Replacement for my Carver C-1 pre amp

Big Dan R
Big Dan R Posts: 131
edited January 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Ive never been really happy with my Carver C-1 pre amp. Ive always thought it created a hollow, bland sound and years ago somone on this site said it sounds clinical. I have stock Polk SDA SRS 1.2TL's and a Carver M1.5T amp and have used various cd players along the way. Now im fairly technical but not of the caliber like many of you out there. So any suggestions. Unfortunatly I have to watch the $. Thanks.
Post edited by Big Dan R on
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Comments

  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2010
    Have you checked out the capacitors in your SDA's. They usually start to leak after 15 years or so.
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  • Big Dan R
    Big Dan R Posts: 131
    edited January 2010
    No, but thanks for the suggestion. How can I tell they are leaking? What I noticed quickly about the C-1 which I bought before the Polks arrived, I heard that same type of sound when I hooked the C-1 and M1.5T to a pair of Altec Boleros which I had listened to for years with my Pioneer SX 727.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited January 2010
    That hollow sound from both pair of speakers might be the absence of noise.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited January 2010
    I've been using a C-1 for about two years now with my Carver TFM-25 and SDA 1-C's and it sounds amazing. Might be time for a referb on that unit. Just as the caps on the SDA's can go weak over time so can the caps in the C-1.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited January 2010
    Fongolio wrote: »
    I've been using a C-1 for about two years now with my Carver TFM-25 and SDA 1-C's and it sounds amazing. Might be time for a referb on that unit. Just as the caps on the SDA's can go weak over time so can the caps in the C-1.

    I have to agree. That pre is getting pretty old. A service call to Rita or Roland IMO will do it justice. I had the chance to talk with Bob Carver last year about the pre amps he made and he really likes the sound of the C-1.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2010
    If you don't mind spendling a little bit of money, it's probably better to have the x-overs and Carver refurbished. Look around for places that specialize in audio and vintage stuff. Replacing caps should not cost a lot. Good places are very easy on labour charges. Call around and ask for estimates. But you should make sure they know what they're doing.
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited January 2010
    Rita's prices have gone up to $350 now....
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited January 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    Rita's prices have gone up to $350 now....

    From $170 to $350? More than double!!!??? I'm kind of glad I have my own Carver tech here in British Columbia.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2010
    Ouch that's quite expensive. I wonder if they increased the amount of restoration with the higher price?
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited January 2010
    $170 was a STEAL; $350 is more in line with the rest of the industry.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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