Carver Raven 350 Amps

To those that own these amps, I just installed a couple of the SR Blue fuses in them and it really adds to the smoothness of the soundstage.
Highly recommended.

ozzy

A 6.3amp and 1amp both in fast blow?

erichgs,

No I just exchanged the 1A fuse with the SR 1.6A Blue in slow blow. 

ozzy

Did you try the different orientations for the fuse?  SR states it is directional, but both fuses in the Carver amp are AC (verified with Jordan), so orientation of the fuse isn't necessarily "easy".

No, I just put them in with the writing on the fuse going from front to back.
Sounded real good so I left them in that direction.

ozzy

Well I did a disservice to the Carver Raven 350 Amps based on one of my previous posts about hiss coming from the Carver amps when using the balanced outputs from my DEQX.

I discovered that my DEQX preamp had some internal output jumpers in the wrong place. Either the previous owner or somewhere earlier I did it.

Once corrected these amps are now the purist best dynamic amps I have ever heard, beit solid state or tube.

ozzy

@ozzy   Good to know!  Even better your being super happy with them. How are your Carver speakers breaking in?

david_ten,

Well its funny, the DEQX jumper situation didn’t really surface until I got the Carver speakers. 
This week I will post more on the speaker thread.

ozzy

Ozzy,

Where do you have the jumpers set?  4 on the output and 2-3 on the input (listed as default)?

erichgs,

Yes, I have the 6 jumpers on the fourth setting plus the 2 on the input at the 2-3 setting. For a total of 8 jumpers being used.

ozzy

Thanks ozzy,

I have my SoundScape 8s now and the highs are still a little harsh.  Was contemplating whether to drop the gain before I begin calibrating.  I think I will calibrate and then see where I am at as I do not get any sound out of the speakers when there is no source playing.

Erich

smokenjo25 posts05-08-2018 6:42pmhas anyone try PSVANE tubes in their 350

I’m using PSVANE 12AX& & 12AT7 and the original Shuguang KT88s in my 180’s which drive Avalon Eidolons. The line level signal is from a Reflection Audio OM-1 battery powered preamplifier.

In my experience the system context can have a greater influence on the outcome of a resulting tube change not to mention ones personal taste in a systems overall presentation.

Pardon my ability to convey my sonic differences. In my system I found the PSVANEs increased a sense of space or openness and a slightly deeper stage. An overall refinement that one might associate, but not quite as dramatic as, a phono cartridge upgrade.

Regarding the Shuguang KT88s used in the Bob Carver VTA 180s:

Going on five years of ownership I’ve only needed to replace one output tube due to a physical bump that mechanically loosened the bottle from the base which dramatically lowered its output according to the amplifiers own bias test method. After testing the remaining five tubes as well as the new replacement tube the bias setting remained at the same point as the initial setting after the amplifiers initial insulation years ago. I was unable to hear any noticeable improvement with the addition of the one new tube.

By comparison at this point in usage I had preformed numerous bias adjustments and changed full complements of tubes in my Marantz 8Bs and my MFA D75 exhibiting noticeable improvements in presentation as a result of their replacement.

From the 350 manual: ["FUSES

The rear panel line fuse is a 6 ampere (3 ampere for 240 volt operation), fast blow type, and should be replaced with the same type and rating if it ever needs replacing. Do not, under any circumstances, use a "slow-blow" fuse here.

The (rear panel) vacuum tube cathode fuse is a 1.0 ampere and should be replaced with the same type and rating. If the fuse blows during bench testing, it may be temporarily replaced with a 1.25 or 1.5 ampere fuse.

Normally, a 1.0 ampere fuse will be perfect for music because the peak-to-average power ratio of speech and music is about 10:1. If you find that the 1.0 amp fuse blows with music, you may replace it with a 1.25 ampere fuse, or even a 1.5 ampere unit."]

I’m thinking of getting a pair of the Raven 350’s to drive my Martin Logan Montis but for the money am also looking at a used Mesa Boogie Baron amp or a VTL 150 (as had the MB450’s in the past and loved the sound) am open to input as the Carvers seem pretty amazing but for the $ wonder why they would need mods?

I own the crimson 350s and they are amazing. They will drive a 1 ohm dip with no problem. I drive Carver amazing silvers (on Mr Cs recommendation) that will eat power and again they handle them easily. Plus you can try them for 30 days and send them back if you don’t like them.  Pair them with some pre amp specials some Carver dealers are doing and you will be amazed they are not $50000 +. I’ve been to AXPONA many times and I know $50000 + sounds like   Mine are warrantied tubes and all for 50 yrs per Mr C but 5 yrs tubes and all how can you beat that.  You can put your hand on the tubes after they have been playing for hrs.  No mods I see no reason to mod them but I have a psvane  type ll front end which I love.  You cannot go wrong.  Go listen to them. Then you will buy and live happily ever after 

The standard warranty is 10 long years tubes and all ....sorry for the error and some distributors give 60 day returns.  

I'm still lovin' mine.

ozzy

Dracule1.  Just wondering if you ever ran your mod past Mr C or Jordan and if so what did they say?
Smokenjo. I run Psvanes type ll on the front end and they really opened up the soundstage and top end for me.  I love them. Give them a try they made a big difference over the stock although the stock vintage tubes are very good. 

Mark

drkingfish,

When you say you are using the Psvanes on the front end, are you referring to the input tubes in the Carver 350?

I have been using Telefunken there. So, I wonder if the Psvanes would be better than the Telefunken's?
I may buy a set to try.

ozzy

Even though I really like the vintage Telefunken tubes that I am using, I went ahead an ordered a couple of the Treasure 12ax7LS super tubes to try.

ozzy

OzzyYes using Psvanes on the input.  Replacing the 12ax7 and 12at7 with Psv Type II

mine originally came with a JJ variant on the 12x and a EH on the 12t

Thanks, Hopefully I will have the Treasure Super tubes soon to try.
http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/

ozzy

ozzy.......................please let me know your opinion.  I loved them so well I changed out my Prima Luna Prologue 6s with 4 Psvane Type II.  2 12au7s and 12 at7 , 2 each per mono and the improvement is significant even though i think he PL tubes are very good

Mark

drkingfish,

Yes, I really liked the super tubes. Way deep, wide soundstage worth every penny! I actually just ordered a back up pair!

ozzy

I just unboxed a new pair of Crimson 350s for the Axpona show this weekend. This open box pair will be available to ship next Monday, April 15th. Big savings. Full warranty. 815 323 0898.

ozzy,I knew you would love them, they made a huge difference in mine even though Carver does install very good tubes.  Get 100 hrs on them and you'll love them even more.  Thank God that the bob-father is still going strong because the tubes are nothing w/out the amps that came out if his head.  To all out there that would never spend $9500 on a set of monos, I understand that's a lot of money so take a look at the Carver 275 that came out of Mr C's head $2750 and they'll hold their own sound wise at anything in the lower 5 figure range.  You just get less power that ozzy and I have.  If Jim has a demo at Axpona on that it just might leave with me.

A little late to the party, but I want to add that I am currently using a pair of the4 Raven 350s to power Sound Lab A1-PX panels with tremendous results.   I have tried almost everything to power these beasts (Pass Labs 250.8 and 350.5, Veritas Monoblocks, Conrad Johnson LP125M, McIntosh 2300, Classé, Parasound, etc....) and the Carvers are the best.  Very natural. Not dark at all in my opinion.  Come listen if you are in Las Vegas.

dlee999,

Good to know. I'm still digging my Carver's.

ozzy

Simpleman68,
Read your post on the Bob Carver 350's and you mentioned the Wavelet (with Legacy Aeris) has a hard time with many tube amps. I have the original 305's and was going to buy the Legacy Aeris and Wavelet until I read your post. Can you give me any more info why the Wavelet is not good with tube amps. Thanks!

Just wonderin' what bias setting is preferred with the Carvers 350's.

ozzy