Carver tube amp

[Ben D. Rinkin]

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

[UncleMeat]

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

[Ben D. Rinkin]

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
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[Magnaryder]

It’s a great amp. Lots of tubey goodness.

ray

[MRHP]

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.

[Ben D. Rinkin]

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

[MRHP]

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....

[UncleMeat]

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]

...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

[jjptkd]

...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

For that price you could just buy one of Carver's newest amps at 75wpc:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9b ... tubes-tube

Anyone compare the new amp to the older VTA-20 or Carverfest amp?

[kingman]

...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

For that price you could just buy one of Carver's newest amps at 75wpc:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9b ... tubes-tube

Anyone compare the new amp to the older VTA-20 or Carverfest amp?

Don has and maybe he'll chime in.

[Don]

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.

[Ben D. Rinkin]

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