.
Thanks,
Rick

treitz3

Try turning it on and keeping it on for a period of a week and a half to two weeks and see if the problem doesn't go away. Storage on vintage gear does weird things, especially with amps. If the spike does not go away, then by all means, send it to Rolland at High Tech Audio. He will not only repair, he will also rebuild the entire amp bringing it to brand new specifications.

Iagent

treitz3 wrote: »

Try turning it on and keeping it on for a period of a week and a half to two weeks and see if the problem doesn't go away. Storage on vintage gear does weird things, especially with amps. If the spike does not go away, then by all means, send it to Rolland at High Tech Audio. He will not only repair, he will also rebuild the entire amp bringing it to brand new specifications.

I really want to send it to Rolland, but for the life of me, I can't find a link to them. Also with further looking under the tin, I can see that this unit has had issues in the past. There is a board that had repair work done, and the Capacitors look to have been replaced. Will Roland work on it evan after it has been tampered with? Should I sell it for parts and try again? I think I may have made a bad mistake buying this unit lol.
Thanks,
Rick

Iagent

Someone has been under the hood already, so I may be in trouble.

treitz3

Hi-Tech Audio Ltd.
2125 SW 19th St.
Gresham Oregon 97080

Office: (503) 618-7605
Fax: (503) 674-8593

This is the repair shop information. Calling him gets the quickest results. I don't know whether I would tell him that it has been serviced before by whomagiggy, as he may not accept the work. Last I heard, he is turning that stuff away because of the amount of time it takes to complete the repair. My advice....play dumb and send it to him, just be prepared to possibly pay a little bit more.

Can you return the amp to the seller, or was it one of those famous "as is" type deals.

treitz3

Another thing, you may want to join the Carver forum [just a thought] as we have a couple of gentlemen on that forum who might be able to assist you in repairing it yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. I believe we have the service schematics and manuals in our forum library.

jakelm

This amp had issues. First pic, it looks like a burnt caps and diodes.

Second pic looks like leaking caps.

Rebuilding is not hard if your a handy man, if not, I would definatly send it off.

dorokusai

I wouldn't waste the money.

Iagent

jakelm wrote: »

This amp had issues. First pic, it looks like a burnt caps and diodes.

Second pic looks like leaking caps.

Rebuilding is not hard if your a handy man, if not, I would definatly send it off.

The leaking look was some avionics cleaner that I used to clean contacts.

Do you think the amp is worth salvaging, or should I take my loosses.

What do you suppose the salvage value of this would be?

engtaz

Better to ask on Carver forum. Very helpful and knowledgeable.

engtaz here and engtaz there

Iagent

engtaz wrote: »

Better to ask on Carver forum. Very helpful and knowledgeable.

engtaz here and engtaz there

I'm still waiting for permission from the Admin to post. It's something you have to request.

jakelm

Iagent wrote: »

The leaking look was some avionics cleaner that I used to clean contacts.

Do you think the amp is worth salvaging, or should I take my loosses.

What do you suppose the salvage value of this would be?

Does it still play well? Any weird smells? Is the only issue the pop when shutting off?


Hard to tell, looks like alot of parts have been changed already.

Iagent

jakelm wrote: »

Does it still play well? Any weird smells? Is the only issue the pop when shutting off?


Hard to tell, looks like alot of parts have been changed already.

It sounds great, but does that one pop when shutting down and the meters spike. It has also blown a couple fuses.

Iagent

This is a bummer as I must have become way too trusting

jakelm

Blown power fuses or speaker fuses? If power fuses, I would check the little bypass cap at the power switch if that goes bad, popping sound for on and off and shorting out to blow fuses.

Maybe other can chime in with more info.
But it looks like this amp needs a complete referb.

Iagent

jakelm wrote: »

Blown power fuses or speaker fuses? If power fuses, I would check the little bypass cap at the power switch if that goes bad, popping sound for on and off and shorting out to blow fuses.

Maybe other can chime in with more info.
But it looks like this amp needs a complete referb.

I believe this is the power fuse, as nothing powers when it is turned on.

treitz3

I would recommend taking it out of your system now, before it damages something else.

Iagent

treitz3 wrote: »

I would recommend taking it out of your system now, before it damages something else.

Yep, it's out and shelved.

DaveS

Rolland is a joy to deal with, he has the knowlege AND ALL of Carver`s OEM parts they had at closing. He goes through each piece power cord to out puts and brings everything up to specs. He`s the go to guy and will treat you right. One call on the phone and you will know what I`m talking about. He won`t lie to you or cheat you in any way. And yes it`s worth fixin`.

treitz3

Hey Dave! Welcome to the Polk Forum. THIS I didn't expect.

For those who don't know, Mr DaveS is one of the two founders and webmaster's of the Carver forum. HE is the only goto guy for all of you who seek ribbon repairs. Yep, that's the guy.

Iagent

DaveS wrote: »

Rolland is a joy to deal with, he has the knowlege AND ALL of Carver`s OEM parts they had at closing. He goes through each piece power cord to out puts and brings everything up to specs. He`s the go to guy and will treat you right. One call on the phone and you will know what I`m talking about. He won`t lie to you or cheat you in any way. And yes it`s worth fixin`.

Do you think he would try fixing my basket case amp?

treitz3

No. He wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Rolland at High Tech Audio is the cat that you should call. DaveS. just repairs Carver ribbons. The only way to find out is to go ahead and call him. BTW, you are probably good to go for the CF if you are interested.

Iagent

treitz3 wrote: »

No. He wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Rolland at High Tech Audio is the cat that you should call. DaveS. just repairs Carver ribbons. The only way to find out is to go ahead and call him. BTW, you are probably good to go for the CF if you are interested.

Thanks, yes I meant Roland. I will give him a call.

engtaz

http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3673
I posted on the carver forum for you. Good advice from bob p.

engtaz

Iagent

You're right in that Roland is a good guy to deal with. He said that he would take on the job and make it better than new. He said that the $300 that I paid for the amp isn't even that bad in the condition that it's in. So I guess I'm half way there, and another $300, and I will have the Carver I had hoped for. I really do appreciate all of the help that I recieved here. Many thanks!

Iagent

engtaz

Nice Amp.

engtaz

Iagent

engtaz wrote: »

Nice Amp.

engtaz

Thanks, I hope it will sounbd as cool as it looks