doctorlivingstone Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Hi folks, long time reader, first time poster. I'd really appreciate some advice. I have a chance to pick up a Carver amp, control center (pre-amp), and tuner. It's all in good used but not museum condition, and it's basically free. I've got way more 2 channel stuff than I need, so I'm not sure if this is worth accepting or not, yea I know, it's free, but if I take it and it sits in a closet someplace there is no point. So anyway, I'm running a pair of Klipsch Chorus as my main set of two channel, with additional speaker sets in additional rooms. I'm pushing them with a Pioneer SA9500II/TX9500II. I know, old school for sure, but I like warmth of the old Pioneer stuff, and the wattage (80wpc) has never left me wanting more. So this Carver stuff, I never owned Carver anything previously so I have zero experience with it. The amp is model M1.5t, the control center is model C1, and the tuner is model TX-2. I know the wattage is quite a bit higher than my Pioneer - something in the range of 300wpc? So theoretically more power, more headroom, etc etc. I've heard Carver has a good reputation, but like I say, I'm clueless on these units . . . Does anyone have any experience with these units form Carver? Are they any good? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 Bob Carver had a long career and not all his products are equal. So the recommendations need to be specific about the models involved. So let me take a crack and violate what I just said. I have a Carver TX tuner (similar) model. I think it is fine and on the used market they are a pretty good deal. As far as the amp goes, I have not had extended listneing with the m1.5. IIRC, it sounded pretty good. I did have extended listening with the m1.0t and I thought it as great (the later version with the bridging switch is the more desirable one). Not all the m series amps were good IMO, the later, bigger ones were okay but not great. BTW, these are older amps and may need some re-freshing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmako Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 http://thecarversite.com/yetanotherforum/ Good place to start. I have some even older Phase gear and I got some good advice from them. The forum isn't nearly as busy as this site so you may not get replies right away. I know little about the gear, but that amp is fairly highly regarded by some. I'd love to have one. I have an older Phase Tuner and it's a bit of a toad. Looks cool as hell, but there's more to audio than looks....I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted March 5, 2011 Share Posted March 5, 2011 I would pick it up and try it, it sounds fine on Klipsch (I was a dealer for both Carver and Klipsch when these were current). I would install an in-line fuseholder for protection, the M1.5T can put out 600W/4R continuous, 1.2KW on program material (per channel). Down the road, you might be able to trade a M1.5T for a M1.0T (with switch). If I could, I would; eventually the M1.5 will need new filter caps on the two lower rails and they will require some work to fit new types (original ones not available). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I still use the TX-2 I bought new. It is a fine tuner... no complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHoman Posted March 6, 2011 Share Posted March 6, 2011 I run a Carver C-11 pre in my main system and it does a good job. I have heard good things about the C-1, would love to try one in my system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 The Carver preamps used the 4136 opamp, with this adaptor you can put in some much better sounding opamps. http://cimarrontechnology.com/rc4136upgradeadapter.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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