Carver mk II series audio amplifiers

M-50tMkII.jpg (37.92 KiB) Viewed 752 times

Heavily modified Carver M-500t Mk II audio amplifier. Modifications include several internal part replacements.

Parallel power supply rectifiers, increased capacitance, enhanced voltage gain stage, higher current output transistors with 7% silver solder to name a few of the performance boosting enhancements.

5-way binding posts bring the amp into the 21st Century using 7% silver solder

Meter incandescent lamps are replaced with high output Luxeon amber LEDs

Carver M-500t mk II specifications

Rating------Stock------------------------Mk II
Power
8 ohms-----251watts <0.15% THD------395 watts <0.15% THD
4 ohms-----330 watts <0.15% THD-----420 watts <0.15% THD

At Clipping
8 ohms-----270 watts--------------------410 watts
4 ohms-----350 watts--------------------490 watts

Dynamic
8 ohms-----380 watts--------------------520 watts
4 ohms-----470 watts--------------------920 watts
2 ohms-----412 watts-------------------1214 watts

M10tMkII.jpg (31.38 KiB) Viewed 753 times

Carver M-1.0t mk II specifications
Rating------Stock------------------------Mk II

Power
8 ohms-----200 watts <0.15% THD-----400 watts <0.15% THD
4 ohms-----400 watts <0.15% THD-----450 watts <0.15% THD

At Clipping
8 ohms-----350 watts--------------------450 watts
4 ohms-----500 watts--------------------520 watts

Dynamic
8 ohms-----550 watts--------------------670 watts
4 ohms-----832 watts--------------------940 watts
2 ohms-----928 watts-------------------1250 watts

The amp will be packed in a cocoon of 2" expanded polysterene foam block, and shipped insured with signature required.

A re-print of the owner's manual, along with a mk II addendum, is included.

As long as I'm alive I will repair any mk II amp sold for cost of parts plus shipping.

see the website for full details...

Wow, not a lot of difference between the M500 & M1.0 after the Mk II treatment!

Yes, they get VERY similar spec-wise. The m-1.0t mk II is a bit more efficient, having three rails to the M-500t mk II's two rails

Do the power meters on the M500t II reflect the actual power output or do they have to taken with a grain of salt? Also does the sonic character/signature remain intact from the original? I always liked the 500's sweet and juicy like these nutz., easy on the ears sound.

Do the power meters on the M500t II reflect the actual power output or do they have to taken with a grain of salt? Also does the sonic character/signature remain intact from the original? I always liked the 500's sweet and juicy like these nutz., easy on the ears sound.

The meter's are aligned to show power into an 8 ohm load; being long analog needles they will twitch to transients, but won't show an accurate reading of peak power demands. That was true before the mod as well.

The sonic signature of the M-500t is unchanged; I don't mess with the t mod circuit. The largest change is in the current sourcing ability, which the original is a bit soft on. Drums will be tighter, dynamic transients crisper, but her voice remains the same.

I love the new avatar Rich.

I love the new avatar Rich.

Ditto!

Tower of Power

I thought about Sunfire for the HT setup, but the lack of available schematics (I want to be able to work on my own stuff) drove me to it.

I love the new avatar Rich.

The Dream Tower of Power! I want one,,,Can anything like this be done to the 1.5t?
OK I am saving for my next amp now that I know what I want.

I love the new avatar Rich.

Talk about a Wall Of Sound!

I love the new avatar Rich.

The Dream Tower of Power! I want one,,,Can anything like this be done to the 1.5t?
OK I am saving for my next amp now that I know what I want.

I don't work on the M-1.5t, it has vertical boards packed close together so it's harder to work on; the M-1.0t is a more open layout.

I'd be careful of all that wait on top of that bottom 500 Rich.
Over a 100 lbs on her. The bottom screening is pretty chintzy on them IMHO.
Crush Factor wise that is. Hate to see you dead short one of them out by the screen collapsing onto the bottom of the circuit board.
I get nervous with just my three stacked up.

I'd be careful of all that wait on top of that bottom 500 Rich.
Over a 100 lbs on her. The bottom screening is pretty chintzy on them IMHO.
Crush Factor wise that is. Hate to see you dead short one of them out by the screen collapsing onto the bottom of the circuit board.
I get nervous with just my three stacked up.

It's a four rail rack....each amp has L iron 'rails' from the front to back rails. The amp sits on the L, so although they look like they're stacked on top of each other, each is supported. They are naked inside, and the entire cabinet serves as the 'chassis'. Three intake fans on the bottom and three exhaust fans on top, activated by thermistor.

So the tops and bottoms are off all those amps? THat should help cooling a lot