Apologies for the long delay in posting. A lot has happened in the interim. Some of the custom made parts for the amp build is taking way too long. So after discussing the matter with Bob, I have decided to build the four chassis amp with off the shelf obtainable "audiophile" parts.
I have acquired four OPT transformers for Hashimoto of Japan:
http://www.tube-amps.net...o_Prods/HW-100-5_800.jpg
Hashimoto senior engineers were part of Sansui of Japan in the glory years before they got bought out buy Chinese investment group. Each of these OPT are conservatively rated at 100 watts. However, when bought tested them in his lab, each was capable of handling over 200 watts. Since I am using two of these per channel, these can handle over 400 watts! You can read all about Hashimoto here:
http://www.tube-amps.net/index.htm
They are meticulous in their design,s and their transformers are regarded as one of the best in the world. Bob was very impressed with them.
Bob has designed two custom power transformers, which are on their way to me. He tells me they are about 35 to 40 lbs each!
Resistors are made by PRP, Kiwame, Mills, and Shinkoh. Coupling caps are Audyn True Copper caps. Mundorf, Axon, Nichicon make up the other caps.
The Goldpoint stepped attenuator with remote control is used for volume control.
I have hired Gary Dodd to build my amp. He has been building tube amps for decades and is one of the best builders I have come across. Plus, his rates for labor is one of the most affordable in the industry. You can see some of his work here:
http://doddaudio.com/photos.html
Beautiful workmanship, no? He will be posting pictures of the build process as we go along.
This amp will still be one of the best out there. I am doing this so I can get a working amp to use in my system. My patience is thin.
As for the ultimate Carver Amp build, I am slowly gathering the custom parts. Bob is building me custom output transformers (OPT) using M3 steel/Nickel hybrid EI core with his custom NASA silver alloy wire. Externally it has the same appearance as the OPT on his famous Silver 7 monoblock tube amps. However, these will be painted piano gloss black. The laminations will be smoothed out, so the OPT will look like a single solid block of piano black goodness. It will be awesome. Also, I am trying to convince Hashimoto to build pair of 400 watt OPT (I'm sure based on their 100 watt OPTs, these can handle 600 watts easily)...these will be completely custom like Bobs OPTs but will use Japanese steel double C-core with copper wire. Hashimoto doesn't believe in using silver wire...they claim silver doesn't sound tonally correct.
I have received custom made inductive (autoformer) volume controls with remote control. It took over 4 months to get. Will post pic later. I'm still working on getting custom resistors from Texas Components (Naked Z foil resistors) and PRC (Precision wire wound resistors). And so on....
Hope everyone is well.