My first "good" amplifier probably 35 years or more ago was a Carver, A big black box that sat on an included thick piece of smoked glass. Special order from Washington State. When I plugged it in, It was DOA. I called the dealer and they of course wanted me to bring it back. About 15 minutes later, the phone rings and it Bob Carver calling to apologize and to give me free advice on my setup. A replacement unit was already on the way. Yes I'm a fan.
Also owned one of his subwoofer cubes and sold it years later for as much as I paid for it. Speaking of tubes, still have a Carver C-19 hybrid preamp out in the garage as a backup for my C-J GAT, if anybody wants it. What a creative guy.