Zero
08-13-2002, 10:34 PM
GETTING STARTED
Not long after the night replaced the scortching heat of day, my shift ended as I slowley but surely made my way back to the comforts of home. Expecting usual routine, I greeting my parents after walking through the door and then trudged casually up to my room.
Much to my (pleasent) suprise I found the Carver CT-3 pre-amp securily cealed in a box that was shipped from Toronto, Canada. I carefully opened the package (generally I rip them open, but I decided to preserve the box in-case the pre-amp did not perform). I got everything plugged in, and ready to go. The pre-amp is not as big or heavy as I thought it would have been. In fact, the circuitry inside seemed rather basic.
IMPRESSIONS
My first impressions were of complete disguest. I had the volume to its lowest par and could hear this incredibly intruding "hiss" noise emitting from both of my Polks. I starting to play the CD that was in my unit before I plugged in the Carver, the cd was Linkin Park Re-Animation.
A track which is normally meant to slam you in the face with music instead sounded much more controlled and layed back. Not to mention of course, I had to turn the knob quite a bit to get satisfactory sound. And where the hell was that remote? I was not too impressed.
TESTS
Generally recordings by artists such as Linkin Park should slam you in the face with vocals and a mixture of various sounds. The music is based around that concept, sheer volume vice warm quality sound. The Carver could bring to life these tracks and give them amazing quality, but the chest pounding lows and ear-piercing highs were not nearly as present. This added a new listening experience.
Sonic Holography.... what a difference that makes. Positioning your speakers and listening area is key with this added feature! Once you get in that sweet-spot, sound is hitting you from every which of direction. Its almost as if you added 2 more speakers to your system. Nothing seems over-bearing or not strong enough.
Simply put, the Carver CT-3 excells with recordings to where you should not only be able to pick out every little precise sound, but also determine the location of the instruments or vocals on-stage. Never before has the actual presence of Josh Groban and Charollete Church been so apparent and physical, in my listening area.
COMPARISONS:
AMC1100- what it is- The AMC1100 is an extremely powerful and accurate pre-amp for its price-range. It offers two Pre-Outs, multiple channels and conveinent knobs. Unfortunately it is without remote. In comparison with the Carver CT-3, its quieter and is argueably quicker to reproduce the signal. If you like bass, then the AMC1100 will let you have it. If you like your highs, the AMC1100 will give you that too. I would have to say that the unit for its cost is simply amazing.
You bearly have to turn the volume knob before your being saturated with all the sound you could ever want. I never have taken it above 35 percent, and dont think I would ever need to. In sheer volume, it surpasses the Carver by a land-slide.
If you are really into modern rock, techno, rap, soul, etc... then this is most likely the best cost-effective pre-amp for you. Warning however, it does not come with a remote.
However, it fails to reach that sheer level of authenticity that the Carver CT-3 provides. The soundstage opens right up with Sonic Holography. When you play a good recording, it sounds as if that artist is on stage and your just a few seats back listening.
CONCLUSIONS
Simply put, after some getting used to (which didnt take long), I prefer the Carver for its reproduction of sound. Everything sounds controlled now. My parents were simply in awe. For once, I dont hear any complaints after a new purchase.
Both Pre-amps are great for their price (or for the Carver, if you can get it for around 200 bucks). Essentially, they appeal towards different crowds, but both do more then an admirable job and will leave a smile on the owners face.
The only downside to them both is, no remote. Oh well, perhaps this lazy American needs a reason to get off the ass every now and then. ;)
My apologies for being unable to provide you all with technical data, I just call it by ear so far.
Not long after the night replaced the scortching heat of day, my shift ended as I slowley but surely made my way back to the comforts of home. Expecting usual routine, I greeting my parents after walking through the door and then trudged casually up to my room.
Much to my (pleasent) suprise I found the Carver CT-3 pre-amp securily cealed in a box that was shipped from Toronto, Canada. I carefully opened the package (generally I rip them open, but I decided to preserve the box in-case the pre-amp did not perform). I got everything plugged in, and ready to go. The pre-amp is not as big or heavy as I thought it would have been. In fact, the circuitry inside seemed rather basic.
IMPRESSIONS
My first impressions were of complete disguest. I had the volume to its lowest par and could hear this incredibly intruding "hiss" noise emitting from both of my Polks. I starting to play the CD that was in my unit before I plugged in the Carver, the cd was Linkin Park Re-Animation.
A track which is normally meant to slam you in the face with music instead sounded much more controlled and layed back. Not to mention of course, I had to turn the knob quite a bit to get satisfactory sound. And where the hell was that remote? I was not too impressed.
TESTS
Generally recordings by artists such as Linkin Park should slam you in the face with vocals and a mixture of various sounds. The music is based around that concept, sheer volume vice warm quality sound. The Carver could bring to life these tracks and give them amazing quality, but the chest pounding lows and ear-piercing highs were not nearly as present. This added a new listening experience.
Sonic Holography.... what a difference that makes. Positioning your speakers and listening area is key with this added feature! Once you get in that sweet-spot, sound is hitting you from every which of direction. Its almost as if you added 2 more speakers to your system. Nothing seems over-bearing or not strong enough.
Simply put, the Carver CT-3 excells with recordings to where you should not only be able to pick out every little precise sound, but also determine the location of the instruments or vocals on-stage. Never before has the actual presence of Josh Groban and Charollete Church been so apparent and physical, in my listening area.
COMPARISONS:
AMC1100- what it is- The AMC1100 is an extremely powerful and accurate pre-amp for its price-range. It offers two Pre-Outs, multiple channels and conveinent knobs. Unfortunately it is without remote. In comparison with the Carver CT-3, its quieter and is argueably quicker to reproduce the signal. If you like bass, then the AMC1100 will let you have it. If you like your highs, the AMC1100 will give you that too. I would have to say that the unit for its cost is simply amazing.
You bearly have to turn the volume knob before your being saturated with all the sound you could ever want. I never have taken it above 35 percent, and dont think I would ever need to. In sheer volume, it surpasses the Carver by a land-slide.
If you are really into modern rock, techno, rap, soul, etc... then this is most likely the best cost-effective pre-amp for you. Warning however, it does not come with a remote.
However, it fails to reach that sheer level of authenticity that the Carver CT-3 provides. The soundstage opens right up with Sonic Holography. When you play a good recording, it sounds as if that artist is on stage and your just a few seats back listening.
CONCLUSIONS
Simply put, after some getting used to (which didnt take long), I prefer the Carver for its reproduction of sound. Everything sounds controlled now. My parents were simply in awe. For once, I dont hear any complaints after a new purchase.
Both Pre-amps are great for their price (or for the Carver, if you can get it for around 200 bucks). Essentially, they appeal towards different crowds, but both do more then an admirable job and will leave a smile on the owners face.
The only downside to them both is, no remote. Oh well, perhaps this lazy American needs a reason to get off the ass every now and then. ;)
My apologies for being unable to provide you all with technical data, I just call it by ear so far.