Carver M1.5t or TFM-25

Fongolio

I can get either of these Carver amps (Carver M1.5t or TFM-25) for about the same price (around $350.00 cdn). I need opinions on which you think is the better overall. Bang for buck, reliablility, sound quality, etc. Any input is gratefully accepted. Thanks

Kelvin

TNRabbit

Depends a lot on condition & if it's been reconditioned internally. The M1.5t is a bad@$$ powerhouse that puts out a conservative 350 wpc, but some like the sound of the TFM amps better. Do you have an option to audition them first?

engtaz

Value wise M1.5T worth more. TNRabbit statements are right to the point.

engtaz

Fongolio

I can't audition either. Turns out the M1.5t will be $500.00cdn with shipping etc. I can get the TFM-25 from a very reputable seller on Canuckaudiomart for $300.00 total. He claims his tech has gone over it totally and it is 100%. I've bought other stuff from him before and been very pleased. My bedroom rig has a Carver C-1 pre that I bought from him for $160.00. Great inexpensive pre.

treitz3

Between the two? Hmmm, I'll put it to you this way. Even with me knowing the cost of each one that's presented to you? I'd hold off for a more reasonably priced M1.5t.

Why? Available power reserve and the end result as to what hits your ears. The M1.5t also has considerably more bass when you want to get down and rock. Both of them have a good quality sound and both of them are emulated to sound like a tube amp, I just tend to prefer the M1.5t over the TFM-25.

Good luck with whatever your choice may be.

Fongolio

By far the majority of my listening will be at low to medium volume. I live in a condo and would very rarely be able to really let it rip at high volume. Does this make much difference or would I hear better bass extension on a M1.5t at any volume?

treitz3

Fongolio wrote: »

By far the majority of my listening will be at low to medium volume. I live in a condo and would very rarely be able to really let it rip at high volume. Does this make much difference or would I hear better bass extension on a M1.5t at any volume?

Yes, you will hear a more definitive bass extension at all but the absolute lowest of levels. I wouldn't be worried too much about disturbing the neighbors though. There is a big difference between "boom-boom" bass and clean bass.

Fongolio

I swear my one neighbor has a cup to the wall and when I **** he complains to the landlord about it.

Fongolio

For budget reasons I've gone with the TFM-25 but the same guy tells me has has an M1.5t that he may be able to sell me down the road for $400.00 cdn no shipping necessary. Is this a fair price? That translates to about $324.00 us dollars about now. He wants to have it totally checked out by his tech before he commits to selling it. The TFM-25 looks pristine and I will be testing it tonight. $300 cdn for this unit which is about $243.00 usd

Lowell_M

I say either go with the M1.5t or find an ADCOM GFA-555. (I'm somewhat biased) But, the M1.5t is definately ahead of the TFM

gdb

Fongolio, if the tech hasn't ever worked on the M1.5t type of Carver, please tell him to do some homework & research before messing around with it. There are countless stories over at the Carver site about well meaning but uninformed repair guys destroying this amp just by doing one "otherwise normal" test on them !:eek: I just learned that most of the TFM series aren't true Carver magnetic field amps, at least that's what the techs have said over on the Carver site,so maybe they're not as bad for a non-Carver tech to work on. Good luck, Geoff

Fongolio

Thanks for the heads up Geoff. His guy does all his stuff and this seller is a serious Carver fanatic so I'm guessing he knows his stuff but I'll be sure to ask him about it. I know Carver's are like no other amps. It's what made them so contraversial. I love their sound. Others hate it. To each his own.

gdb

I've got a TFM-35 that I like a lot, and hope to get another when I can afford it !:)Geoff

TroyD

Go with the TFM....

BDT

engtaz

The price you quoted for the M1.5t is high in my opinion.

engtaz

Fongolio

The TFM-25 sounds great. I played Jennifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat followed by Robert Plant's Now and Zen for testing. Excellent detail. Clean clear high ends even on the outer and inner tracks. Very punchy mids and very clean bottom end. It doesn't seem to have a lot of really low bass extension but it may be that it's much cleaner down there than I'm used to. What really impressed me was dynamics. The Jennifer Warnes LP is great for testing female voice but the Plant LP is great for a lot of quick percussion. I've never heard this LP so detailed and precise. Equally impressive is how my mid-range Polk RTiA7's worked with the faster transitions. My only complaint is the soundstage seems just slightly narower with this amp. But now I'm nit-picking. Overall very very pleased with this new piece. Thanks to everyone for your input.

gdb

Those dancing meters are cool aren't they? None of that on a M1.5t.

chargerman426

Umm the L.E.Ds move on the M1.5t and a lot if you really want you ears to bleed. Trust me I have 2.

gdb

Yeah, I know about the LEDs, no comparison to the old school look of the TFM's meters though. IMHO:)Geoff