Carver TFM-35 Issue

[renowilliams]

Well my new to me Carver TFM-35 arrived and I unboxed it. Cosmetically it look fine but when I hook it up,no lights come on and it just Humms. I downloaded the manual to ensure all connections were correct and I set it to stereo. I'm thinking a possible fuse problem. Any ideas???



On a positive note my OPPO BDP-93 arrived and it is fabulious.


Any help from you Carver experts would be greatly appriciated.


Tim

[heiney9]

I believe the TFM models have a commutator that swings from the low voltage rail to the high voltage rail and they are known to get stuck. Sounds like you'll need to send it to someone who knows how to fix it.

This is just a guess based on what I've read over the years at various sites like DIYAUDIO. Bad fuses don't cause hums.

H9

[pitdogg2]

http://www.carveraudiorepair.com/

[renowilliams]

Thanks for the reply Heiney 9. Well thats a bummer. I live in Canada so shipping this thing to the US is out of the Question would cost too much. I wonder if there is a Authorized Carver repair depot in this country. I may just buy a brand new amp and say the hell with it.

[treitz3]

Hang loose. I'll find a list of repair shops for you in Canada.

[treitz3]

Here you go. For your knowledge, there are no authorized shops in the world to work on Carver equipment. The company is defunct. That said, be sure to send it to a reputable service shop, otherwise you may end up with an expensive door stop. The ones below have been recommended by Carver gear users for repair in Canada. Unfortunately, this is all the information we have on them at the time. Good luck and please get back to us!

Ontario, Canada
Rick Turcic
Ontario Audio/Video Service Inc.
2074 Steeles Avenue East, Unit 21
Brampton,Ont. Canada L6T 4Z9
905-791-2020 fax 905-791-2121 Tf 888-791-2899
rick@ontav.com Ontario Audio/Video Service Inc. (open 8-7 Mon-Thurs., 8-6 Fri., 9-2 Sat.)

Ontario, Canada
Chris Bridge who is
anatech from http://www.canuckaudiomart.com

Vancouver, Canada
Columbus Radio
359 Lynn Ave
North Vancouver BC, V7J 2C4
604-985-8824

[heiney9]

Chris Bridge (anatech) from DIYAUDIO, is a stand-up guy. I've had many conversations with him on the DIYAUDIO forum over the years and at one point I was going to send my Adcom to him to refresh but it was just to expensive to ship up and back.

I would recommend him without hesitation as he knows his stuff. Adcom/Carver/Nakamichi, etc are his Forte.

H9

[renowilliams]

Thanks very much H9 and Treitz3,I apprieciate your help. This week-end I'll do some more troubleshooting and if I have no luck,I'll give one of those guys a call.


Thanks again


Tim

[treitz3]

No problem, Tim. Keep us posted and best wishes to a great end result.

[renowilliams]

Well I opened up the Amplifier and took some pics. Nothing looks loose or obvious with the exception of the board looking a little burnt near resisters R281 through R284 on picture DCS00266.

Here are the pics;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/renowilliams/

[TNRabbit]

Here's another Canadian Carver tech who really knows his stuff; I HIGHLY recommend him:

Robert Galayda
email: mids@shaw.ca
eBay ID: musinteg

Don't have his phone number as I lost it with my last phone~

[Lasareath]

I believe the TFM models have a commutator that swings from the low voltage rail to the high voltage rail and they are known to get stuck.

H9

is that the thing I hear when I turn mine on. It sounds like someone is inside the case and hitting the cover with a hammer.

[heiney9]

is that the thing I hear when I turn mine on. It sounds like someone is inside the case and hitting the cover with a hammer.

I doubt it, simply put a commutator is a switch. There is no physical part moving around inside the amplifier that could hit the cover.

H9

[treitz3]

is that the thing I hear when I turn mine on. It sounds like someone is inside the case and hitting the cover with a hammer.

Some Carver amplifiers will do this. It's completely normal and as you know it only happens upon powering up, Sal.

[renowilliams]

Well guys, I played with my Carver TFM-35 today and got it working. I had to move the input connectors and it came to life. When I adjust the gain control knob it cuts in and out. Anyway, I'm going to send it in and have an expert go over it.

[Polkersince85]

It may just need the gain pot cleaned. Try some Caig's on it. Clean the bridge/stereo switch, too.

[treitz3]

Agreed, Polkersince85.

When I adjust the gain control knob it cuts in and out.

You might want to save some money and just clean the pot, as this sounds like the culprit. It would be a $15 repair and if you have Radio Shack's up there, you could have it repaired today and it would last you until a major problem reared its ugly head.

This Caig De-Oxit also works to provide better contact which means better sound, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if the amplifier sounds better after the repair if you take the time to clean all of the physical contact points.

Now keep in mind, these amplifiers are up there in age and will be in need of proper maintenance, including recapping and bringing the unit back up to specifications at some point. That said, if this wasn't a bill you were expecting to pay right now, try the De-Oxit and enjoy the music until you are well prepared to have the unit refurbished.

If you have not ever used De-Oxit before, just read the instructions or feel free to ask. It's a very easy product to use. Just make sure to power off the gear prior to working on it.

[George Grand]

I think the RCA input connectors are a weak area of Carver amps. I've seen your exact problem before, it wasn't cables, and it wasn't a gain or input level controller that got dirty. Crummy input connectors.

[thsmith]

I think the RCA input connectors are a weak area of Carver amps. I've seen your exact problem before, it wasn't cables, and it wasn't a gain or input level controller that got dirty. Crummy input connectors.

+1 GG, I was thinking the same thing. I know an out of spec center pin spring will cause problems.

I use a RCA connector with the outer barrel broken off to test mine and retention as required.

[renowilliams]

Well I ended up sending my amp to Ontario Audio/Video. I spoke to Rick there today and gave him the green light to do a complete refurb. Will get it in a week or two. I am looking forward to getting it back Rick says it will be better than when it first came from the factory and he will give me a one year warentee.

[cnh]

Hey Tim,

What did you think of the Carver while you were running it? I'm thinking of picking one up to see what it sounds like? Sorry I missed you the last couple of weekends. My wife has been away and my teenage daughter is shopping for her school trip to Quebec City--she's 13 and I have to drive! She's a good kid but girls that age can be a handful.

cnh

[renowilliams]

To be honest CNH I never ran it long enough to find out. I decided to shut it off and get it looked at.