Carver amps???

[amulford]

Does any one have any experience with Carver amps?

I just recently got a set of SDA 2.3's and i have them set up in my living room for 2 channel listening. I am driving them with my receiver, using a second zone feature. The thing is the receiver is 7.1, but if I use the internal on it i lose the use of two channels( which makes it 5.1)

I've been looking at some Carver amps on ebay. They sound pretty nice but I'd really like to get some first hand input.

[RuSsMaN]

Carver and SDA (or ANY vintage Polk for that matter) are like, um, peas and carrots, mac and cheese, pizza and beer.

Just do it.

There were one or two Carver amps that weren't common ground, I'll go out on a limb, the 1.5 and.......anyone? Bueller?

Cheers,
Rooster

[Zero]

Never had experience with carver on SDA. I'd imagine it would sound pretty good.

I did own a Carver amplifier once. Sounded pretty good. I dont have much good to say about my pre-amp experience, but the amp in and of itself was excellent. Highly recommended.

Regards,

Sean

[TroyD]

What Russ said....

BDT

I'm not sure, other than the m1.5t, what other Carver amps aren't common ground..

BDT

[Ceruleance]

can't vouch for carver amps as opposed to other manufacturer's amps, but compared to the amps in moderately expensive receivers, they are awesome. I own 4 of them.

[stevew14]

I also have a couple (TFM 35X). I think they are fantastic. Sunfire could advise as to common ground or not. I don't think you'd be dissapointed.

[SDA SRS 1.2]

Carvers and SDA's work very well together! :) SDA's love power! You might want to look at past posts about Carvers and SDA's -lots of info there. Good luck!

[jmasterj]

Hey there Amulford,

Welcome to the forum, It's been a while since I responded to a post. But I've been reading them.

In answer to the Carver/ Polk SDA question I use to own a Carver M1.5t and a pair of SDA 2's It was the best 2 channel system I ever owned. Pure magic. I now own a TFM 35x with some RT 1000i's connected. Very good, but those SDA's just added another notch. Go for it That M1.5t was 350 watts peaked at 600 watts with dynamic headroom to 750 watts It drove those SDA 2's to concert hall levels with no problems.

Good Luck! Let Us Know What You Think.

[I-SIG]

I've got some 1C Studio's being driven by a M1.0-t right now. Nice combo at 200W/ch with plenty of reserve. I used to have a M4.0-t, but it blowed up (to use some NASCAR slang). If you can track down a 4.0, I would not hesitate to get one. It really made my 1C's shine. Smooth but detailed highs that didn't slap you around or blend too far into the background, firm, clear midrange, and the bass was awesome. The bass was fast, clear, and deep, but it had that "growl" that made more right there, life-like I guess. It was a definite improvement over the 1.0.

The 4.0 had the transfer-function to match Carver's own Silver Seven tube amps. More than a few folks thought the Silver Seven's were among the absolute best tube amps available, at least back in their day.

Although I'm a bit youthful (25), my understanding from some other SDA-aholics is that most of the quality amps from the mid to late 80's are still quite desireable amps to have with modern speakers and the latest HT formats.

Wes

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
There were one or two Carver amps that weren't common ground, I'll go out on a limb, the 1.5 and.......anyone? Bueller?

Damn sorry to hear this since I used a 1.5 to drive my SRS's for about 15 years... Sadly it is not bridgable, but other than that...

Actually the only Carver in the "t" line I that I believe is not common ground is the M500t. I had one of these, but traded it in for the 1.5t as I knew the SRS's were in my future... that and more power... :D

amulford,

I don't know much about the earlier non-"t" models, cubes and such. Have only heard the M400, but you're likely looking for one of the later models anyway. Of the t's either the 1.5 or 4.0 will deliver plenty of jollies to your ears.

On ebay a 1.5 in very good condition will run in the $450 range while the 4.0's will go $500 to even $600. Do ask about their use as many have seen rough treatment in DJ duty and cosmetically can be a little rough.

Also for the 1.5's ask their serial number and if they have been serviced by Carver. The latest upgrades came in the last third of the model's production run, ~#10,000 and up. But if the unit was Carver serviced they include the upgrades in the bench fee so they're good to go. My #2787 was serviced and came back sounding sweeter than ever.

Good luck and if you want any data or opinions on Carvers you see listed, just e-mail me.