2. amps-preamps
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Carver, THE standard of excellence IMO

I have read many discussions on these forums and others about many people having difficulty getting hold of or information from the manufacturers or dealers about problems with their gear.  Some wait weeks,months or forever for a response.Yesterday (Sunday) I thought I was having a small problem with my Carver Crimson 350 amps and I did some tests described in the manual to check the KT120 tubes.  I was getting some strange meter readings and couldn't understand why.  So I went to the Carver site and wrote a detailed email at that site, expecting to hear back sometime this week.  At the time I did not know it went straight to the president and co-owner Frank Malilz, but it does. Frank marked it "very important" and forwarded to Bob Carver who at 9:15 pm (my time) sent me a detailed answer that solved my problems.  Are you kidding me!!!! straight to the pres and then to the designer (we all know who is a legend) and back to me within 6 hrs ON A SUNDAY!  To paraphrase a truck commercial....Carver doesn't raise the bar, it sets it.

I know not everyone can afford a set of $9500 monos but I am sure the service would be the same on Carver's new 275s at less than $2800.  I have heard the 275s at Axpona and they are voiced extremely close to the 350s just not as much power.  For most set ups they would be magnificent.  Who else gives the amp AND tubes a TRANSFERABLE 5 yr warranty?  Both the 350 and 275 play for hrs and never get hot.  Handmade in the USA and signed by the legend himself.  If you are looking for a tube amp in this category that plays far far above it's price you owe it to yourself to check out the 275 (or the 350s if you can go that way financially, 10 yr warranty on everything, if you talk to Bob he would probably give you a 50 yr warranty on amp AND tubes, I am not kidding in the least.)  I have no interest in any way with Bob Carver Corp other than a love of it's products and service.  I've posted some here before so you know I'm not a shill. I just wanted to educate some on this forum about my experience, about a great product and outstanding service from the people who make that product.  I believe they really care about audio and their customers.
DrMark  (Doc from MI on some Carver sites)
drkingfish
markainsworth's avatar
markainsworth
93 posts
 
I am an old guy.  I remember lusting after Carver's High Current designs.  I have owned one Carver piece.  It was a Sunfire 5 channel receiver (I forget the model number)  that replaced a New York Audio Labs setup. I enjoyed the Sunfire for a few years, but then the left channel stopped working.  I considered getting it repaired, but when I bought my Magnepan 1.7's I gave it away and purchased a used Parasound HCA2200, which is about 30 years old and is still silent.  I am thinking about getting the Parasound re-capped, but am intrigued by the new Carver tube amp.  I have a Aric Audio tube preamp which I feel improved the sound of my system markedly over the Marsh unit it replaced.

Does anybody have thoughts on powering the Magnepan's with a 275?
jhills
618 posts
 
@markainsworthDoes anybody have thoughts on powering the Magnepan's with a 275?


I'm powering my Maggie 1.7s with a 100W Rogue Cronus Mag II, integrated tube with the KT120 tubes and it does a beautiful job. I'm an old guy myself and my poor old ears and head no longer enjoy concert level volumes. l listen to jazz, contemporary, blues, light pop, classic rock, chamber and old country at something south of 80 db. 
Unless you listen to very loud rock or concert level full orchestration, I think the Carver 275 @ 75W pr. Chanel would work very well......Jim
normansizemore
601 posts
 
I’m and old hifi nut.  I’ve still own my 1976 Phase Linear 4000 preamp, and my 1976 400 amplifier, which is without question one of the quietest, most dynamic amps I’ve ever heard.  I’ve never had a problem.  I recently sent my 4000 out for a tune up and will do the same with the 400.  They are getting old and it’s just time to have them checked out.

I don’t use the 4000 much anymore, but I play the 400 regularly.

How many of you have 43 old products that still perform as intended?  I love my vintage gear, and along with my ancient Marantz, Sansui, McIntosh etal Phase Linear has been just as reliable.

With regard to Bob Carver, he was selling an amp on eBay, I messaged him about and asked an unrelated question about my Phase Linear, which he personally answered in extensive detail.

Thats pretty amazing and to me personally speaks volumes about the man.

Norman.
clearthink
1,421 posts
 
fmalitz "We will be prosecuting clearthink to the full extent of the law unless he prints a retraction in the next 10 days...If my lawyer says he's entitled to this as an opinion, I will accept it and apologize"

I have yet to hear from your attorney or any prosecutor regarding Bob Carver's "Flame Linear" and "Surefire" products so  it is now evident, apparent, and established that your company acknowledges they're incendiary reputation!
normansizemore
601 posts
 
Come on.... it’s time to let it go.  This is Hi-Fi after all.  When did the forum get so serious?  Lighten up, spin a record, pour a drink. Enjoy some music.. just sayin.. =)

N
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