Carver or Adcom ?

[Lasareath]

If you could choose between only Carver & Adcom, which manufacturer would you choose?

Thanks,

Lasareath

[danz1906]

Adcom!

[heiney9]

Carver or Adcom what? What situation? Amps, pre's, cdp's?

Certain models are better than others in each line. Can you be more specific?

[leroyjr1]

Adcom GFP-750
Adcom GCD-750
Adcom GFP-5802

[Toolfan66]

Adcom GFP-750
Adcom GCD-750
Adcom GFP-5802

I am having sex with all three.:cool:

The only reason I voted Adcom is I have yet to have my hands on a Carver, and Stan at Adcom's CS is top notch...

[leroyjr1]

I am having sex with all three.:cool:

Well....... If u happen to get them pregnant I'll take one of each.:)

[Lasareath]

Carver or Adcom what? What situation? Amps, pre's, cdp's?

Certain models are better than others in each line. Can you be more specific?

Sorry, Amps.

[megasat16]

Amps for your 1.2TLs? Budget? I almost voted Carver but I didn't want to make the wrong vote for your needs.

[NJPOLKER]

Hell, I already forgot which one I voted for.

[Ron Temple]

I voted Carver, but I have only limited experience with the Adcom GFA 555. It was a fine amp just too forward for my taste. I preferred the TFM35 and Luxman M-117 I had at the time. I much prefer the TFM 45. That said, I'm sure there are some Adcom amps that I'd like better than the 555...too small a sample. I've got a hankering for a GFP 750.

[thsmith]

I voted Carver, but I have only limited experience with the Adcom GFA 555. It was a fine amp just too forward for my taste. I preferred the TFM35 and Luxman M-117 I had at the time. I much prefer the TFM 45. That said, I'm sure there are some Adcom amps that I'd like better than the 555...too small a sample. I've got a hankering for a GFP 750.

The Adcom GFP-750 is sweet ;)

[Lasareath]

I've got a hankering for a GFP 750.


The GFP-750 is a really nice Pre-Amp. There's a brand new one that has never been opened on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230378945405&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

I think I want to try a VTL Pre-Amp next.

[heiney9]

Sorry, Amps.

Ok then, my favorite Adcom amp is the 5802. You can run it with SDA's using either the AI-1 cable or tying the negative terminals together.

My 2nd favorite is the 585 or 565 mono's. The 5800 is very nice too..........not a huge fan of the dual tunnel fans, but it sounds excellent.

The other Adcom's are very good but the above 3 models are cream of the crop. I have yet to hear a Carver amp that I thoroughly like. Obvious choices are are Carver tube amps, but those are rare and costly.

The TFM series is simply mediocre to my ears and I hate the "gimmicky" sliding rail voltage design using a commutator. It reeks of being way more complicated than it need to be.

The "M" series.......if I never hear one of those again that would be fine.

Sorry, I know this is going to ruffle some Carver lovers feathers, but it my opinion and I have a right to express it. I'm not suggesting that Carver is junk......I just find it quite middle of the road the times I've heard/demo'd various pieces.

H9

[maandjojo]

I had been a big Adcom fan for years with the 555 mk II but the Carver Sunfire 4/5 is something to behold and has won me over.

Joe

[Ron Temple]

Ok then, my favorite Adcom amp is the 5802. You can run it with SDA's using either the AI-1 cable or tying the negative terminals together.

My 2nd favorite is the 585 or 565 mono's. The 5800 is very nice too..........not a huge fan of the dual tunnel fans, but it sounds excellent.

The other Adcom's are very good but the above 3 models are cream of the crop. I have yet to hear a Carver amp that I thoroughly like. Obvious choices are are Carver tube amps, but those are rare and costly.

The TFM series is simply mediocre to my ears and I hate the "gimmicky" sliding rail voltage design using a commutator. It reeks of being way more complicated than it need to be.

The "M" series.......if I never hear one of those again that would be fine.

Sorry, I know this is going to ruffle some Carver lovers feathers, but it my opinion and I have a right to express it. I'm not suggesting that Carver is junk......I just find it quite middle of the road the times I've heard/demo'd various pieces.

H9I always comes down to personal taste. Personally, I spent alot of time with the Carver TFM35 then the Luxman before I heard the Adcom. Both are far more laid back. I thought the 555 pushed the soundstage too far forward. It was very detailed, a little grainy and all the instruments sounded on the same plane. I liked the detail, but found the same detail was present in the other amps with more of a 3 dimensional image...highs were slightly rolled off. I found it more pleasing and so gave the amp back to fredv. Had the Adcom been my first amp, then my expectations and tastes may have found the Carver or Luxman wanting. I'm sure there are alot of better options out there, but we are talking about these 2 brands...and I couldn't care less which is preferred by who...it's all good.

[heiney9]

I always comes down to personal taste. Personally, I spent alot of time with the Carver TFM35 then the Luxman before I heard the Adcom. Both are far more laid back. I thought the 555 pushed the soundstage too far forward. It was very detailed, a little grainy and all the instruments sounded on the same plane. I liked the detail, but found the same detail was present in the other amps with more of a 3 dimensional image...highs were slightly rolled off. I found it more pleasing and so gave the amp back to fredv. Had the Adcom been my first amp, then my expectations and tastes may have found the Carver or Luxman wanting. I'm sure there are alot of better options out there, but we are talking about these 2 brands...and I couldn't care less which is preferred by who...it's all good.


I agree about personal taste...........and I had the opposite experience with Adcom. No harshness, not forward, no grain and an expansive 3D soundstage. Adcom's can be a little fussy depending on the pre-amp one uses.

But again to each their own and that's what makes this hobby great.

Ford/Chevy; Honda/BMW; Mercedes/Lexus; Honda/Nissan; Volkwagen/Honda, etc. They all have their following based on some personal preferences.

H9

[ben62670]

A cheap Adcom Pre with an Adcom amp sounds like crap. It certainly isn't the amps fauilt. The Carver amps that I have heard when they clip they just shut down, and come back with a tweeter frying pop. Adcom's and other amps that have real transformers, and caps handle this way better. I never audiable clipped any of my Adcom's.

[George Grand]

My experience with the original GFA-555 was grain and lots of it. It was a powerhouse but really didn't sound all that much better than a Dynaco ST-120. Putting a Carver amp (M4.0t) back in smoothed things out considerably. This was in your 1989-1991 time frame, when I could still hear.

[nooshinjohn]

Carver TFM-55 or a Sunfire Stereo Grand would be my call. I like the Adcom too, but I always liked the underdog.

[rroobbcc]

In the past I have owned a Carver M1.0t and two M1.5ts. I currently own two Adcom GFA-5802s, a GFA-555, a GFA-555II and two GFA-545IIs.

I owned the M1.0t back when I had my Monitor 10bs and SDA 1Cs. I added the M1.5ts after I bought my Infinity 9 Kappas. Of the two Carvers I preferred the sound of the M1.5t. Eventually I was forced to go with different amps as the Carvers didn't have the ability to drive the low impedances of the big Infinities. I replaced then Carvers with a single GFA-5802, and eventually added a second for bi-amping. The GFA-5802 easily bettered both of the Carvers IMO (as well as the other Adcoms). I was never able to directly compare the Carvers to the other Adcoms, but suspect I would prefer all of my Adcoms over the M1.0t. I could however live happily with an M1.5t as long as I had a speaker with a stable 8 ohm impedance to drive.

[George Grand]

I prefer every Carver amp I've ever owned over the M1.0t. I had one of those and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. The turn on/turn off thumps were unbearable with the M1.0t. Strangely enough, Mr. Carver once said it was his favorite amp (that he designed). Go figure.

M1.5t is just fine, as is M4.0t and TFM-42/45. Nothing wrong with M-500/500t or the A-500. Lots of okay Carver amps, but I've always steered clear of The Cube and the M1.0t.

[Krazyz1]

For the most part I would say CARVER. Afew models suck and sound crappy but overall CARVER. Especially the M-400. Beat the poo out of it for 20-25 years and it will still come up swinging. If the caps didn't eventually dry out they would run forever. You can still get a TOTAL rebuild @ Hi-Tech Audio for just under 300.00 . It is garanteed 1 year parts AND labor , and will kick butt ANOTHER 20-25 years. Plus can be mono blocked to 500wrms! So you buy a nice looking one off ebay.....250.00 avg. right now , add a rebuild. Where you gonna find a amp with that output for that cash???? CARVER hands down.

[Lasareath]

You can still get a TOTAL rebuild @ Hi-Tech Audio for just under 300.00 . It is garanteed 1 year parts AND labor , and will kick butt ANOTHER 20-25 years. Plus can be mono blocked to 500wrms! So you buy a nice looking one off ebay.....250.00 avg. right now , add a rebuild. Where you gonna find a amp with that output for that cash???? CARVER hands down.


If you wanna save some money and get them signed by Mr Carver himself then you can send them to:

Rita Helm and Bob Carver have opened a new shop for fixing and restoring all vintage Carver Corp, Phase Linear and Sunfire audio equipment.

They also restore ALL vintage tube amps as well. Rita's Vintage Audio Repair.

Each unit will be repaired, updated, gone through from top to bottom, and restored to the same performance and condition as it was the day it was built.

A flat fee of $170 dollars + shipping covers it all. Their minimum inspection fee is $35 dollars.

The address is:
Rita Helm, Old Sunfire building
1920 Bickford Ave
Snohomish WA 98290

Phone 425 783 0270. Ask for Harry Abbott.

[Krazyz1]

Why steer clear of the cube. It started the whole CARVER phenononom. It's DURABLE as hell!!!!

[ben62670]

What Las said;)

[Krazyz1]

I've INQUIRED WITH rita , AND READ OFF MY REBUILD INVOICE AND SHE DOESN'T REPLACE NEAR AS MUCH AS Rolland AT Hi-Tech Audio. Just by phone conversation alone was not IMPRESSED. Hi-Tech Audio has rebuilt 4 of my M-400's and no issues. You get what you pay for in life , and if I remember correctly her warranty is not as long. I've seen enough things signed by " Bob " , I could forge it and charge more. Without letter of authetisity doesn't meen squat!!!!

[Krazyz1]

If I rember Rita and my conversation correctly she stated Hi-Tech was replacing alot of unnessasary caps , but if I wanted them replaced she would for extra charge.If they are not showing signs of leaking wasting money. Maybe it's leaked all out and is now empty. Not a good thing. Google Hi-Tech Audio and see who has the better reputation. Must be a reason he changes out more parts....It's called LONGEVITY , and not send back in 2 years to have the caps replaced that should have been the 1st time thru.

[thsmith]

If I rember Rita and my conversation correctly she stated Hi-Tech was replacing alot of unnessasary caps , but if I wanted them replaced she would for extra charge.If they are not showing signs of leaking wasting money. Maybe it's leaked all out and is now empty. Not a good thing. Google Hi-Tech Audio and see who has the better reputation. Must be a reason he changes out more parts....It's called LONGEVITY , and not send back in 2 years to have the caps replaced that should have been the 1st time thru.

+1. Very pleased with the work Rolland did on my 55X and 45.

Pease of mind is worth the extra money. I did not see a reason for Bob to sign any of my gear.

[vc69]

The GFP-750 is a really nice Pre-Amp. There's a brand new one that has never been opened on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230378945405&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

I think I want to try a VTL Pre-Amp next.

I would say definitely. Of course I am a bit smitten with the one I am using right now. If my friend will sell it to me, and I think he is going to, I may never look further.

As far as the Carver vs. Adcom thing, I am really very surprised and pleased with my TFM-35x. It is giving all I ask of it with no complaints. I know too darn well that if I had some higher-end stuff to compare it with it would not hold up though. That said, for $300 I don't see how one could do better. Frankly, for most of us, this hobby is a series of economic compromises on a path toward audio nirvana. I certainly can't afford the stuff I would like to have. Having heard some great stuff over the years, I have learned that above a certain level, you reach a point of diminishing returns. Carver gets my vote for value at a given price point. I'm sure the top line of Adcom amps are pretty good, but I have never heard any of the middle stuff that I liked. I got the same impression everyone else here that has disliked them said. Too grainy. Not very detailed.

Meh... just an opinion though. And this is a very opinionated hobby.;)

[danz1906]

The GFP-750 is a really nice Pre-Amp. There's a brand new one that has never been opened on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230378945405&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

I think I want to try a VTL Pre-Amp next.

The 750 is a great pre-amp,but that $1200.00 price seems a lil high.

[Lasareath]

The 750 is a great pre-amp,but that $1200.00 price seems a lil high.

They were $1600 brand new, that one has never been opened. If I had the funds I would offer hom $800,

I bought my used one for $560 shipped. but it had no remote, the guy lost it. I am using one from another polkie right now who let me borrow it. A brand new remote from Adcom is $99

I've seen Mint ones sell for $750

[danz1906]

They were $1600 brand new, that one has never been opened. If I had the funds I would offer hom $800,

I bought my used one for $560 shipped. but it had no remote, the guy lost it. I am using one from another polkie right now who let me borrow it. A brand new remote from Adcom is $99

I've seen Mint ones sell for $750

Agreed, I think $800.-$900.00 would be a fair price for nib Adcom-750.

[heiney9]

The 750 is a great pre-amp,but that $1200.00 price seems a lil high.

It is an outstanding pre! But $1200, he's dreaming. I wasn't aware the 750 was still being produced all the way up to July, 2009.

Perhaps $1000 if it is in fact unused, unopened. When these were released they retailed for $1200 and towards the end of the production run they retailed for $1400.

H9

[GV#27]

I wasn't aware the 750 was still being produced all the way up to July, 2009.

Likewise I thought they were disco'd a number of years ago.:confused:

[Lasareath]

Likewise I thought they were disco'd a number of years ago.:confused:


When I called Adcom 3 months ago they told me they still had un-opened ones in stock. maybe this seller is an adcom employee.

[Roy Munson]

My experience with the original GFA-555 was grain and lots of it. It was a powerhouse but really didn't sound all that much better than a Dynaco ST-120. Putting a Carver amp (M4.0t) back in smoothed things out considerably. This was in your 1989-1991 time frame, when I could still hear.

I completely agree with this, older Adcoms are very grainy to my ears and Carvers are much smoother. Newer model Adcoms that feature MOSFET design imho are a lot better and more musical than older units like the 555. My favorite Carvers were the M500t and the M4.0t. ymmv Having said that, I now prefer Parasound Halo's!

[BB3]

Carver and as a matter of fact, I just acquired 2 more Carver Amps, the Silver 7T's this past Saturday.

[nooshinjohn]

Carver and as a matter of fact, I just acquired 2 more Carver Amps, the Silver 7T's this past Saturday.did you buy them off Ebay?

[BB3]

did you buy them off Ebay?

Yes Sir and I really had to "pay up" for them too nooshinjohn.

I hope that you were not one of the ones in contention ? If so, I'm sorry.-----Bill

[Bernal]

I voted Carver

[bsoko2]

I got 4 of the Carver M1.5t's handling my speakers. One each on my 2.3tl's, and one for my L&R surrounds (also 2.3's), and one sitting on the shelf, not doing anything. Outlaw M2200 mono's for my center, and one each for my Rear L&R surrounds. Plenty of power.

Bill

[lakesailor]

In all of the audio stuff I have owned over the years I have never felt anything was more over rated than Carver.

[TNRabbit]

In all of the audio stuff I have owned over the years I have never felt anything was more over rated than Carver.

You're out-voted.

[reeltrouble1]

Carver trumps Adcom.

RT1

[Lasareath]

You're out-voted.


Carver trumps Adcom.

RT1


I created this post to see which manufacturer is the most liked here on this forum.

It irks me when newbs post "What amps can i use on my 1.2's I just got" and another newb with 700 posts states that Adcom is the most liked Amp on this forum.

Maybe in 6 months the results will be different and if they are so be it.

Lasareath

[Ron Temple]

A fairer question is which amp that you can get into fairly cheaply will do the job with SDAs. These 2 would fit that description...at least the common ground models.

[skipf]

I love my Carvers and have never had a reason to look for any other amp. Now that said, there are other amps I would like to have such as Manley or Joule Electra, but I've never heard an Adcom I liked better than my Carver M-500t's or Silver 9t's.

[heiney9]

I created this post to see which manufacturer is the most liked here on this forum.

It irks me when newbs post "What amps can i use on my 1.2's I just got" and another newb with 700 posts states that Adcom is the most liked Amp on this forum.

Maybe in 6 months the results will be different and if they are so be it.

Lasareath

Real scientific poll Las :rolleyes:. Who cares which is the most popular? It's the most popular based on those that chose to participate.

In the end everyone needs to try all kinds of gear to find what they prefer. Adcom bashing is pretty much the norm these days. Funny how not a single professional review in the day even remotely parallels what most Adcom haters continue to say.

IMO, it's a matter of jumping on the bandwagon of negative attributes for most people.

To each their own but to create a thread simply to find which is more popular so the next time a n00b posts about amps you can say well Carver is more liked............is simply ridiculous, IMO.

H9

P.s. This post, poll, proves absolutely nothing other than we all have differing opinions about what we like.

P.s.s I still wouldn't own a Carver amp.

[concealer404]

The draw with Adcom seems to be that you get a LOT of underrated watts for your money. I don't personally think that they sound as good as a lot of other amps in the same price range.

That being said, it has been pointed out that my preamp is probably to blame. But then why does pretty much anything i throw on it sound better than any adcom amp i've tried?

I'm not adcom bashing. They got me into this game, and one day i do want to try some of the big boys, when i get speakers that need it.

I haven't tried anything Carver. Can't explain why. Never really had the desire to, but i guess i should.

[Lasareath]

Real scientific poll Las :rolleyes:. Who cares which is the most popular? It's the most popular based on those that chose to participate.

In the end everyone needs to try all kinds of gear to find what they prefer. Adcom bashing is pretty much the norm these days. Funny how not a single professional review in the day even remotely parallels what most Adcom haters continue to say.

IMO, it's a matter of jumping on the bandwagon of negative attributes for most people.

To each their own but to create a thread simply to find which is more popular so the next time a n00b posts about amps you can say well Carver is more liked............is simply ridiculous, IMO.

H9

P.s. This post, poll, proves absolutely nothing other than we all have differing opinions about what we like.

P.s.s I still wouldn't own a Carver amp.


It proves to me that even though this poll means nothing it still pisses you off! LOL!!!!

[engtaz]

I like both and use both.

[GV#27]

When I called Adcom 3 months ago they told me they still had un-opened ones in stock. maybe this seller is an adcom employee.Interesting.All indications are it was a sucessful product for them so one would think all production would have been sold. Maybe they did hold on to a few for warranty replacement/employee purchase etc.

[Eddie_The_Knife]

Have to vote Carver/Sunfire! I own too many not too! LOL!

[Polkersince85]

I voted Carver.

[Lasareath]

Have to vote Carver/Sunfire! I own too many not too! LOL!


Hi Eddie, Where in NJ are you from?


Sal

[thuffman03]

Both are good buy I would go with Carver.

Number one reason is that Bob Carver is a cool dude to hang out with. Would the CEO of Adcom hang out with you, put on a Pen's Malkin jersey and black out his front teeth and take a pic with you?

[Lasareath]

Both are good buy I would go with Carver.

Number one reason is that Bob Carver is a cool dude to hang out with. Would the CEO of Adcom hang out with you, put on a Pen's Malkin jersey and black out his front teeth and take a pic with you?


I don't think he would. I've never even seen a picture of the guy who started adcom. I guess he likes to spend his money in private and doesn't like the spotlight.

[ViperZ]

Very tough choice. I have both, but for 2-channel I'd lean towards Carver.

[heiney9]

Interesting.All indications are it was a sucessful product for them so one would think all production would have been sold. Maybe they did hold on to a few for warranty replacement/employee purchase etc.

I think most of it had to do with the shambles that Adcom was and continues to be in. They have been bought and sold a few times in the past 3-5 years and lost most of their dealers. No matter how successful a product is, if you don't have an outlet to sell them, then they sit in the warehouse.

Adcom isn't even the same company it was 5-7 years ago. It's a shame as at one time they were a leader in the industry for high quality, great sounding mid-fi gear. But they aren't alone, many companies who were formerly great audio companies have been "absorbed" into large conglomerates who's bottom line is satisfying stock holders.

It'll be interesting to see if the group that revived Acurus/Aragon will even be around in a few years. Grand idea, but it's going to be nothing but an uphill battle for them.

H9

P.s. Las I'm not pissed; I just feel your reason for taking the poll is ridiculous as are the supposed results. It's still just a matter of personal opinion and anyone who takes said opinions as fact is just plain stupid. Everyone needs to get their ears on as much different kinds of gear as possible to make an intelligent decision. :)

[skipf]

It's still just a matter of personal opinion and anyone who takes said opinions as fact is just plain stupid. Everyone needs to get their ears on as much different kinds of gear as possible to make an intelligent decision. :)

Truer words were never spoken. No two people hear sound in exactly the same way, and what sounds great to some sounds like *** to others. The only thing in audio that really matters is what sounds right to YOU.

[george daniel]

Hi Eddie, Where in NJ are you from?


Sal



Eddie the Knife-----I think that I know this guy

[BB3]

Both are good buy I would go with Carver.

Number one reason is that Bob Carver is a cool dude to hang out with. Would the CEO of Adcom hang out with you, put on a Pen's Malkin jersey and black out his front teeth and take a pic with you?

That is just too damn funny Tom.------Bill

[heiney9]

I don't think he would. I've never even seen a picture of the guy who started adcom. I guess he likes to spend his money in private and doesn't like the spotlight.

I see so now we are basing our buying on if the CEO will habg out with you ;):D.

All the original players from Adcom are long gone. The company (name really) has been sold atleast 2 times that I know of and probably more. It's a different time now. 10-15-20 years ago they (being company heads) would have been harder to reach for the grassroots audio meets. Times have changed in that area for the better and the fact that Bob is pretty much retired and enjoys the hobby as much as most of us.

[skipf]

Eddie the Knife-----I think that I know this guy

Bet you've even seen him lately George;)

[JohnLocke88]

Well....... If u happen to get them pregnant I'll take one of each.:)

Half the DNA is the father's you know... not sure you'd want the mutant offspring of man and technology.

[Lasareath]

Half the DNA is the father's you know... not sure you'd want the mutant offspring of man and technology.

Maybe he's a quarter silver 7

[Lasareath]

Carver is still the winner.

[vc69]

The competition is weak Sal.

[heiney9]

Carver is still the winner.

Sal, so childish..........nobody likes their baby called ugly. Thought you might be above letting Newrival's comments bother you.......guess not.

Enjoy what you have, have what you enjoy.

Merry Christmas

H9

[cnh]

I've heard enough Carvers at this point to say that I won't be trading in my Adcom for one. They're good enough. But a number of people I know who own them just keep complaining about how many times they've been 'in the shop'. On a pure reliability pole....Vintage Adcoms will run a LONG time with no failures.

And as for grainy...like Brock. I just 'don't' hear that? Is it synergy? Is it the pre? The Speakers. Don't know. Right now, I'm listening to some LSI bookshelves off an AVR pre/pro and, yes, the grainy 555 (original). And all I hear is good solid clean music...detailed highs, tight punchy bass--no fatigue. The Polks seem to like it? Not saying the Carver wouldn't sound fine as well--they're no slouch. But just that I don't see Carver as something more! But as Brock said above...there are Carver tube products that I have not heard. And I'm sure those are something else...entirely.

To each his own...

And to all....a goodnight!

Merry X-mas. Enjoy your equipment--spend some quality time with it.

cnh

[snow]

Sal Carver rocks you know it I know it. Merry Christmas to and yours :smile:


REGARDS SNOW

[fastz28]

carver i have three 1,5ts rebuild by roland

[ben62670]

Why do half the people that have Carver's mention that they were repaired rebuilt by...
You don't hear that about Adcom's:smile:

[Lasareath]

Sal, so childish..........nobody likes their baby called ugly. Thought you might be above letting Newrival's comments bother you.......guess not.

Enjoy what you have, have what you enjoy.

Merry Christmas

H9

I do childish very well. Thanks




Why do half the people that have Carver's mention that they were repaired rebuilt by...
You don't hear that about Adcom's:smile:

LMAO Ben, There are so many posts on here about how you are fixing adcoms for people. I never heard you once say that you were fixing a carver!

[ben62670]

I wouldn't bother with a Carver:biggrin: Also on the Adcom's it is only a few leaky capacitors by Elna, and that was only on a few models:wink:
Try again
Merry Christmas
Ben

[Tour2ma]

Rita Helm and Bob Carver have opened a new shop for fixing and restoring all vintage Carver Corp, Phase Linear and Sunfire audio equipment.

A flat fee of $170 dollars + shipping covers it all. Their minimum inspection fee is $35 dollars.

The address is:
Rita Helm, Old Sunfire building
1920 Bickford Ave
Snohomish WA 98290

Phone 425 783 0270. Ask for Harry Abbott.Glad you bumped this old thread, Sal. Best thing I've read since I dropped back into this zoo. Flat fee is not much more than I paid them ten or so years ago.

Oh, and I voted Carver... never been much of an Adcom fan. The M4.0t tops my list.

[gdb]

Glad you bumped this old thread, Sal. Best thing I've read since I dropped back into this zoo. Flat fee is not much more than I paid them ten or so years ago Oh, and I voted Carver... never been much of an Adcom fan. The M4.0t tops my list.

That fee has risen, a lot !:eek:

[leroyjr1]

Both suck, step your game up Sal.:biggrin:

[Lasareath]

Both suck, step your game up Sal.:biggrin:

Looking at some ayon next

[gdb]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=carver+stereophile+challenge&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Read all about it.....Mr. Bob Carver duplicated the sound of a couple of esoteric, high snot level amps and stereophile magazine had poopie ALL OVER their face.:biggrin: Conrad who ???:tongue:

[leroyjr1]

Looking at some ayon next

$$$$$

[Pycroft]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=carver+stereophile+challenge&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Read all about it.....Mr. Bob Carver duplicated the sound of a couple of esoteric, high snot level amps and stereophile magazine had poopie ALL OVER their face.:biggrin: Conrad who ???:tongue:

I head this story from George Grand a few months ago, and it was nice to read it from the horse's mouth. Does anyone know what the 'reference' amp and 'reference' speakers were that they used?

James

[Tour2ma]

I believe the amp was rumored to be a Mark Levinson.

No idea on the speaker, but that's less material since it was a null test.

[Tour2ma]

Number one reason is that Bob Carver is a cool dude to hang out with. Would the CEO of Adcom hang out with you, put on a Pen's Malkin jersey and black out his front teeth and take a pic with you?Had I seen the pic in this post prior to voting, I'd have voted Adcom...

Talk about a GAG line...

[heiney9]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=carver+stereophile+challenge&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

Read all about it.....Mr. Bob Carver duplicated the sound of a couple of esoteric, high snot level amps and stereophile magazine had poopie ALL OVER their face.:biggrin: Conrad who ???:tongue:

All hype and very little substance. You can find people who attended this publicity stunt on both sides of the aisle. Some thought it worked OK, others thought it was sort of wishful thinking.

Duplicated isn't the word I would use based on the accounts I've read over the years.

H9

[gdb]

Hey, it's on the internet, it must be so.:biggrin: Yeah there's a lot of sour grapes about Bob's challenge. Closing your eyes and covering your ears do not change the recorded facts of the matter. Mark, Conrad...who ??:eek::biggrin::tongue:

[heiney9]

So you were there then? :rolleyes:. No sour grapes. Just calling it like it was.........a publicity stunt that had a so/so outcome. He and Stereophile got a lot of press, that was the idea. Only a smarmy, slightly egotistical person would have even dreamt it up. It was the amplifer wars and SS was just coming into it's own, so Bob had to perform a circus act to get noticed.

Of course this is my take on it based on what I've read over the years.

H9

[gdb]

Yeah, that must be it ! :smile:

[FTGV]

IIRC about the same time as young Bob was waving his magic wand Hafler intrduced their XL series of which I believe they made the bold claim of 'perfect' .They even devised a "special" test to prove it.

[heiney9]

Here's another take on it to be fair.

Back in the 80s, Bob Carver issued an amplifier challenge to Stereophile Magazine. The gist of it was that Bob claimed that he could transform the sound of one his solid-state amps (I can't recall the exact model) to mimic that of an expensive tube amp of the Magazine's own choosing. So here we were huddled in JGH's listening room in Santa Fe, with Bob on his hands and knees tinkering with his circuitry so as to match the sonics of a very expensive Conrad-Johnson power amp. I've got to hand it to Carver - that's some bravado and one hell of a publicity stunt. Nice try, Bob, but no cigar. At the time, Larry Archibald and JGH seemed to think that Carver had in fact succeeded. But to my ears, Carver had merely managed to reduce the damping factor of his amp; in essence making it sound as loose and uncontrolled in the bass range as the Conrad-Johnson. There was still a large residual difference in the midrange. - Dick Ohlsher

It's no different than the muscle car wars in the 60's. All claimed to have this and that and the best, blah, blah, blah.

Hell, I didn't even bring this subject up, just adding perspective from the other POV. Some thought he was successful, others didn't (people who were actually there) and some fall in the middle between being very successful and mildly successful.

Nothing more, nothing less. If you like your Carver gear great, enjoy it!

H9

[gdb]

IIRC about the same time as young Bob was waving his magic wand Hafler intrduced their XL series of which I believe they made the bold claim of 'perfect' .

Bob only claimed...."Amazing" !!:eek::biggrin: