Questions for Bob @ CarverFest 2010

quote from thread:

geoff-b wrote:
Well crap !! The only reason I bought a TFM-55 (to have rebuilt) was that I thought it had the "TFM sound"! Do I need a 45 to have the "tubey flavor" ?? Anyone want a 55 for repair?

richp wrote:

The 55 is well thought of, and quite powerful; that it doesn't have the TFM circuit doesn't seem to have tarnished its rep. at all.

The 45 and all models that are equivalent were matched to Bob's Silver seven tube amp. The remainder of the TFM series, well, as you've seen some have a TFM circuit and some don't. The literature says they were designed to have ""information from null tests was used to create a unique sonic signature with tube-like, rich rolling bass, and soft yet detailed treble "

Then again, the owner manual states it's matched to the silver-7

YMMV.

If you got the TFM-55 for a decent price, you'd probably enjoy it very much.

geoff-b wrote:
It's been my understanding that the X series amps do not have the component (resistor?) that simulates the tube amp sound that the "regular" TFMs possess. Although........I am highly prone to having misconceptions, frequently !!

The only CARVER brand model that utilized the 'current source' resistor was the M-4.0t/TFM-4.0/TFM-42/TFM-45

All the others used a current feedback loop (in addition to the regular feedback) to slightly alter the amps characteristics.

In the case of the TFM-55/TFM-55X, even the TFM-55 didn't have the TFM circuit installed, so it was a bit of marketing.

In the snippet below (a portion of one channel on the TFM-55) you can see that original design called for it, but it was 'not installed'

TFM any amp on the cheap
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10867&hilit=resistor

Watch and learn:

Toymaker,

Are you and Bob planning on having a demo floor to ceiling speaker on hand that Bob referred to in his 2008 Carverfest discussion? Is that still in the works?

Don

It is still in the works, but currently on hold. He is awaiting the parts from Sunfire....not quite sure why but something is delaying the shipment. Unfortunately, these will not be at this year's 'fest as we had planned.

It is still in the works, but currently on hold. He is awaiting the parts from Sunfire....not quite sure why but something is delaying the shipment. Unfortunately, these will not be at this year's 'fest as we had planned.

Tom,

Probably a good thing. Don't know where I put another pair of new toys to listen to right now.

Don

If he can answer symptom questions? 1. Why does my Sunfire TGP-III disconnect from the amp? I put on a CD turn on everything hit play, CD player is playing but nothing! I shut everything off, unplug Processor/plug back in and all works again. This usually happens after a power outage, but recently it's been doing this at least once a week? Thanks

If he can answer symptom questions? 1. Why does my Sunfire TGP-III disconnect from the amp? I put on a CD turn on everything hit play, CD player is playing but nothing! I shut everything off, unplug Processor/plug back in and all works again. This usually happens after a power outage, but recently it's been doing this at least once a week? Thanks

That happens to me sometimes and it has to do with the all digital guts. Anyway, your solution is the same as mine. I usually do it at the back of the processor (because it's easier to reach for me). It doesn't need to be a big outage, either. It's actually not totally disconnected. I found that analog sources seem to still work. It's all the digital ones that get dropped. It's actually documented on page 53 under the heading TGIII does not respond to any controls

If he can answer symptom questions? 1. Why does my Sunfire TGP-III disconnect from the amp? I put on a CD turn on everything hit play, CD player is playing but nothing! I shut everything off, unplug Processor/plug back in and all works again. This usually happens after a power outage, but recently it's been doing this at least once a week? Thanks

That happens to me sometimes and it has to do with the all digital guts. Anyway, your solution is the same as mine. I usually do it at the back of the processor (because it's easier to reach for me). It doesn't need to be a big outage, either. It's actually not totally disconnected. I found that analog sources seem to still work. It's all the digital ones that get dropped. It's actually documented on page 53 under the heading TGIII does not respond to any controls

Thanks BillD, but I only have analog cables (Kimber RCA) on the inputs/outputs, no digital. Maybe Bob can comment on it, might be a trip to Rita's if there "is a fix"?

TFM any amp on the cheap
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10867&hilit=resistor

Watch and learn:

thanks, i watched the whole thing not too long ago. the resistor is a neat thing, but it throws the damping of the amp to muddy and/or boomy bass. still curious why it's in the schematic, but not in production. the placement of the circuit seem to be in the preamp part with some feedback design of sorts. but i am far from any kind of tech that understands these things on schematics.

when doing repairs/upgrades on the power supply caps, how much bigger can one go before the mag field amps will have problems on power up?
this relates to traic firing/ time relationship

I'm posting this here, so I don't forget to ask. I have already heard the answers to these questions during late night BS sessions with Bob, but I think Bob has a very different perspective on these topics than most would expect.
I want to catch this on tape, as I found his answers very interesting.

Bob.. Please explain in detail, your theories on US / China outsourcing?
As part of the 1st question, please also explain your view on the "concept of wealth" and how it pertains to Americans, and China.

I'm posting this here, so I don't forget to ask. I have already heard the answers to these questions during late night BS sessions with Bob, but I think Bob has a very different perspective on these topics than most would expect.
I want to catch this on tape, as I found his answers very interesting.

Bob.. Please explain in detail, your theories on US / China outsourcing?
As part of the 1st question, please also explain your view on the "concept of wealth" and how it pertains to Americans, and China.

If Bob is watching that girl dance in the corner, you guys will never get any answers!!!

This is a question from a post I just started >

This is not looking good my friends When I first put on a CD it was miss tracking, sound, no sound. At first I though it was the CD, so I put in another CD with same results. This is what led me to the connections! It is strange that the left current and voltage are distorted? You would think these would be separate outputs? It doesn't look that way in my testing. It's the left channel current and voltage that is distorted. Maybe a question for Bob? If your left/right speaker terminals are touching on the amp, is this channel now toast? This is a Sad day

Cinema Grand 200 X 5

TFM any amp on the cheap

It still won't sound like a tube amp.