Jump to content

Carver C-1 Pre-amp issues


Recommended Posts

Really glad to have discovered this forum!  I purchased the entire suite of Carver products in the early 1980's and have enjoyed many hours of use from them.  About 10 years ago, my C-1 pre-amp started to "act up."  When I increased/decreased the volume, a rather loud crackle sound was emitted from my speakers.  This has gotten so bad that I have not used the unit in a decade and it has been in storage.  I was always afraid that my speakers would be damaged by continued use.  The noise is LOUD! 
I would really like to get the unit repaired.  Any clue what is causing it, or a place to take it in the Chicagoland area?  Also, I am looking for a replacement knob on the front panel (my infant son tore it off many years ago and I have been using pliers to change from one input to another).
Many thanks for helping a newbie. 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome! 
Sorry about your C-1 troubles. Sounds like dirty or damaged volume potentiometer. Member AR9Jim isn't far from Chicago. He's doing repairs. Contact him, or we can get him to contact you. 
  • Thank You 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites



I'll be near Chicago on Thursday. I have a knob as well. Pm sent.

 

Wow, two Jim's together. Watch out for Time-Space continuum ruptures. face20.gif 

 

Welcome to CS,  nwinjim 


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey welcome to the CarverSite nwinjim!

 

Great to have you on board.

Would love to hear more about your audio journey.

We love all things audio (& video) here. Post pics if you can. ...and please stay awhile.

 

Btw, hopefully a can of deoxit will fix your noisy C-1 volume knob.

 

Thank you again for posting!

  • Thank You 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Community Admin
Welcome !  You are on a good path.  Stay a while, and share some experiences.  
 
I've owned much of the product line, like you.  What did you like the best?  What else is in your current setup?  Pics are important, too.
 
(I'm in the Chicago area too.) 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the forum! , please tell us about the rest of your equipment, What kind of music do you enjoy? The techs here are fabulous, kick off your shoes , grab a beverage of your choice, turn up the volume and hang around a while!

 

As always turn up the volume, let the neighbors 'Feel the Groove!'

 

BarryG

  • Thank You 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many thanks to all those who have responded both privately and publicly.  The multiple suggestions to purchase a can of Deoxit and use it to clean affected areas will be heeded SOON.  There seems to be a universal consensus that this is most likely the problem.  If this does not work, then my fallback will be to have it repaired by Jim in Rockford.  
I purchased my Carver components in 1981 (35 years ago), when I obtained my first "real good job" as a young man. There was a small boutique audio business nearby affiliated with Valparaiso University, Audio Junction (closed many years ago), where I learned about the Carver brand, as well as many others.  I treated myself with a purchase of a top line Bang and Olufsen turntable, and Carver C-1 pre-amp, Carver TX-11 tuner and Carver M1.5-t amplifier.  As a young man, I was totally smitten with sonic holography and Bob Carver's ingenuity.  I'm really glad to have found this site, and looking forward to re-kindling my relationship with Carver.    
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to CS Jim. Glad you found us. Many of us have similar experiences to yours and can relate entirely.. If the cleaning doesn't resolve the issue or if you want to recap or upgrade your C1 or amp, I can help you.. Because we are both near Chicago I can give you loaner gear to use so you can keep the music going during repairs..This could be a chance to sample other Carver gear as well.. Regardless, we got you covered and your gear will sing again..

  • Thank You 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Howdy nwinjim and welcome to the forum. Nice to have you on board. Hope you stick around and contribute.
 
We love audio gear porn so please post photos of your gear when you get a chance. emsmilep.gif
 
I too was introduced to Carver products in the early 80's by a local store (Stereo Studio in Villa Park, IL).
I got to know the owner well and eventually worked for him doing commercial audio system installations.
This was my system circa 1988:
20170118063727918.jpg 
  • Thank You 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

   Just this morning, I was looking at replacement potentiometers for the C1 if one was ever needed. There are many to choose from that are of great quality, so if it comes to that, there is little to replacing one of these in your unit.

  • Thank You 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Knob sent..

Hey LT,

Charlie sent a bag of extra C2 knobs along with the karma preamps he was so kind to offer.. With your permission I will sent a knob to Jim. They are not a perfect match but fit well and could be painted black, no charge to him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Howdy nwinjim and welcome to the forum. Nice to have you on board. Hope you stick around and contribute.
 
We love audio gear porn so please post photos of your gear when you get a chance. emsmilep.gif
 
I too was introduced to Carver products in the early 80's by a local store (Stereo Studio in Villa Park, IL).
I got to know the owner well and eventually worked for him doing commercial audio system installations.
This was my system circa 1988:
20170118063727918.jpg 
I use to love to go to Stereo Studio in Villa Park.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

 

Howdy nwinjim and welcome to the forum. Nice to have you on board. Hope you stick around and contribute.
 
We love audio gear porn so please post photos of your gear when you get a chance. emsmilep.gif
 
I too was introduced to Carver products in the early 80's by a local store (Stereo Studio in Villa Park, IL).
I got to know the owner well and eventually worked for him doing commercial audio system installations.
This was my system circa 1988:
20170118063727918.jpg 
I use to love to go to Stereo Studio in Villa Park.

 
It's a small world eh. 
 
By the way, according to this receipt it was actually in Hoffman Estates. I believe they had a 2nd store in Palatine.
 
20160726084700697.jpg 
Link to comment
Share on other sites



Hey LT,
Charlie sent a bag of extra C2 knobs along with the karma preamps he was so kind to offer.. With your permission I will sent a knob to Jim. They are not a perfect match but fit well and could be painted black, no charge to him.
 
As long as NWinJim has tunes, it is all good. Thanks, Charlie for your generosity.Applause
 
The more Carvers in play, the happier the world is.   Dancing

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man am I glad I found this site.  I was up late last night working like a mad man on getting my system restored.  Found a can of Deoxtit 5 at a nearby Radio Shack (yep, they still have a few left), and went to work.  Long story short: Bingo!  I quickly realized that I needed to spend some time re-wiring and re-configuring my set-up, and by 1:00 a.m., it was all systems go.  My wife thinks I am a nut (she doesn't get "it"), but the system sounds great.  Looking forward to many more years of sweet listening.
Because my system is situated in a basement, my only concern at this point is my tuner reception is week.  Anyone have a recommendation on a good antennae to enhance reception in a basement (my tuner is a Carver, of course, TX-11). 
Thanks to all who have assisted, especially Jim in Rockford, who has received my emails and texts graciously.   
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

Man am I glad I found this site.  I was up late last night working like a mad man on getting my system restored.  Found a can of Deoxtit 5 at a nearby Radio Shack (yep, they still have a few left), and went to work.  Long story short: Bingo!  I quickly realized that I needed to spend some time re-wiring and re-configuring my set-up, and by 1:00 a.m., it was all systems go.  My wife thinks I am a nut (she doesn't get "it"), but the system sounds great.  Looking forward to many more years of sweet listening.
Because my system is situated in a basement, my only concern at this point is my tuner reception is week.  Anyone have a recommendation on a good antennae to enhance reception in a basement (my tuner is a Carver, of course, TX-11). 
Thanks to all who have assisted, especially Jim in Rockford, who has received my emails and texts graciously.   
 
You really need to get something up higher. Can you use a roof or wall to mount an antenna outdoors or even in an attic? 
The Copper Cactus is an excellent outdoor antenna. HERE 
  • Thank You 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly KVE,
 
   I have the same issue, and understand that there is much more to be gained from the attic arrangement. If you do go that far, I think there should be a medal given for it. We all have the same feeling about having to work in the attic. 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
Slow and steady wins the race. No such thing as stupid questions. 
 
Welcome to my favorite website to do with everything audio and then some Cool
You would think that Vinyl Engine would be better at answering vinyl related questions but I'm a member of both sites and TheCarverSite has been far more helpful to me and these people will answer quickly compared to V.E. 
 
You will be surprised at what you can accomplish with some research and help from the people here.
 
Don't sell yourself short. Four years ago I would have never thought I could repair CD players or up-grade a hafler DH-500 amp with new RCA inputs and new speaker binding posts.
 
I know my limits but you can't grow unless you get out of your comfort zone and try things you didn't think you could do. Now I'm not saying to dig in and try too much at the same time, but learning new things is what this site is all about. That and helping out other audio nuts. 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...