Carver tube amp
- Ben D. Rinkin
- Newbie 50+
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Carver tube amp
Spotted one of Mr. Carvers littler tube amps on eBay for a decent price perhaps. Too much for me at this time unfortunately. I'll bet that'd be sweetness...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-Carver-VTA ... Sw5vxcK~05
BDR
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-Carver-VTA ... Sw5vxcK~05
BDR
Socialism takes and Capitalism creates
Re: Carver tube amp
That was Bob's production model of the Carverfest 20WPC amp build in 2011. For more info on the CF amp look here:
http://carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=157
http://carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=157
- Ben D. Rinkin
- Newbie 50+
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Re: Carver tube amp
Actually there is now two of those amps listed at $1300 on eBay. One is $60 shipping and the other $80. One is serial number 33 and the other 39.
Had to look closer at them because both didn't get cleaned before pictures were taken. Thought at first was the same amp listed under two different sellers or something.
BDR
.
Had to look closer at them because both didn't get cleaned before pictures were taken. Thought at first was the same amp listed under two different sellers or something.
BDR
.
Socialism takes and Capitalism creates
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
- Posts: 3183
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am
- Location: Bucyrus, Ohio
Re: Carver tube amp
It’s a great amp. Lots of tubey goodness.
ray
ray
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Re: Carver tube amp
I have a pair of these and they really dig deep with bass output, I don't know how they do it! Its not tight bass but they will get down there and as long as you don't over drive them they really are a beautiful sounding little tube amp.
I had to pay aprox $1550ea. for mine.
They respond really well to tube rolling.
I had to pay aprox $1550ea. for mine.
They respond really well to tube rolling.
TFM-75 serial #0001
PT-2400 serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0002
Cherry/260wpc Mono Blocks
Lightstar Reference
Sunfire Series II 625x2
Carver 490t
OPPO-103
Lucas Labs CF-14
Sunfire Tube pre
DENON DP-62L TT
DUAL CS 5000 TT
DQ-20's
Tesla CF-15 speakers
Douglas Cables
OK ERIC, LET GO OF THE MOUSE AND BACK AWAY FROM YOUR PC WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR. NOW SLOWLY LAY FACE DOWN ON THE FLOOR!!!! - Snoop65
PT-2400 serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0002
Cherry/260wpc Mono Blocks
Lightstar Reference
Sunfire Series II 625x2
Carver 490t
OPPO-103
Lucas Labs CF-14
Sunfire Tube pre
DENON DP-62L TT
DUAL CS 5000 TT
DQ-20's
Tesla CF-15 speakers
Douglas Cables
OK ERIC, LET GO OF THE MOUSE AND BACK AWAY FROM YOUR PC WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR. NOW SLOWLY LAY FACE DOWN ON THE FLOOR!!!! - Snoop65
- Ben D. Rinkin
- Newbie 50+
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Re: Carver tube amp
On closer scrutiny....in the two seperate ads on eBay, the pics are in different positions, but the first picture in each shows the amps on the same rug, just different locations.
As I'd noticed originally, neither was cleaned prior to photos, same amount of dirt on both.
Being listed by different names, both in Brooklyn NY.
Clearly two different serial numbers shown.
So why being sold be two different eBay users? Fishy or just weird folks?
BDR
As I'd noticed originally, neither was cleaned prior to photos, same amount of dirt on both.
Being listed by different names, both in Brooklyn NY.
Clearly two different serial numbers shown.
So why being sold be two different eBay users? Fishy or just weird folks?
BDR
Socialism takes and Capitalism creates
Re: Carver tube amp
I have a personal rule of thumb. Never buy from anyone with less than 100% feedback.
Also send them a message and ask a bunch of legit questions. If they are vague with answers move on....
Also send them a message and ask a bunch of legit questions. If they are vague with answers move on....
TFM-75 serial #0001
PT-2400 serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0002
Cherry/260wpc Mono Blocks
Lightstar Reference
Sunfire Series II 625x2
Carver 490t
OPPO-103
Lucas Labs CF-14
Sunfire Tube pre
DENON DP-62L TT
DUAL CS 5000 TT
DQ-20's
Tesla CF-15 speakers
Douglas Cables
OK ERIC, LET GO OF THE MOUSE AND BACK AWAY FROM YOUR PC WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR. NOW SLOWLY LAY FACE DOWN ON THE FLOOR!!!! - Snoop65
PT-2400 serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0001
Baby Black Magic serial #0002
Cherry/260wpc Mono Blocks
Lightstar Reference
Sunfire Series II 625x2
Carver 490t
OPPO-103
Lucas Labs CF-14
Sunfire Tube pre
DENON DP-62L TT
DUAL CS 5000 TT
DQ-20's
Tesla CF-15 speakers
Douglas Cables
OK ERIC, LET GO OF THE MOUSE AND BACK AWAY FROM YOUR PC WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR. NOW SLOWLY LAY FACE DOWN ON THE FLOOR!!!! - Snoop65
Re: Carver tube amp
The two amps are different S/N's, so I don't think it's a scam. Maybe a husband/wife. Sometimes eBay gives listing discounts for volume sellers.
- Ben D. Rinkin
- Newbie 50+
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Re: Carver tube amp
...and the two seperate listings have become one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-carver-two ... SwiJZcVfTX
Now listed together, photo'd together. Less dust included in the price, which has dropped a $100. One less Benjamin still doesn't make them any more affordable for this Benjamin though unfortunately.
BDR
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-carver-two ... SwiJZcVfTX
Now listed together, photo'd together. Less dust included in the price, which has dropped a $100. One less Benjamin still doesn't make them any more affordable for this Benjamin though unfortunately.
BDR
Socialism takes and Capitalism creates
Re: Carver tube amp
For that price you could just buy one of Carver's newest amps at 75wpc:Ben D. Rinkin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:24 am...and the two seperate listings have become one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-carver-two ... SwiJZcVfTX
Now listed together, photo'd together. Less dust included in the price, which has dropped a $100. One less Benjamin still doesn't make them any more affordable for this Benjamin though unfortunately.
BDR
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9b ... tubes-tube
Anyone compare the new amp to the older VTA-20 or Carverfest amp?
Oppo Sonica DAC
Sunfire TG-IV
Sunfire 325x2
Customized Klipsch RF-5's
Coming soon: Carverfest 20 watt Amp
Sunfire TG-IV
Sunfire 325x2
Customized Klipsch RF-5's
Coming soon: Carverfest 20 watt Amp
- kingman
- (pair of) SILVER-7 TUBE AMPs
- Posts: 6468
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:10 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Carver tube amp
Don has and maybe he'll chime in.jjptkd wrote: ↑Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:28 amFor that price you could just buy one of Carver's newest amps at 75wpc:Ben D. Rinkin wrote: ↑Sun Feb 03, 2019 6:24 am...and the two seperate listings have become one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bob-carver-two ... SwiJZcVfTX
Now listed together, photo'd together. Less dust included in the price, which has dropped a $100. One less Benjamin still doesn't make them any more affordable for this Benjamin though unfortunately.
BDR
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9b ... tubes-tube
Anyone compare the new amp to the older VTA-20 or Carverfest amp?
In reality, it only matters what it sounds like to YOU!!!
Re: Carver tube amp
That is on my to do list.
Got side tracked re-doing some wiring in the HTR. Then chasing a hum in the HTR sub. Then playing with the little CF speakers in HTR. Then, etc., etc.,
Will get to it in the near future though. The little CF tube amp was very impressive on my very efficient Dunlavy 4A's. As long as I kept it at sane levels, I would have to say I preferred it over my Sunfire on the Dunlavy's. The midrange is as smoooooth as a baby's butt. A little better separation of instruments with a tad more width and depth on the CF tube amp in my particular setup. Preferred the little tube amp on my Legacy Whisper XD's also. Similar results with those very efficient speakers. However, at 20 watts a channel, it has to paired with the right speakers. Been months since I brought it downstairs though and inserted in HTR system. As I recall, the only area I preferred the Sunfire was in the bass, which was a little tighter.
Last month or so, have been enjoying the CF 275 which I also prefer to the Sunfire on the Dunlavy's. Similar attributes as I recall to the little CF 20 Watt amp. In another couple of weeks, will bring the CF 20 watt back to HTR to compare now that I am getting acclimated to the CF 275's sound signature.
It will a most interesting comparison, CF 20 watt tube amp vs CF 275 tube amp, instead of tube vs transistor.

Will get to it in the near future though. The little CF tube amp was very impressive on my very efficient Dunlavy 4A's. As long as I kept it at sane levels, I would have to say I preferred it over my Sunfire on the Dunlavy's. The midrange is as smoooooth as a baby's butt. A little better separation of instruments with a tad more width and depth on the CF tube amp in my particular setup. Preferred the little tube amp on my Legacy Whisper XD's also. Similar results with those very efficient speakers. However, at 20 watts a channel, it has to paired with the right speakers. Been months since I brought it downstairs though and inserted in HTR system. As I recall, the only area I preferred the Sunfire was in the bass, which was a little tighter.
Last month or so, have been enjoying the CF 275 which I also prefer to the Sunfire on the Dunlavy's. Similar attributes as I recall to the little CF 20 Watt amp. In another couple of weeks, will bring the CF 20 watt back to HTR to compare now that I am getting acclimated to the CF 275's sound signature.
It will a most interesting comparison, CF 20 watt tube amp vs CF 275 tube amp, instead of tube vs transistor.
To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.
— Thomas Paine
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of value" Albert Einstein
"Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them". Charlie Reese
"The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living." Brad Shurett
"Kindness is a language that the Deaf can hear and the Blind can see." Mark Twain
"Your integrity will always be remembered longer than your prosperity."
RIP BILL D. RIP WRABBIT
— Thomas Paine
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of value" Albert Einstein
"Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them". Charlie Reese
"The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living." Brad Shurett
"Kindness is a language that the Deaf can hear and the Blind can see." Mark Twain
"Your integrity will always be remembered longer than your prosperity."
RIP BILL D. RIP WRABBIT
- Ben D. Rinkin
- Newbie 50+
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:02 pm
Re: Carver tube amp
There is some attractive qualities to the little EL-84's versus big tubes.
First of all, for the working man is obviously the price of the little guys versus any of the bigger tubes. But in the chances I've had to listen, those little guys have some kind of dynamic, hot sounding character that's just plain fun.
The caution about running with the right speakers for their power though is for sure a very appropriate thing to pay attention to.
BDR
First of all, for the working man is obviously the price of the little guys versus any of the bigger tubes. But in the chances I've had to listen, those little guys have some kind of dynamic, hot sounding character that's just plain fun.
The caution about running with the right speakers for their power though is for sure a very appropriate thing to pay attention to.
BDR
Socialism takes and Capitalism creates