problem with my TFM 15CB

Just bought this amplifier. At very low volumes, you can hear the left channel start to drop out. As soon as I turn the volume up on the pre-amp, it comes back in just fine. After it has been on a while, the problem disapears.

Unless you don't mind spending more money than you paid for it send it out for repair. Otherwise, just leave it on all the time.

Welcome

May be that the volumn pot on the pre is oxidized. Have you tried this pre with another amp without this problem? Spray a little deoxit on it and see if the problem persists.

I cleaned the Pots already. I suspect is may be a electrolytic cap issue. One of the small electrolytics in the signal path???? Help!!!

I'm thinking it's a cold (thermal) solder near the input, otherwise, it wouldn't just happen at low volume. I'd look at touching up the solder on all the components (a few resistors and caps) leading up to the first transistor on the left channel.

How much you want for it ? I need parts !

I know I need another meter.

Have you tried this pre with another amp without this problem?

...Well???? Have you??? May be the pre...

I am using my Marantz 2230 as the pre amp and it works fine by itself.

Well, if you just bought it...can you send it back to the seller and have him/her fix it or offer you a refund? Sounds like you got the raw end of the deal here and that's not fair.

By definition, all the Carver gear is old. Much of it is worn down. Shipping the higher $$ pieces out for repair is a good deal as you get back an excellent item.
On the other end, hard to justify even the shipping costs on some of it.

Maybe you need to just live with this and save up for a better one. To be honest, that is a fun endeavor. Yours does work, and so you have the luxury to shop for a long time to get a great deal on something. Shopping is fun, educational, and free. Sooner or later you will run across a deal your newly developed OCCD can not resist.

I can repair it