Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:18 pm
2nd Gen Carver Fan
Glad to be here and I am enjoying my Carver equipment very much. Let me give you the reasons why a 28 year guy buys 25 year old equipment.
When I was much younger around 10 or so, My dad had a Carver TFM15, Carver C16, and a Polk Audio RM3000 rig. He used to turn the volume and sit on the couch listening to his tunes. I never paid much attention to it then but I do remember the sound and feeling of it.
Fast forward to about 5 years ago. I fell into a awesome deal on a pair of RtiA5's when Sound Advice was closing down. Ever since that day I have always searched for that sound that i remember for my dads rig. At first thinking that my Polks attached to a 7 year old Sony htib receiver would mimic that sound, I realized what I needed. After a few receiver upgrades I finally settled down on a Pioneer Elite Vsx-32 that had pre outs. But even though this receiver sounds great and has all the features I want it didnt have that sound. So I started researching Carver amps, I new i wanted more power the the TFM15 offered and I ended up settling on the 1.0t.
After alot of research and forum searching I realized that I would perfer to purchase locally and make sure some of the common issues where not present. After sometime i found a guy selling one on craigslist and he was willing to demo it for me. Not knowing what to expect going to this guys house, I was hesitant. Upon arriving i was greeted by a very nice mid 60's man and wife. He takes me inside, and his house is full of vintage amps and speakers of all kinds, beautiful pioneer rack systems, turntables, and reel to reel tape players. Then he took me to where the Carver amp was, back in his "workshop". In there was all kinds of audio testing and repair equipment, a few oscilloscopes and VU meters as well. Come to find out that he has many years in working on and repairing vintage audio equipment. I was in awe
I spent the next hour and a half listening to and chatting about audio and the Carver. he explained everything he checked out to make sure it was in spec, balanced the channels, and he opened it for me and showed me the board and the caps. Explained what everything was and what he had repaired over the years. One thing that he said to me really impacted me. He said " seeing such a young person (I am 28) that is really interested in quality vintage audio and not satisfied with just earplug speakers was refreshing to him". That really made me feel good, many people dont understand why we spend so much money on this stuff when music can be hear on earbuds and a ipod. It was nice to share that love of audio with him.
When the time came to pay he offered me a Carver C-1 and a Carver Tx-2, I turned him down as it was hard enough to get my wife to let me pay the $325 for the amp. He persisted and I told him that I had no need for a pre as I used my Elite for that. The he told me that he would give them both to me for and extra $20. I instantly jumped on paypal and paid the difference.
I left there feeling so happy, not only had I purchased what I had wanted for so long but I got more then I wanted for a incredible deal. Then to top it all off, it was owned by a audiophile that knew what he was doing. Its a dream purchase.
The amp is wonderful, No thump, no static, no bulging caps, Just a good clean amp inside and out. Both the preamp and the amp have immaculate faceplates and had been serviced by him recently.
The sound is just as I remembered. Instantly memories of when i was a kid came flooding back. Such a warm, clear and powerful sound. The C-1 and the 1.0t just absolutely devastate my elite in terms of quality
Just wanted to share my experience, and how glad I am to be a part of this forum.
Sorry for being long winded.
When I was much younger around 10 or so, My dad had a Carver TFM15, Carver C16, and a Polk Audio RM3000 rig. He used to turn the volume and sit on the couch listening to his tunes. I never paid much attention to it then but I do remember the sound and feeling of it.
Fast forward to about 5 years ago. I fell into a awesome deal on a pair of RtiA5's when Sound Advice was closing down. Ever since that day I have always searched for that sound that i remember for my dads rig. At first thinking that my Polks attached to a 7 year old Sony htib receiver would mimic that sound, I realized what I needed. After a few receiver upgrades I finally settled down on a Pioneer Elite Vsx-32 that had pre outs. But even though this receiver sounds great and has all the features I want it didnt have that sound. So I started researching Carver amps, I new i wanted more power the the TFM15 offered and I ended up settling on the 1.0t.
After alot of research and forum searching I realized that I would perfer to purchase locally and make sure some of the common issues where not present. After sometime i found a guy selling one on craigslist and he was willing to demo it for me. Not knowing what to expect going to this guys house, I was hesitant. Upon arriving i was greeted by a very nice mid 60's man and wife. He takes me inside, and his house is full of vintage amps and speakers of all kinds, beautiful pioneer rack systems, turntables, and reel to reel tape players. Then he took me to where the Carver amp was, back in his "workshop". In there was all kinds of audio testing and repair equipment, a few oscilloscopes and VU meters as well. Come to find out that he has many years in working on and repairing vintage audio equipment. I was in awe
I spent the next hour and a half listening to and chatting about audio and the Carver. he explained everything he checked out to make sure it was in spec, balanced the channels, and he opened it for me and showed me the board and the caps. Explained what everything was and what he had repaired over the years. One thing that he said to me really impacted me. He said " seeing such a young person (I am 28) that is really interested in quality vintage audio and not satisfied with just earplug speakers was refreshing to him". That really made me feel good, many people dont understand why we spend so much money on this stuff when music can be hear on earbuds and a ipod. It was nice to share that love of audio with him.
When the time came to pay he offered me a Carver C-1 and a Carver Tx-2, I turned him down as it was hard enough to get my wife to let me pay the $325 for the amp. He persisted and I told him that I had no need for a pre as I used my Elite for that. The he told me that he would give them both to me for and extra $20. I instantly jumped on paypal and paid the difference.
I left there feeling so happy, not only had I purchased what I had wanted for so long but I got more then I wanted for a incredible deal. Then to top it all off, it was owned by a audiophile that knew what he was doing. Its a dream purchase.
The amp is wonderful, No thump, no static, no bulging caps, Just a good clean amp inside and out. Both the preamp and the amp have immaculate faceplates and had been serviced by him recently.
The sound is just as I remembered. Instantly memories of when i was a kid came flooding back. Such a warm, clear and powerful sound. The C-1 and the 1.0t just absolutely devastate my elite in terms of quality
Just wanted to share my experience, and how glad I am to be a part of this forum.
Sorry for being long winded.
