Benchmark AHB2 - but that will set you back $3500! How much better? That’s debatable. The M-400T circuit was tweaked by Bob Carver to copy the sound of a Levinson ML2 class A amp. In fact all the Carver production amps from that time period were given the "treatment" - signified by the T designation. This was after Bob was given the challenge by Stereophile to take one of his production amps and copy the sound of a Conrad Johnson tube amp. This Bob did successfully! Afterwards he decided to incorporate the changes in all his production amps - but choosing the ML2 instead of the CJ Premier.
Carver M-4.0T driving Magnepan MG-1 IMP
I've been using separates (DPA 200s power amp and DSP 2000 preamp) for the past 20 years. Very pleased with the performance of that combo, however I kept hearing the 50 Watts per channel is insufficient to drive my Magnepan MG-1 IMP speakers. People advised me to try and get a power amp that could dish out more watts, since Maggies are notoriously power hungry.
I was sitting on a fence about changing my power amp, since I was happy with the DPA 200s and also was aware that bumping the power up to 200+ watts will not be on the cheap.
Then, on a lark, this weekend I visited my local audio store and after chatting with the owner, he showed me a refurbished Carver M-4.0T. After listening to it for a while at the store, I decided to take the plunge. Bought the amp and took it home.
To be honest, I wasn't really expecting much. Bob Carver is a notoriously controversial name in audio circles. Some see him as a Sideshow Bob, a snake oil salesman, on account of his unorthodox approach to designing amps.
Today, I finally connected my Carver M-4.0T to my Maggies, and sat down for a listen. I was expecting to hear muddy sound, flabby bass, harsh highs, recessed mids (based on all the bad things I was reading about Carver M-4.0T online). Instead, I started hearing brilliant, forceful sound begin to pour from my Maggies!
I could not believe my ears. Such great, brilliant sound, better than DPA 200s? How's that possible? Keep in mind that I started listening to the amp straight after plugging it in. It was cold, didn't even get a chance to warm up.
Also, the sound now appears more silky. Smoother. Especially as the amp keeps warming up. Is that euphonic, or is it neutral sound, the way the engineers mastered it on the tape?
I know Carver is a controversial topic that more often than not raises eyebrows, but all I can say is that the proof is in the pudding. Carver M-4.0T does sound notably better than DPA 200s. The bass is firmer and goes deeper, the mids are clearer and better rendered in the soundstage, the highs are definitely smoother, silkier, more precise. Overall, more authoritative command of the playback. Maggies are obviously loving the extra power.
I guess what that means is that DPA 200s isn't really that great of a power amp after all.
What power amp would I have to upgrade from Carver M-4.0T in order to improve the sound coming out of my Maggies? I must say that the sound I'm getting now is pretty darn sweet. What a pleasant, unexpected surprise!
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