Carver Amazings

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited January 2008 in Speakers
http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-Amazing-Silver-Edition-Speakers_W0QQitemZ230209604330QQihZ013QQcategoryZ14993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am on the verge of pulling the trigger on these babies. Can someone please look at this page to see if any alarms go off in your mind. What questions should I ask the seller. It appears he has several Carvers which gives me a sense that he is a true audiophile who likely takes good care of his gear.

If I buy these, should I consider any crossover or driver upgrades?

Thanks,

Mike
Post edited by SolidSqual on
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Comments

  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2008
    Hard to see anything wrong in the pic. How does he know the surrounds have no issues? I would go hear them and if they immediately warm you up then take them home, I would ask to see the other Carver speaks he mentions, how come he has so many???

    RT1
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    Right, I want to go out there and listen to them. If he says I have to give him money first then I am passing them by.
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited January 2008
    There are a pair of Amazing in Dallas that I could've gotten for $500 recently. I never got back to the people but I bet they were in great shape and hadn't been used in years.

    If anyone in Dallas would like, I can try to find their email address, or just look for carver on CL dallas, find the ad selling a bunch of carver gear with the amazings, email and tell them you willd do $500.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited January 2008
    If you really want a pair of amazings, Why not wait for the platinum mk4?
    These look ok, I'd listen to them and check them physically before buying.
    The price is reasonable if the woofers are intact.
    They will need a crossover and wiring upgrade as most of the carver amazings do.
    Good luck.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited January 2008
    AndyGwis wrote: »
    There are a pair of Amazing in Dallas that I could've gotten for $500 recently. I never got back to the people but I bet they were in great shape and hadn't been used in years.

    If anyone in Dallas would like, I can try to find their email address, or just look for carver on CL dallas, find the ad selling a bunch of carver gear with the amazings, email and tell them you willd do $500.

    Was that the ad for the complete Carver system with the TFM-25 amp, etc that was listed for $2500 OBO? I didn't ever know if he relisted it separately or not.
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited January 2008
    Yeah, it was that ad. They never relisted separately or anything. I just emailed and said I would only be interested in the speakers, and only had between $400 - $500 for them. They said $500 would work if I promised to give them a good home.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited January 2008
    His BIN is a little on the high side but other than that...I don't see much of a downside.

    While I've not heard the Silvers...I can't imagine you being disappointed, either. I compare them to the AL-III which really didn't give ALL that much away to the bigger Amazings. The bass didn't dig as deep but it was no slouch either.

    I would insist on taking the grills off and inspecting the surrounds though.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2008
    Local pick up so it's probably ok. Most scammers wouldn't want you to know where they live I bet. Ask him if you can audition them. Good luck. I will be living vicariously...
    Sharp Elite 70
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    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    He is cool with me stopping by and testing them. How do I check the surrounds? What should I look for in the total package? There's the two speakers, the control unit . . . . what else?
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited January 2008
    Take off the grills and inspect the surrounds. They shouldn't be damaged, cracked or brittle...other than that, that's about it!

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited January 2008
    Is the seller's name Jim?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    CRS-3+3C_detail.jpg

    Crap . . . just got word the guy sold them. Guess someone beat me to it this morning. Oh well. I was thinking I might wait for the Plats as suggested previously.

    What do you guys think of the speaker above. I wonder how it would compare to the Amazings.

    http://www.sunfire.com/CRT.htm

    They are designed by Bob right? Isn't Sunfire his new company.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    The only Carver, or Sunfire speakers you should be interested in owning someday, are the Amazing.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    The only Carver, or Sunfire speakers you should be interested in owning someday, are the Amazing.

    Noted . . . I'm working on it right now. IF anyone knows anyone who has a pair in good shape who needs a good home, let me know.

    Mike
  • nm4710
    nm4710 Posts: 97
    edited January 2008
    Since there seem to be a lot of people with knowledge on the ALs let me ask a question that I've been trying to get answered for years...we have an old set of ALIII+ that sound fantastic. They're currently in a room where they are being used for Theater and music. Any suggestions for a center channel that would sound even remotely similar? I know the AL's aren't designed for HT however they do take up a lot of space and it would be hard to have both the AL's and another set of speakers for HT.

    Thanks
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    Martin Logan would probably anchor pretty well.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2008
    One of the people in Audio who's opinion I value most thinks the Amazings were one of the 5 finest speakers he ever heard, period. That was with a wide variety of equipment.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
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    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    Went back and checked my email again . . . the owner is Jim. The Amazing is still available. He had this to say:

    Hey Mike,
    My room is about 18x15 and only 8 foot high and they work fine. As long as you can get them at least two feet from the back wall and a couple feet in from the side walls you are golden. The rest is playing with toe in and tilt angle.
    Both ribbons and all woofers are in perfect working order. One ribbon was replaced by previous owner. They are both the newer style with the felt on the back. Should last a good long time.
    Let me know if you have any other questions.
    Jim
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2008
    you gotta jump on them faster i guess.. even if you don't buy them.. go check em out with in 30 minutes to an hour if possible. I've missed some deals because some schlock beat me there within just minutes. I even saw one guy leaving with MY vintage Pioneer as I was driving up. :mad:
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited January 2008
    PM sent SS.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited January 2008
    nm4710 wrote: »
    Since there seem to be a lot of people with knowledge on the ALs let me ask a question that I've been trying to get answered for years...we have an old set of ALIII+ that sound fantastic. They're currently in a room where they are being used for Theater and music. Any suggestions for a center channel that would sound even remotely similar? I know the AL's aren't designed for HT however they do take up a lot of space and it would be hard to have both the AL's and another set of speakers for HT.
    Some folks have also used a 48" or 60" ribbon, built a custom casing, set horizontally under the TV, installed a notch filter and used an external x-over. This would give a perfect timbre match.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited January 2008
    As much as I love real wood....these look awesome in black
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2008
    Sorry dorokusai, but I have heard good things about the new Sunfire ribbons. My friend told me that they are very clear and musical; he would buy them if he had the money. He said the only draw back is that they are smaller speakers, so the same draw backs that come from any smaller speakers, but no inherent flaws from them. Just what I have heard.
  • avguytx
    avguytx Posts: 1,628
    edited January 2008
    I still have some CRM-2's for sale. :D
    Richard? Who's your favorite Little Rascal? Alfalfa? Or is it........................Spanky?.................................Sinner.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    zingo wrote: »
    Sorry dorokusai, but I have heard good things about the new Sunfire ribbons. My friend told me that they are very clear and musical; he would buy them if he had the money. He said the only draw back is that they are smaller speakers, so the same draw backs that come from any smaller speakers, but no inherent flaws from them. Just what I have heard.

    I don't care for them at all and in usual Sunfire fashion, they're overpriced. Their firm market is electronics and I have no doubt it will stay that way.

    That's not a direct comment on avguytx, just my opinion.....so nobody gets their thong in a ruffle.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    Mark I'm ruffled. One more opinion like that and I'll report your ****.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    I know where you live.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,236
    edited January 2008
    Jim tells me that he sold the Amazing Silvers. Did you get 'em?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    Nope someone else nabbed them unfortunately. I'm still on the hunt.
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008