Repair m4.0t or buy a Sunfire?

Hi there,

I have an m4.0t amp that I have loved with a C-1 pre-amp. There are some issues with the m4.0t now (one channel seems to produce a lot of static noise, hiss, some crackling in the speakers) and I have tried the amp with other pre-amps and the speakers with other amps and there is not static or hiss. The problem seems to be getting worse.

I am wondering if it makes sense financially to have the m4.0t repaired/modified (if that is possible) or to put the costs of these repairs into buying something else, like a Sunfire 300x2 amp? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Send it to me and buy a Sunfire!

Since you started your post by saying you loved the M4.0 I would lean towards getting it refurbed.

Either Rita or Rolland will do a great job & you will end up with what is essentially a "new" amp.

Rita has the plus of possibly getting it signed by Bob.

Rolland on the other hand may be the best person I've ever dealt with.

You will be happy with either. Your call.

The Sunfire option, while a "better" amp will cost considerably more then $300.00 used.

You are in a win win situation so thats good.

My .02

P.S. don't send it to Jppkktt...he has enough stuff already.

Hey FrankieD,

thanks for your 2 cents! I think I will give Rita and or Rolland a call to discuss it. You are right, going with a Sunfire would be a significant amount more than repairing the m4.0 It may be something to look at in the future.

jjptkd: Well, if you are interested in buying I might consider that and putting the $ towards a new system.

Thanks guys,

tonionc

You said the amp was fine with otherpreamps, so why don't you think the pre amp is the problem

You said the amp was fine with otherpreamps, so why don't you think the pre amp is the problem

Good call Gary.

I missed that when I read the first post.

I think the original post was correctly interpreted: he's isolated the problem and it's the 4.0 (perhaps he mis-worded the diagnosis)?
I'd tend to agree: unless you have REALLY power hungry/low impedance speaks, I'd stick with the cheaper option of re-furbing your 4.0. The very slight (by my ears/system) increase in fidelity/raw power that you'll realize by going to a used Sunfire (which may or may not be 100% up to snuff after you shell out a lot more for it than a re-furb job on your 4.0) is probably not really worth it (with above caveats). The Carver 42/45/4.0's have a very sweet and juicy like these nutz. "tube-like" sound that even now (after switching out my 42 for a 300x2) I'm not 100% convinced that the 300x2 exceeds or meets. More "command", slightly more "clarity" at mid range frequencies, perhaps a better "sound stage", yes, PROBABLY; but a "sweeter" overall sound?? Not sure.....so why put yourself through that doubt? Get your 4.0 re-furbed: you'll hear a big improvement in sound and will most likely be very pleased with your decision (and $'s saved!) - Ed

Elgrau, when I read your handle I hear Marc Bolan of T-Rex in my head, singing, 'Elgra-u, is it you?' 'Elgra-u, is it you yeah yeah yeah...'

Is that just wrong?

Yes; probably...
Try "el Grau" as in "the grey one" (as Grau is Germain for grey and my 1st two initials are E. L.)....
damn newbies...

Vintage stuff is all about repairing the stuff you like.

Even if you got a Sunfire, it might need a little repair/refresh also.
As to sound, Most Carver amps will power anything. Some sound different, but better is in the ear of the listener.
Even I was looking at tubes last night just to keep up. There is a nice low end Jolida on Audigon right now at a good price.
I need that because of the guys here. I also need their fat wallets.

I probably don't even prefer a tube amp over solid state, just like you might not like any amp over yours.
One "expert" said buying tubes is the same as buying Bose - "no highs and no lows".
A lot of people like tubes, and even more like Bose.

At the end of the day, I still believe that speaker upgrades are the best use of extra money if you already have a good amp.

If you've isolated the problem as being the amp I'll agree with Frankie. You love it so get it repaired and you will probably not believe the difference new caps and such make in the final sound. It will then last you another 30 years!!! If you want a Sunfire I can tell you they are great amps but a little more costly.

I personally like other amps over the m-4.0t but if you like it, and its been working for you, then you should probably just have that one refurbished and get another 20-30 years out of it. If you want to go with something else, I have a refurbished TFM-45 that I just put up for sale on eBay-- maybe we could work out a partial trade? PM me if you're interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carver-TFM-45-Recap ... 3365d1b45a

I believe the M1.0 & the TFM42/45 are the same amp in a different cover.

Someone knows & will chime in but I believe that Bob said that at one of the Fests.

Go Sunfire, simple as that.

you could also consider grabbing some of Bob's TUBE AMPS!

Assuming you meant "M4.0 & the TFM42/45 are the same amp in a different cover", Frankie. They all 375 w/c; 1.0 is 200 w/c?