Bob Carver Corp Crimson 275 stereo tube power amplifier.
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At least Bob responded, if indeed it was Bob, and offered up refunds for anyone feeling like they got shorted. What else can he do really.
Future buyers of his products are going to wonder now, with this creative marketing scheme, and past products still gracing peoples homes will start getting looked at cross eyed. Needless to say, this debacle has put a huge dent in his reputation.
The good news is....lots of used 275's gonna be on the used markets alot cheaper. Can't say I'd kick one to the curb for not having a safety ground connected.
My understanding of the situation is that Bob Carver has no connection with the company that is selling this amp with his name on it beyond design and the amp carrying his name. If that is the case I do not understand how/why he would be offering refunds? Just doesn't make sense. The only way that statement makes sense to me is someone from that company is using his name. I am not a lawyer but i bet they feel entitled to do that based on whatever contract they have with Bob.
I doubt Bob is planning to put forth any more products. I can't imagine he would have allowed this debacle if he thought he would be putting anything else into the marketplace.SDA SRS 2.3tl, SDA 1C, SDA 2B (TL mod), Reserve 200 -
I've never seen or heard of Bob Carver post on an audio forum. Not even the two, now only one, forums dedicated to Carver products.
In addition, it would be impossible for him to offer a refund or even a "safety" repair due to the fact he sold the business. HELLO!!! -
I've never seen or heard of Bob Carver post on an audio forum. Not even the two, now only one, forums dedicated to Carver products.
In addition, it would be impossible for him to offer a refund or even a "safety" repair due to the fact he sold the business. HELLO!!!
Yep, I don't understand why some are discussion this as if "his" response makes some sort of sense?SDA SRS 2.3tl, SDA 1C, SDA 2B (TL mod), Reserve 200 -
Do you think Matthew Polk knows about, gives a rats a$$ about, or would ever post on this forum about the train wreck soundbars with his name on them? FK no! Wake up people! Frank made that post!Gustard X26 Pro DAC
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There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus -
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ASR started to use a GIF in response to... questionable claims.
I rather like this one, which I have dubbed the all righty, then glance.
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Is there even ONE THING on that banner that is true?!?
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"Internal temperature is close to the inside of your mouth for extreme longevity"
What does that even mean? I know hindsight is 20/20, but how could any of that have sounded legit?SDA SRS 2.3tl, SDA 1C, SDA 2B (TL mod), Reserve 200 -
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No, not really.
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Not me either.
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"Internal temperature is close to the inside of your mouth for extreme longevity"
What does that even mean? I know hindsight is 20/20, but how could any of that have sounded legit?
It means your GF can practice on the tubes. -
Does anyone have any ears on experience with the amp?Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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Three 20 amp circuits. -
Bud you should order one and hook it up to your Magicos. I double dog dare you!
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I’m not in the market for anything new, but am always interested in learning something new. For this gear I read a lot of negativity, but never from an owner.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
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Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
We had a forum member here buy one.
I think he did mention there were no instructions about where to place the different small tubes or anything else about it. He said he contacted them and then after a quick period of time, returned it.
He was decent enough to keep his reason/s for returning it secret.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain.
“If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright -
There were a flurry of purchases reported all over cyberspace (well, you know -- the usual places) back when they came out... there's been very, very little follow-up, though, from the early adopters "in print".
Some folks did rally to the defense of these amps when the "15 watt" story was emerging -- and I really don't doubt that they sound fine. The issues that ahem some of us are flogging have everything to do with the marketing of the amp and its price/performance ratio (i.e., value), and not so much to do with "does it sound good?"
I would never say that question's irrelevant (!) but I will say emphatically that, dollar for dollar, there's not much question that one can do better, even buying new. Even in 2022.
And I do love Schadenfreude.
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From the owners manual:
"The rear panel vacuum tube cathode fuse (B+) is a 1.0 ampere and should be replaced with the same type and rating. If the fuse blows during bench testing, it may be temporarily replaced witha 1.25 or 1.5 ampere fuse. Do not, under any circumstances, use a "slow-blow" fuse here! Normally, a 1.0 ampere fuse will be perfect for music because the peak-to-average power ratio of speech and music is about 10:1. If you find that the 1.0 amp fuse blows with music, you may replace it with a 1.25 ampere fuse, or even a 1.5 ampere one." -
That clears things up, just don't tell my wife....
SDA SRS 2.3tl, SDA 1C, SDA 2B (TL mod), Reserve 200 -
106 pages, 2,100 comments.
The train kept a rollin' all night long
The train kept a rollin' all night long -
The lies keep a rollin' too.
But for the past 6 years, why would it be any other way. Nothin' to see here.Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain.
“If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright -
I'm just saying the Carver ads haven't changed yet. If they're even still out there. I guess they could be called misinformation or lack of candor too.
I'm not insinuating anybody here on the forum has told a lie at all. I just want to be very clear about that.Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain.
“If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright -
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Although it's rated at 75 W per channel, they all measure about 90 but produce between 130 and 140 watts on music and voice, probably, I assume, at a higher distortion of maybe 1 1/2 to 2%. Normally, it's well under 1% with a lovely profile.
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More worthless babble from a master babbler.
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Does anyone have any ears on experience with the amp?
I remember, in my youth, when my buying decisions were based on stats and specs. It’s sad when there are entire forums dedicated to stats and specs, and no mention of actual listening. Mind you I’m not defending the 275 (I don’t even care for tube amps) - just echoing the sentiment that no one is talking about how the amp actually SOUNDS…
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
I think there's been a countermelody on how the amp sounds running through all threads, including ASR's. I am sure it sounds good.
There don't seem to be that many owners piping up, though.
That said -- and I went through the 1970's spec wars, too, boy howdy*.
My daily driver amplifier is a single-ended 2A3 driven by 6SL7. Right out of the RCA receiving tube manual, via talented audiophile (and musician) Joseph Esmilla. The amp's good for about 3.5 watts per channel at 10% THD, and it's safe to assume it's rolled off at both ends of the audible spectrum. It sounds sublime.
Here's the point: NOBODY has ever tried to sell a SE 2A3 amp claiming, e.g., that some innovative design breakthroughs lead to, say, 20 watts per channel at less than 0.5% THD. And charging substantially more than "the sum of the parts" is worth, based on spurious claims of quantitative performance. If "Carver" (i.e., the company that's selling the 275s) said it's a sublime sounding, handmade, vacuum tube amp and left it at that: no harm, no foul. Heck, if they said it sounds like a 75 watt amp, and ascribed that to Carver magic... that's be OK, too. But the claims that are actually made for it are unverifiable. And that's a dangerous precedent for the industry, and one that's been set before -- ultimately resulting, in (US) federal regulations on power claims for home stereo equipment.
THAT's the source of the aggravation with the Carver amp. No more, no less**.
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* Cf. the, to me, ironic ad copy from Onkyo, ca. 1977:
"You can hear the specifications"
** Well, OK: maybe that and the lack of safety grounding. My 2A3 amp is properly grounded, BTW and FWIW.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »…THAT's the source of the aggravation with the Carver amp. No more, no less**….
I agree that’s how it started, but 106 pages later I think there’s more ax-grinding going on, than just the published specs.
My point was that yes, the erroneous and deceptive marketing claims are an unfortunate choice - however, those claims have little to do with the physical piece of gear in question and it’s actual sound reproduction (lest we forget that’s what it’s all about).
Oddly, my “awakening” to the less-than relevant nature of specs came in car audio, when I swapped a “200 watt” Jensen amplifier ($150) with the 45 watt Rockford Fosgate Punch 45 ($300). The difference was profound both in sound quality and power. It took quite a bit of convincing from a buddy of mine to shell out the $300 (not a small sum in the late ‘80s) for a measly 45 watt amp. And I’m sure Rockford would have sold many more of these amps (initially at least) if they had marketed them as “200 watt” - but honesty prevailed, and the early Punch amps are now legendary.“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
I think Franks previous job might have been writing receiver specs for the major consumer brands.HT SYSTEM-
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