Amplifier Question

Vette C6.r
Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
edited June 2009 in Electronics
Hey Guys,

I am currently borrowing a Phase Linear Amp ( Model 400 - Solid State) from my brother.

This is the first amp. that I have used with my VSX 92 THX Pioneer Elite as a pre-amp.

I am powering my new set of Monitor 10b's and Monitor 7a's.

My question is, has anyone used this amp and how does it compare to the newer amps. i.e. Carver TFM series. I realize that Carver built the Linear's. Just wondering how they compare with other amps.

Thanks

Tony
Post edited by Vette C6.r on
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Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2009
    You should wait for the Carver boys on this one. But as I recall that was a VERY early Carter....sometime in the 70s after he'd designed a better amp first...don't remember that number? The 400s received 'mixed' reviews...and a lot of complaints. But some liked them? In any case, if that amp hasn't been looked at it no doubt needs a major overhaul, new caps, etc. Over 30 years old!

    Ok guys take it away....!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,872
    edited June 2009
    The Phase Linear is a powerful brute but a little long in the tooth.Amplifer design has come a long way,you can expect a well designed more modern amp to sound a lot more refined.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited June 2009
    +1. The PL amps were outstanding in their day and offered power few amps of the time could match, but almost all of the later Carver models will outperform it.
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited June 2009
    Thanks for the info guys. I pulled out the whole system and hooked the Phase's up to the 15's. You guys are correct. Big differrence.

    Just need to come up with some scratch to get a TFM.

    Tony
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2009
    I currently feel the same way about "classic" Carver amps that a lot of us have. I think they are great power houses with pretty good SQ, but not a world class amp. Designs have come a ways even since they were created.
    Jake
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited June 2009
    I have heard both PL and Carver TFM and I like the TFM's better. All the Carver TFM's are ment to sound like a tube amp. Carver designed them to sound like his $22,000 Silver 9 tube amps.

    If you really want to go crazy IMO two of the best amps he ever made was the Sunfire 300x2 and Sunfire 600x2.
    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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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,998
    edited June 2009
    +1 on the sunfire 300x2... you can find them around 700/800 bucks and you can choose a line source/current source output to the speakers. What Bob recommends is to run the line source to the low end and the current source output to the highs. They are a fantastic bargain IMHO...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

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