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Rank: TO-18 Member
Groups: Member, Search Party
Joined: 1/19/2009(UTC) Posts: 336 Location: North Carolina Was thanked: 17 time(s) in 16 post(s)
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Bob sold yet another pair of his now famous tube monoblocks, this time they are said to be his prototypes with his own self-wound transformers in place of the vintage iron. Again, the newly wound transformers output power is bumped from 180 watts to 240 watts at 8R. Stunningly, these amps sold for just $5655.55 on June 19, 2010; a price near the bottom end of all the tube amps so far. This is the Q&A section direct from the eBay pages preserved here. As always due to the way eBay sets up the page you must start at the bottom of the post and read upwards for chronological order. This Q&A is split into 2 posts. | Q: | I have often read that an Ultra linear output tube connectin is best for class AB amps. Yur amps are not Ultra linear, what is your opinion on this and what is the difference? Thanks for your time, Tim | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi 't42, Long ago when I first started desinging tube amps I read the same literature promoting this same idea. However, an important series of converging experiments taught me that an Ultra-Linear output stage was not the best approach. I discussed this with the best and smartest tube amplifier designers in the industry. Each person felt that using an output stage with a regulated screen supply voltage yielded the very finest results. My conversation with Stu Hegeman (so long ago I was just a baby inventor), the designer of the Harmon Kardon Citation amplifiers, confirmed my experimental results. He explained that when using an ultra-linear tap for the screen grids during full signal drive, the screen voltage is unavoidably pushed so low that the maximum output current suffers substantially. Stu Hegeman, a genius, was right! I hope this helps if I haven't put you to sleep with my answer. Good luck, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello, Mr.Carver, I am very interested in these amplifiers. I'm primarily a two channel person and own a pair of Infinity Betas, the original units with a separate external amplifier. These speakers are difficult to drive. Will your amplifier be able to drive them so that I can listen to them at loud but realistic sounds? Thank you for your time, Andrew. | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi Andrew, The Infinity Betas are truly great sounding speakers, albeit somewhat difficult to drive. Fortunately they have a separate, dedicated amplifier for the woofers. This allows all of the power from the main driving amplifier to be used more effectively because it doesn't have to operate the woofers. That being the case, this tube amplifier can deliver as much power as anyone could rationally use or need into your Betas. Except for truly crazy audiophiles like me. Just kidding. Great question, thanks for joining my auction, Bob Carver. | | Q: | Hey Bob, cool amps! i intent to win and have these set up in my house by my wife's birthday! She's a long time fan of yours. My question is can you autograph it saying "to my loving wife, Happy Birthday always"? Thanks, Gary | Jun-12-10 | | A: | Hi Gary, I'm glad you want to give your wife a nice birthday present. I'm honored, but I have to ask is this similar to a young boy buying his mother a football for Mother's Day? I'm just happy she's a true audiophile. The answer is a resounding YES of course I can autograph anything you wish! Warmest regards Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, those are some beautiful amps, and works of art! If I win the bid, can you put on an IEC type plug so that I could use my own line cord? Thanks,L8tr. | Jun-12-10 | | A: | Hi L8tr, ummmmm, I think that means Later, right? Anyway, the simple answer to your question is NO. Here's why; first of all the hole in the chassis will not accomadate it unless we hand file a larger hole which has to be square and might chip the paint. The scientific reason is that I do not believe in IEC chords. The connections are designed to be universal and they come loose too often. I speak from first hand experience, and besides I get better sound from these amps by using a vintage hard-wired AC line connection. Good question, thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, Were you a little hesitant to sell your prototype? Just think one of a kind, A classic to say the least, there has never been a pair of amps like these before nor will there ever be another like this pair again? To me it most likely be like giving up and old friend, however, it is great of you to give some blessed person or persons the opportunity to have and hold, (not literally, much too heavy), for fifty year or more. Did you put your all in the building of these guys? best of the best? How long were they in the making? Just curious as to your plans for the original output transformers that you had used in them, you say you are using two of your latest masterpieces in them now, Might the the destiny of the originals be in The Bob Carver Museum? That brings me up to my last question, will the museum be in the "Old Sunfire Building"? I have been wondering about that. Thanks for allowing my twenty questions. "jay" | Jun-12-10 | | A: | Hi Jay, Wow! Here goes, in no particular order: I have indeed put my all into these amps; I've been designing them in my head since 1986, about 24 years. Still, and just the same, I am not at all hesitant about selling my protypes as I think they can be a powerful force for good by making music for the world to hear. The output transformers that were originally in them were robbed long ago in order to build these current amps, so their ultimate destiny cannot be my museum. Not to worry, I did save one transformer for the museum. I am not sure where the museum is going to be. The old Sunfire building is way too big for my modest vintage audio museum. Whew! I hope I answered all 20 questions. Thanks for the great questions, Bob Carver. | | Q: | Bob- you are the man!! I have never enjoyed reading the "Ask a question" as I have here. Off Subject, I am a big fan, have been since the 70s. My question: will my M 0.5t sufficently push my recently acquired ALS-IIIs. These are beautiful speakers. Good luck with these amps but I am hopelessly trapped in the past. Walt | Jun-11-10 | | A: | Hi'nic, I am glad to find another soul lost in the past. Since I was old when Atlantis sank, I too am hopelessly trapped in the past. As for the M-0.5t, from a sound quality point of view it will work great. As for having enough power to drive the speakers to a satisfying loudness level, you must determine that for yourself; if you are passionate and crazy (like me)after all these years and want to have Beethoven proud, especially when we turn on the opening chords of Ode to Joy, you MAY have to get more power. Your choice. No right or wrong answer here. Good question. Thanks for asking and for joining my auction, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi, Will a bank or money order work for payment if I win? Thanks Bert | Jun-11-10 | | A: | Hi'63, With a name like that you sound like a special agent! A bank or money order will absolutely work for payment. Bob's my name, amps are my game, and I accept any rational form of payment, send all you've got. Just kidding. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | No question for you just a link for you. Carver Amazing LoudSpeaker Original Platinum Edition http://chicago.craigslis.../chc/ele/1785459378.html | Jun-11-10 | | A: | Hi '154, Wow!! That is really cool. I will look at it this afternoon. Regards, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr. Carver, I own a Margules amplifier, and I like how it sounds and its autobias feature. I imagine that your amplifiers are way ahead of mine in terms of power output and quality sound, but I have two questions: does your amplifiers are autobias, or I need perfect matched tubes? does your amps can be work in triode mode or only ultralinear?. For your attention, thank you very much. | Jun-11-10 | | A: | Hello '77, Wow if you had another number you would sound like an Boeing airplane. No, these amps do not require matched tubes, as the DC restorer eliminates the need. These amps operate in pure pentode mode, with each tube having a separate voltage supply for its screen, yielding the very best sound. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hey Bob, your knowledge of audio is amazing and your attitude with which you answer folk’s questions, with such gitty zeal, is funny and rewarding. I can’t afford these amps at this juncture in life, but I do own a “tube-like” amp; I own a Sunfire. Thinking of getting another one, used, but was wondering what your thoughts were on Hor. and Ver. bi-amping? I keep hearing Ver. is the way to go and I gather I’ll try both when I get the other amplifier, but still desired your feedback on the subject. | Jun-11-10 | | A: | Hi'310, I like your thoughts about my amazing audio knowledge and attitude - you're making my day! More please!! I'm taking a bow, but must be careful not to hurt my back. Most speakers were designed by their designers to be operated from a single full range source. My preference is to honor the designers intent, therefore I prefer and believe the best sound is had by wiring the high frequency drivers and low frequency drivers to the same source, using a separate set of wires for each. An alternate way of doing this, provided we have a tube amp and a transitor amp, it may work best if the high frequency drivers are wired to the tube amp and the base drivers are wired to the transitor amp. Your choice based on careful listening. Thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr. Carver. I own Apogee Scintilla loudspeakers. I am interested in your amplifiers and love the sound of vacuum tubes. Every tube amplifier that i have tried with these speakers has been unable to drive them to an adequate volume level without distortion. Can you reassure me that these will work and, if so, how do they do it? Thanks. | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi '113, Driving the Apogees is a matter of raw power as their impedance is about one ohm and their sensitivity is only about 72 dB SPL referred to one watt @ eight ohms. Pretty abysmal. But so what? They are among the most fantastic sounding speakers of all time. I remember first hearing them years ago, and knew I was in the presence of greatness! They were clearly designed by a person who loved music and wanted his speakers to sound as good as he knew how. And never mind the impedance or the sensitivity! He was a true artist, and that approach took courage because they were impossible to drive by normal amplifiers, and that fact alone limited his market tremendously. He was truly courageous. This amplifier has six powerful KT88 output tubes, and can easily deliver 27 peak amperes into a one ohm Apogee load. That's a peak power of over 700 watts! Not only that, but I own a pair of Apogees and have spent countless hours with this amp, together with the Apogees optimizing the whole system. I speak from first hand experience - fear not, these amps will drive your Apogees with aplomb. Good question, hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | Would you ship to Hong Kong? I will pay by PayPal. What is the shipping cost? | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi 'trad, Yes I will happily ship to Hong Kong, and the cost is about $185 dollars each, or $370 for both. PayPal is good. Thanks for joining in, Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob: I notice you have said that these amps are the original prototypes after your (apparently) eventful meeting with Tim de Paravicini. However, you have sold other amplifiers here in the recent past. How do they differ from one another? Thanks a lot! Chris | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi Chris, I just knew someone would ask this! The only difference is the output power because of my new output transformers. They sound the same except for that. Cosmetic differences are a change from bright bottom screws to shiny black ones, a shorter roll-bar for the tubes, and the chassis is infinitesimally (3/16 inch) longer to better allow the small tubes and volume control to fit. That's it. Great question, and thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi, Bob. Apparently some would-be scammers have grabbed hold of your items during some of the past auctions and have tried to rip off honest bidders using your pictures and description. To separate the REAL Bob Carver from the scammers, what's your dog's name? Thanks! | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi 'qn, It is frustrating to see this happen - eBay has tried hard to keep the scammers shut down, and have pulled those schemers off line as soon as they (eBay) knew about it. Please do not send them any money, no matter what they promise, as you will almost certainly lose it all! They are easy to identify, at least on eBay, as they will not answer any QUESTIONS through eBay, even though they let you send MONEY. My dog's name is Zeus. Bid without fear, Bob Carver | | Q: | How can the tubes last for 50 years when most manufacturers recommend changing the tubes in their amps in 3 or so years? Dave | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi Dave, That is a very good question! The answer is the DC restorer. Here's how. Most amps idle the output tubes at an average of 32 watts or so. Now the DC restorer allows the tubes to idle at about 9.75 watts. Since tube longevity is roughly proportional to power of the plate dissipation raised to the 2.3 power, we have 32 divided by 9.75 raised to the power of 2.3 = 15.4. Finally, 15.4 X 3 years = 46 years. I have also noticed that many console amplifiers have 50 year old tubes right here on eBay, and those tubes check out great. Great question, hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | We live in Germany. I love your amplifiers. My father has been a fan of yours for many years. His birthday is next month. How much would it cost to send these amplifiers to Munich? Danke! Detlef | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi Detlef, I can't sing happy birthday in German, but I wish your father a happy birthday sung in English. To the tune of Clair de Lune....Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, - I could go on and on. All the way to Munich, Germany is about $240 dollars each, plus or minus. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob. Beautiful amplifiers. I doubt that I'll have the coin to win, but I do have a question: How do you get so much power from such a small amplifier? Am I missing something? Thanks. | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi 'tss, Thank you, I think they are beautiful too. I spent a lot of time getting the color just right. I tried espresso brown, bright red, several other colors, and finally metallic burgundy cherry red. I liked that the best. As for the power, it was pretty easy actually - all we did was use a lot of output tubes, a transformer turns ratio of about 17:1, a robust high voltage power supply, and the vintage Silver Eagle KT88 easily did the rest. And it's NOT so small-each one weighs almost 45 lbs! Good question, thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | Do you ship to Italy? How much cost? | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi 'anb, Yes indeed I do ship to Italy. I can do that because airplanes and ships and trucks arrive in Rome every day. No problem, and the cost is approximately $210 dollars per amplifier. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | If you were to send me a dummie case, that is no transformers parts inside, just the finished case with tubes, I'd be glad to photograph it for you professionally for free and return it. Check me out at StudioNOVAimages dot com. Great amps by the way. Best Regards, Tony Nova | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi Tony, I can't sing, I can't play baseball, I can't dance and I surely cannot handle a camera well. I can design amps though. You are ON! Thank you for your offer - I will send you a case soon after this auction is over. Thank you thank you! Bob Carver bob.sunfire@gmail.com | | Q: | Hi how much do they sell for If a guy whated to just buy him self a set and skip the biding part of ebay ? | Jun-09-10 | | A: | Hi '008, Ummm, good question, let's see, there is paint, the chassis, the vintage tubes, covers and tube sockets, plus line cords and lots and lots of time. It takes me a full day just to wind a pair output transformers - it's a good thing I enjoy building amps so much! I cannot say, how about making me an offer we can't refuse. Seriously. As for this auction, it must run its course. Thanks for writing and joining in, Bob Carver |
Carver tube monos
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver
M500
M500t
C-9
C-16
AV-634 (2)
TD-1400
TD-1440
Carver Amazing Platinum upgraded Originals
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Rank: TO-18 Member
Groups: Member, Search Party
Joined: 1/19/2009(UTC) Posts: 336 Location: North Carolina Was thanked: 17 time(s) in 16 post(s)
Gave Thanks: 3 times
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| Q: | Hey Mr. Carver---how do you have such a nice finish on the first amps? They look so nice and new. Thanks | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi 'k67, New finish. Fresh paint, new champagne escutcheons on the front and new champagne trim medallions on the transformer covers. There are some minor paint imperfections and some build-up around some of the small screws, but they are not visible to the naked eye at one foot. Or when riding past on a horse at a slow trot. Good question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Dear Bob, I was wondering, after all the years of designing SS amps, you have an affinity for tubed amps, to say the least! When did you realize that you wanted to use tubes? I was also wondering if your Sonic Hologram Generator, which I've been using for 30 years, will work with your Amazings, or even your HTS series? I have a dedicated room made especially for holography, and I prefer it over multi-channel systems! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! Tony. | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi Tony, Wow! You have a room made for holography? That is so special. Really. As for tube amps, I actually grew up with them - they were my first amp designs, with my solid state designs coming along sometime later with my first amp, the Phase linear 700. Tube amps have always been a true love, and I consummated that love with my Silver Seven vacuum tube amplifier during my Carver days. And yes, Sonic Holography will work beautifully with the Amazings or HTS series. It's important that early reflections be minimized in the setup however. All this is outlined in the manual, and is no different from the setup required for the best conventional stereo presentation. Minimizing early room reflections allows our ear-brain system to do its job and build a sense of three-dimensionality in our minds. We can then use the time cues inherent in the recording, and our brain does the rest, building that large, believable three dimensional space in our minds. Very realistic and enjoyable. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob - beautiful amps...but why did you use that cheesy Radio Shack volume knob? Some sort of yin and yang thing? Ha ha. On a different subject, I have your old M400 cube amp, and it's failed on me once again. Who do you recommend for repairs? -MarkS. | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi Mark, I used it because I think it's a beautiful knob. It's shiny polished aluminum, is machined as true as they come, has a perfect-fit center hole without run-out, a steel threaded set-screw, and finally, very nice knurls that ring its outer circumference allowing easy rotation. CHEESY?!?! No way! It's the perfect knob! Who do I recommend for repairs? Me. Send it to Bob, c/o Rita's Vintage Audio Repair. Rita and I will fix it right up - we'll even update it using extra big SOA (safe operating area) output transistors; hopefully it will never fail again. Thanks,Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob, Ive always enjoyed youre amps as theyve always been a great value.The M 400 cube was very powerful.I wanted to ask if you remember the Spectro Acoustics 200SR amp and what you thought of the design.I always wondered why no other manufacturers put large meters on theyr amps as well.Thanks for youre time | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi 'ales, I do indeed remember the Spectro Acoustics amp - It was designed and built by two talented and passionate guys who worked for me at Phase Linear long ago. They struck out on their own and founded Spectro Acoustics after learning their craft right here in Lynnwood WA. As for meters, I seem to remember that Phase Linear, Marantz, McIntosh and S.A.E. were about the only ones using large meters - okay - maybe they weren't THAT large! Thanks for the fun trip down memory lane, Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob, First of all, thanks for your wonderful contributions to the world of audio! I have enjoyed music provided via a TFM-30/CT-3 combo for many years. Quick question: Why are there few tubed amplifiers which incorporate a switch-mode power supply? Seems with the correct filtering and whatnot the DC would be DC akin to that of the analog flavor. Anyhow, Best regards, A6EMech. | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi 'mech, I don't know. There certainly is no scientific or sound quality reason that I can think of. Perhaps it's just that mixing vintage tube circuits with contemporary digital switching circuits is too unsatisfying from an emotional or pure intellectual perspective. I'm pretty sure that's the reason! Bob Carver | | Q: | Very nice amplifiers! In your listing you discuss input and drive circuits and topologies. I have designed and built an amplifier that uses a JFET differential input stage direct coupled to a 6SU7 long tailed pair (surrent source biased) that has a 6SN7GTB follower. It will swing +/- 250 volts with a THD less than 1% and an IMD of less than 0.1%. It sounds great too. Actually anyone that has auditioned it is amazed. If you have any interest in seeing my circuit, please contact me at tomdooling@charter.net. I'm not selling anything, I'd welcome the opinion of the master. Thanks! | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi 'mby, I would love to see your circuit - the more circuits I can study in my life, the smarter I'll become, and it sounds as if your circuit is something to be extremely proud of. There is no doubt that a long tailed pair, current source biased, is definitely one of the best there is. Keep on building and designing! Precious few endeavors are as fun and as rewarding. That's for certain. Thanks for sharing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Thanks for the advice to Horizontally bi-amp the Infinity IRS Betas when I get my 2nd Sunfire Signature. Before asking you I only came across one or two of readings that specifically addressed Planar speakers and their thoughts were that Hor. bi-amping was a better way of running them vs. Ver. The Sunfire Sig. I’m running now with the Betas is the 5 ch. model and I have the Mids & Tweets on the Current output and the Bass on the Voltage output. They mate perfectly. That Current option is just the best. You are Bleeping Brilliant. I read that Arnold Nudell designed the Betas Mid/Tweeter column exclusively with tube gear, I’m sure you probably already know that, but I believe that is a major reason your Current outputs mesh so well with the Betas. Now to my question – IF I were to bid, it would be on a future pair of your amps because I’m not financially ready at this point, could I buy 2 sets, meaning 4 amps.? I would be willing to pay the identical winning bid price for the 2nd set | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi again '310, Great! You are right about Arnie, he did design them with tube amps in mind - I had many discussions with him about loudspeaker interfaces with vacuum tube amps - and I learned an enormous amount from him. Arnie is one of the great speaker designers of our time. As for your last question - yes, and yes. Happy bidding and lots of good luck, Bob Carver. | | Q: | I was 18 in 1985 when I went to work for for the local HI FI shop. I had been going there with My uncle since I was 10. I loved all the equipment, the lights, meters, The smell and of course the sound. I remember after working there for a short while I was told we were taking on a new line of high end gear, it was Carver. I remember coming in a few days later to see several customers, salesmen and My boss standing around a display of Dalquist DQ 9s that were just the day before powered by a huge Yamaha amp and pre amp. As I approached I saw this little gray box with two little LEDs. My boss said check this out. as he cued up the music I remember thinking "aint no way this little thing will drive these DQs like that Yamaha" Wrong!!! I could not belive my ears. over the next few days I listened and was amazed. from that point on I was hooked. I ran two M400t original advents from 19-28.as Money allowed from 29to43 I have 2 1.0T/Polk 1.2tl Bi amped. Just wanted to say Thanks. good job. | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi' togo, Hearing about your adventures of long ago makes me smile! It's fun for me know that my amp generated such surprise and astonishment - actually I could hardly believe it myself! Thanks, and thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Dear Mr. Carver, I found the last question and your answer about bi-amping with a combination of tube [high end] and solid state [low end] amplification to be very illuminating. As a solid state devotee for the past two decades--mainly Carver you will be pleased to learn but Bryston too!-- I feel re-assured by your statement that tube amplification does not necessarily deliver a superior audio experience. Am I going too far with this statement? I always warmed to the idea, in a tube-like way, that Carver "TFM" was a real technology, that solid state amps could deliver the warmth of tubes and then some. Don't get me wrong, I would dearly love to collect a pair of Reference Silver Seven Tube amps (as you will likely be aware, a pair recently sold on eBay for a shade under $19k). It is refreshing to hear, however, that solid state amps should not be discounted. I agree that tube amps are super cool -- I mean warm! Best, Marc + Maria + beagles Vancouver, BC | Jun-18-10 | | A: | Hi 'oose, Absolutely! A great tube amp will sound wonderful, and a great solid state amp can sound wonderful as well. But they WILL sound different. A tube amp generally will yield a more enveloping soundstage and a greater front-to-back depth of field with tight imaging within that soundstage - a very romantic presentation. A well designed solid state amplifier will usually deliver a nice tight focus together with a greater up-front presentation. With these tube amps, a range of possibilities are possible, as the feedback switch and the bias adjustments allow the sound to be changed at will from very tube-like to almost solid state. This emerges naturally as a by-product of the DC restorer and the fact that the bias is "in the green" over a wide range of idling currents. Solid state amps are indeed not to be discounted - and thanks for your thoughtful and on the mark comments - they mean a lot to me. Warmest and best, Bob Carver. | | Q: | Bob. You sure got that "mad scientist" look on your face while winding that transformer! Thanks for sharing the pictures and your passion for audio excellence with us! John | Jun-16-10 | | A: | Hi John, You think? Now that I look at it again, I see the only things missing are bugs in my teeth from the winding machine. The camera "stopped" the spokes - they are actually a blur. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, hugh fan! In a bi-amping configuration, would you use these mono blocks the the upper or lower end? What are the pros and cons for this approach? | Jun-15-10 | | A: | Hi '111, I would use these mono blocks for the high end and a solid state amp for the low end, unless you had two sets of these amplifiers. A vacuum tube amp by its intrinsic nature will yeild better bass because its output characteristic allows the signal to follow the impedance curve of the speaker system, delivering more voltage to the system within about an octive of its resonance frequency. This usually delivers a more satisfying low-end response. However, what normally happens in the real world is that vacuum tube amplifiers lack the raw power to effectively accomplish this; typically a solid state amp is more able to deliver the power needed and therefore works better. But NOT if we have four of these very powerful tube amps. Good question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Are the 180 watts rms pentode or triode? | Jun-14-10 | | A: | Hi '4t, This is one of those simple questions with a very complex and extended answer.The answer here is pentode, but that's only the beginning of the story. Long, long ago, in the '30s and '40s the only way to build an amplifier without notch distortion was to build it class A. Many talented amplifier designers worked and worked on the this problem until at last a genius by the name of Williamson arrived and taught the world how to build a class AB output stage that was completely devoid of of notch distortion. This was late '40s - a breakthrough and the hi-fidelity industry took off. However, to work right, triodes were required which limited power efficiency - still, the leap in efficiency from class A to class AB was huge, completely overshadowing the fact that troides were not as power efficient as pentodes. Triodes were still needed to make notch distortion go away as the the art of output transformers had not yet been developed to their fullest. This was was because triodes had a characteristic known as "low output impedance" and could easily overcome the problems of leakage inductance in the output transformer. It took the genius Gordon Gow,a founder of McIntosh to teach us how to build a high efficiency class AB output stage WITHOUT notch distortion. Others followed suit at Marantz, Citation, Scott, Fisher and on and on. Today it is not difficult to build a class AB amplifier without notch distortion, thanks to the amazing pioneering work of those early guys. So - we see we went from triode class A to triode Class AB, and finally to pentode Class AB as the years trolled by. Often old ideas die hard, and to this day a false belief sometimes exists that triodes are still preferred in class A. It IS easier to design with triodes, but a superbly designed pentode stage will easily out-perform even a well designed triode stage. Any difference in sound is associated with the circuit itself, not the choice of pentode or triode. Thanks for the question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob. The Carver Carver KT88 are gorgeous mono-blocks. If only we all could have one : ). Do you plan to sell more items on ebay? Thank you for the imagination, honesty, and fun you put into audio. Best regards, John | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi 'head, Well, as I've said before, Bob's my name, and amps are my game. I could not stop building amps even if I wanted to.I hope YOU are having as much fun as I am in this arena after all these years. Thank you John for your kind words - they really do mean a lot to me. And yes, If only everyone did have one there would certainly be no more wars, sickness or sadness. Of that I am certain! Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | I seem to remember reading this story in 2008! What are your comments to this? http://newsgroups.derkei...es/2008-07/msg00075.html | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi 'infs, I could not open this. What does it say? Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob.I am Karlheinz from Germany.Yes same all , i say you are fantastic electronic inventor.I have a part and no find discription: Carver PG/2 Dual Zone Music /Paging System.If you have the time for sends informations, i say mny thanks to you from Germany Black forrest.Karlheinz | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi Karlheinz from the black forest, I used to live in Germany and I remember the park at the end of my block with BIG swings and a teeter-totter. My young German friends and I used to pretend we were in the black forest. As for the Carver system, I have the time , and I would be glad to; I'll look for the information next week when I return home, but please e-mail me late next week and remind me so I won't forget. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Mr.Carver, Wow,super nice eye candy.Can you please tell me what caps you used?Thanks, Dave | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi '62, I like eye candy too! As for capacitors they are far less interesting than fine eye candy, but here goes. I use metalized film for the interstage coupling capacitors, each sized such that low frequency loop gain and phase shift is just right for perfect sub-sonic stability. The power supply caps are HUGE - way over-kill for energy storage. They can hold so much more energy than vintage designers could ever even dream about - thanks to new capacitor science. Great question, Bob Carver. | | Q: | For some reason, the proper Ohm symbol is being changed to a "?" when I send my message. Sorry! Marc | Jun-13-10 | | A: | I got it, no worries, Bob Carver. | | Q: | Oops -- "Ω"!! Dear Mr. Carver: In addition to being a big (Bob) Carver fan, I am a big vintage KEF fan. Am I being "unwise" using a TFM-75 to drive my (immaculate) 104/2's [4Ω/200W] or 107/2's [4Ω/400W]? Do note that I am very sensible with the volume, tone and input controls (I use a Carver C- 11 or C-19 Pre-amp). Final comment, I have "less powerful" amps that I can use (e.g. Silver Seven t's, M-4.0t's) but really love the mighty "75"! Thanks for your advice and time. Sure hope I am not unwittingly cooking or otherwise abusing my beloved vintage KEF speakers. Best, Marc + Maria + beagles Vancouver, BC | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi Marc and family, Oops, it's good to see you again. Bob Carver | | Q: | Dear Mr. Carver: In addition to being a big (Bob) Carver fan, I am a big vintage KEF fan. Am I being "unwise" using a TFM-75 to drive my (immaculate) 104/2's [4Ω/200W] or 107/2's [4Ω/400W]? Do note that I am very sensible with the volume, tone and input controls (I use a Carver C- 11 or C-19 Pre-amp). Final comment, I have "less powerful" amps that I can use (e.g. Silver Seven t's, M-4.0t's) but really love the mighty "75"! Thanks for your advice and time. Sure hope I am not unwittingly cooking or otherwise abusing my beloved vintage KEF speakers. Best, Marc + Maria + beagles Vancouver, BC | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi Marc, Maria, and puppies, You are absolutely not being unwise with the TFM-75 provided of course that you use reasonable caution which you clearly are doing. The KEF speakers will let you know in no uncertain audible terms if you abuse them. Especially if you break them. Enjoy the music, play it loud, play it soft, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob Carver, I have enjoyed following you auctions this past year. I was wondering if you had ever measured the total watts being consumed by each amp, out of the wall socket, at idle? I was just curious what one of those Kill O Watt meters might read. I only have a 20 amp circuit coming into my listening room, and several things in there that I fire up when I use it. I have read where you list each KT88 tube at 42 watts at idle, and the DC restorer lowers that to 9.5 watts, but I don't know enough to know if that translates into 42 x 6, or 9.5 x 6 for each amp, or some other number. Sorry for the silly question, but old, inquiring minds are wondering? Thanks if you get time to answer, and best of luck with your "beautiful," both operational, and cosmetic, amp auctions. | Jun-13-10 | | A: | Hi 'igy, Not a silly question at all. And your math is correct, it is indeed 9.5 x 6 plus the power for the tube heaters for a grand total of about 120 watts plus or minus. Thanks for wishing me luck; you won't need luck though as your 20 amp circuit can easily deliver over 2000 watts. Hope this helps, Bob Carver |
Carver tube monos
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver
M500
M500t
C-9
C-16
AV-634 (2)
TD-1400
TD-1440
Carver Amazing Platinum upgraded Originals
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Joined: 1/19/2009(UTC) Posts: 336 Location: North Carolina Was thanked: 17 time(s) in 16 post(s)
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The latest of Bob's tube amps were auctioned today for a price of $7101.99, a price which seems much closer to the average than the wild price swings seen over the last few sold. The Q&A session was a bit more interesting as well with information coming about the amount of energy (in joules) each amp is capable of storing. Amazingly and typical for Bob, power is quite high and appears to rival even the vaunted Sunfire 300x2 and 600x2 amps. Read below to discover the truth for yourself. As always you'll have to start at the bottom of the post and read each Q&A upward to follow chronological order. I wish eBay didn't do it like that, but they do and this post is a direct transfer from the auction pages. | Question & Answer | Answered On |
| Q: | Would you be kind enough to entertain a visitor from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ? I sure would like to see and HEAR these amps. Vinyl is still me primary source of music. | Jul-07-10 | | A: | Hi 'ord, I would be delighted to. You are just over a two hour drive from my place, so bring your favorite vinyl - I have a special record cleaning machine. I'll be out of town until the middle of next week, so please e-mail me around Wednesday and we'll set a time. There are few things better or more fun. Warmest regards, Bob Carver | | Q: | …oh, and how many joules in each of these babies? | Jul-06-10 | | A: | Hi '310, For clarity, joules = energy. These amps have so much energy storage that even I feel a bit guilty of over-kill in the energy storage department. Call it conspicuous energy consumption, but at least when our planet's energy supply runs out, we'll know that (as tube amp aficionados) we will have gotten our fair share of it. Just kidding. These amps have energy storage that could only be dreamed about by vintage designers; they possess approximately 531 joules. Believe it or not! They do. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | I own a Sunfire amp and the Current Source outputs are 1 ohm (I think). Curious to what the output impedance is for your new tube amps? | Jul-06-10 | | A: | Hi '310, That is a very deep and important question - more than you might imagine. Let me explain. It is the details of the output impedance that convey so much of the musical romance we hear when listening to great amplifiers. The non-zero output impedance and its variation with frequency give rise to a large romantic and beautiful soundstage. It helps deliver deep front-to-back depth of field, together with sweet imaging within that extensive sound-field. It allows the amplifier to "listen" to what the room is doing acoustically; this room-amplifier interaction provides a sense of believable ambiance and acoustic space that is thoroughly realistic and quite enjoyable. All this for a number of technical reasons beyond the scope of my missive here. My latest thinking on source impedance is 1.30 ohms, my very most favorite number, and sure enough, Zout = 1.30 ohms for these amplifiers! One more thing, it may be changed from much lower than that to much higher by changing the idle current, and is read on the front meter. Great question, hope this helps and that I did not put you to sleep with my long answer. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, Great pair of amps you have there. May I ask, (if it isn't an old family secret), what ingredient(s) you use to make the output transformers, that you are winding for these amps, that you are selling now, superior to the originals that you used to use? They certainly are beauties!!! Best of Regards, "jay" | Jul-06-10 | | A: | Hi Jay, No secrets at all. I'm using oxygen free(well, almost oxygen free)copper wire, the hardest steel known to man, non flammable nitrate transformer varnish, and lots of love with tons of attention to winding geometry detail. Good question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob: Wanted to send you a note to thank you for my monoblocks. I started buying and building amps (Dynakits)in 1966 and quickly became dissatisfied.I went through a lot of amps including several of the more famous and expensive products on the market. There was always a "bigger or better" available. I had finally deceided that the problem was me, not the amps. WELL, I received your beautiful Monoblocks in Feb. and I truly believe that this search is really over. I have never heard more beautiful, purer sound. From the sound stage to the crisp highs I am completely satisfied. I use them primarily for Phono (a Clearaudio Anniversary with tangential arm and xzy D4 cart) and they noticably upgraded the sound over my Macs and my 5803 Denon. I am trying different preamps and I have to tell you that the old Carver C1 that you reccomended that I try sounds better than the new Music Angel pre that Larry Z gave me to match them. Yor follow thru is appreciated and I will treasure them, Richard | Jul-06-10 | | A: | Hi Richard, Yea! Bob Carver | | Q: | Wow two of the worlds best tube amp designers, one amp- must be AMAZING! I will bid for my Stax F81's, that need limitless juice to open up. I use a Luxman M6000 right now, but the promise of tubes like this on the Stax, I have to bid! | Jul-06-10 | | A: | Hi 'att, Hey, I have only stood on the shoulders of the truly greats - Sid Smith, Frank McIntosh, Stu Hegeman, and foremost Tim de Paravicini. I'm lucky to be living now, and was able to rub shoulders with Tim and some of the other great amplifier designers. These amps DO have almost limitless juice to get any speaker to show its true self! Bid away, and if you should win and live within driving distance I'll deliver them myself. Bid away, happy bidding! Bob Carver | | Q: | I just wish I had the bucks Bob. I have a mint pair of Vortex Screens I stole for peanuts a few years ago but, as an underpayed aircraft painter, I've yet to get them the kind of juice they deserve. Sorry I can't afford 'em but I'm sure someone will. Maybe someday before the ol'ears give out. Glad to know your still making the world sound better. | Jul-05-10 | | A: | Hi'1914, Thanks for your nice words - there is no doubt in my mind that your ears will last a long time to come. When you are painting, I don't think the loud aircraft engine is running, right? So it cannot harm your ears. Lots of listening left! well, here we are, still in the arena after all these years! The Vortex Screens are quite efficient; they should do very well and present a beautiful sound-scape even without my amps. Enjoy the music, even after all these years! Bob Carver | | Q: | Silver Sevens, did you know how desired these have become? A friend of mine has a pristine pair of "amazings" and would love to add some sevens.Any chance of a retro? | Jul-05-10 | | A: | Hi taz154, Yeah I know. No chance of a retro by me - at least for now - but a good guy by the name of James may actually do it in the future. He is working on a pair right now with my blessing, and they are probably about a year away. In the meantime, a good alternative would be to use two of these amps per channel(four in all for both channels). That would make almost a seven, and with slightly more power. No doubt the Amazings would love it and sound stunning! Thanks for writing and for joining my auction, Bob Carver | | Q: | Your amplifiers are beautiful. I love the dark red color, very classy. I have a pair of Apogees and I have been using a solid state amp and would like to switch to tubes. A friend of mine brought his tube amp over and it sounded great, but it couldn't drive them well. Do you think your amps would be able to drive them? Also, how is it possible that the tubes in your amps could last 50 years? I believe you, but it just seems to good to be true. Thank You, James. | Jul-04-10 | | A: | Hi'tro, My mother taught me that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Forget everything thing your mother taught you about moderation - the tubes WILL last 50 years - here's why. First of all a good output tube that is operated well below its maximum dissipation (heat) level will last a long time, substantially longer than three or four years. They have been designed by our forefathers to do that. Take a look at all the vintage stereo amps listed on eBay - the ones from consoles - their output tubes are about 50 years old and usually check out fine. As for the small tubes, my own experience as a T.V. fixing man in my youth taught me that video pentodes and sync splitters seemed to last forever. They were not quite 50 years old of course, but close. It's the D.C. restorer that allows this extreme longevity, as it reduces the dissipation to about one fourth or one fifth normal practice. Longevity is calculated as related to the 2nd power of the dissipation ratio; 4^2 ~ 16. Finally, 16 X 3 = 48 years. I think the color is nice as well, it's a dark burgundy strawberry with a touch of metallic. Looks better in real life than in the pictures, if I may say so myself! As for driving your Apogees: If you have one ohm apogees, no problem - these amps can deliver over three hundred watts into one ohm. If you have four or eight ohm Apogees, driving them becomes super easy and a walk in the park for these mighty KT88's and powerful output transformers. I specifically designed them to be able to deliver lots of current by having a separate high current supply voltage source for the screen grids. Stu Hegeman (my hero) taught me how to do this long ago. Good questions. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hey Bob, I see your at it again. Don't ever stop. Although I could never afford your amps I sure love reading the Q&A's on your auctions. Toodles, Mr.M-500t aka the AVRiser Guy. | Jul-04-10 | | A: | Hi '16dc, Someone once said "never say never" - I don't remember who. Still,I'm honored that you enjoy the Q&A's, truly am. I enjoy meeting everybody, so COME ON all you vacuum tube amplifier aficionados - ask questions! Remember, the only dumb question is the one that is never asked. There is no bad question, none at all! Thanks my friend, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hey Bob, I have an older Carver CM-1090 with "Hologram". The output attnuation (volume)will at-times cause a partially grounded crackly muted RH output. Could I use the CM-1090 as a preamp to feed these Carver KT88s and is there any reason I would not want to drive my Dahlquist M-905 speakers with this much RMS power? They are fuse protected and the room is 12'W x 23'L. I listen across the width of the room and have enjoyed the Hologram focus point for many years now. Please advise / Thanks, Mack (VIP, being local to King CO, WA, where am I regarding any "Sales Tax"?) 253-850-5871 | Jul-02-10 | | A: | Hi 'ack, The output volume controls are easily fixed. About the only thing that goes wrong with them is that the pots sometimes get oxidized and dirty - short burst spray with de-oxit will almost certainly cure this problem. I used 200 watts per channel for many years without any trouble at all into my Dahlquist DQ-10s. The only thing I did wrong was rarely, occasionally bottom out the woofer on very low and loud bass notes. The fix was to turn down the volume a tad, then all was well. You should have no problems driving the 905s with this amp. They are quite robust. Hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob, As a designer of test equipment and data collection systems, as well as being a vintage audio nut (both myself and my equipment are vintage), I must compliment you on a superb design both topside and below the deck. I would love to own a pair of these beauties, but my wife sets limits on my expenditures for toys, so I will continue to live with my pair of MC60s. What I cannot understand is why you are smiling while winding transformers. Best Regards, Dave | Jul-02-10 | | A: | Hi Dave, Well, thanks for saying such nice things about my design, top and below - I really think this IS my very best work. As for smiling, I must have been thinking about how truly wonderful this transformer was going to be when I finished winding, or perhaps it was simply lots of fun. I do enjoy building transformers, just the same, probably only a science nerd would find himself grinning from ear-to-ear while winding one. Again,thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | holy crap! are you really the bob carver?! if so you ROCK!!! anyways im a young audiophile vintage collector, are you on audiokarma.org? if so i want to add you to my friends list over there!!!!!! thanks! stereo rob. | Jul-01-10 | | A: | Hi'hi fi, Holey Moley Rollers! I love your out-of-sight enthusiasm! I'll pinch myself to see if I'm really Bob Carver. Ouuuuccchh!! Yep, it's me, so count me in. Thanks, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Mr Carver How are you? A few months ago you said that you have to revise the schematic. you told me in an email to remind you. I have some personal problems, I could not reply to you earlier. I would really like to have one copy of the schematic. I give you my word as a retired electronics technician, I will not sell, or distribute . it is for my personal use.Thanks very much..... Tazz | Jul-01-10 | | A: | Hi Tazz, No problem! Stay tuned because I'm going to update it and post it on this auction towards the end. I hope your personal problems have a happy ending, and no worries about not responding earlier. Use it and enjoy. Bob Carver | | Q: | Mr. Carver, if I told you that I could mount a modern PC inside either of the existing amps pictured with only flash memory for the operating system and easy-restore module, would you be interested in hearing how this could be done? I work as a Engineer for the Department of Defense and am currently in Baghdad, Iraq. My area of expertise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TEMPEST I can minimize RF emissions from modern PC's with very inexpensive shielding so as to not interfere with tubesound. I can build a very small (mini-ITX) PC with a restore function which has never been implemented by any manufacturer or government to date. It entails the use of Flash Memory for a pre-installed OS/software package. A complete restore of all software and operating system is possible within the normal boot time with the flip of a switch.(in seconds) http://en.wikipedia.org/...ee_Lossless_Audio_Codec The makes a PC elegant and uncomplicated with a perfect digital output/0 CPU RF emissions. | Jul-01-10 | | A: | Hi Triple seven, Your idea sounds super intriguing, and no doubt would be fun as well as scientifically interesting, however a problem immediately pops up in my head. The rules of this amp is it's a vintage design, using only parts and hardware available up to about 1960. That's not to say that thoroughly modern ideas and concepts cannot be used, still, PCs were not invented until the recent past, as it were. So . . . . until I make a non-vintage tube amp, the answer must be no in the sense of implementing it in these amp, but as a brain exercise, it would indeed be fun to know about. Stay in touch. Thanks for a great thought, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr Carver. I have seen a few of these amps on ebay over the last year and was wondering how do these amps compare to one of your T-modded Carver amps? What is the difference between a T-amp, and a real tube amp? Thaks for your time. Bill H. | Jun-30-10 | | A: | Hi 'O, Comparing the solid state T amps with these tube amps is very much like comparing our children. Each is truly individual and possesses a unique and different personality. The tube amp is more like a beautiful poem, whereas the solid state amp is more like a science and math person solving a quadratic differential equation. Magic in both! Somehow, on one hand, I dont't feel I answered the question, but I did! Thanks for joining my auction, Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob - Nice amps! Very similar to some you had before. I like the OPT! I'm still working with the medium power stuff, 50-60 watts/channel. Have you run across the new Tung-Sol (EH) KT120s? Thanks, Tim Smith | Jun-30-10 | | A: | Hi '95, There are few things in life more rewarding than working with and building amplifiers. Even winding the OPT (output transformer) is lots of fun. As for the Tung-Sol KT120s, I purchased six of them and put them through their paces, and I can honestly say that they are great power output tubes - they do everything right. Mike Mathews and his colleagues did a great job designing these tubes; I think he has been trying for at least a decade to come up with a tube like this. He finally did it! Keep on building! Bob Carver | | Q: | Is it possible to have these amplifiers wired for 220v? Do you have an idea what shipping to London England might cost? Looking forward to your reply, Fritz | Jun-29-10 | | A: | Hi Fritz, You can have them wired any way you would like for your country or for your power. Shipping to London is U.S. $526 dollars, plus or minus. That is the cost delivered to the base of Big Ben, your address may be a bit more or less, still that's pretty close. Thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | What is the power consumption of these amps, and what kind of heat will they be putting off? Chris | Jun-29-10 | | A: | Hi Chris, Well, let's see. At idle. KT88 filaments consume 10 watts each. Times six = 60 watts. KT88 plate and screen ~ 9.25 watts X 6 = 56 watts. Small tubes about 8 watts total. Fudge factor of perhaps 15 watts - that's 60 + 56 + 15 = 131 watts, thanks to the DC restorer. Not much for a tube amp; it's so little we can actually hold on to an output tube and not get burned - it's extremely uncomfortable though. The heat it gives off is distributed over the entire chassis, so that at any one spot, the heat is small enough so we can hold or touch it anywhere. Great question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Greetings again Mr. Carver: I have wondered for quite some time whether you worked with an industrial designer in your Carver Corp. days to create the bespoke industrial Carver "look." One example, I find the Silver Seven t's to be visually stunning (okay, not as stunning as the gorgeous tube Sevens!). I love the fact that they are so uncompromisingly different from any other solid state amplifier (internally as well). My wife thinks they would look at home in a nuclear missile silo (!) but admits too that they produce gorgeous music when effortlessly driving our vintage KEF Reference Series speakers. I wonder if you would care to comment on the design of the Sevens in particular and how that came about. I would guess that the solid state version was intentionally derivative of the reference tube design. Nevertheless, who created the key design concepts in the first place? You?! Again??!! (o; Best, Marc + Maria + beagles Vancouver, BC | Jun-29-10 | | A: | Hi guys, Regarding aesthetic appearance: All of my Sunfire designs and most, but not all, of my Carver designs were done by me having as a beginning a rough sketch on a piece of paper inside my notebook. The Silver Seven design emerged as form-follows-function. I copied Stu Hegeman's design of the Citation II; transformers in the back, power tubes in front, a champagne escutcheon on the front. A separate power supply was mandated because otherwise it would have been all but impossible to lift. As for the sonics - it was the "Carver Challenge" of long ago that led me to build the best tube amplifier ever built. At least from my humble perspective. Thanks for the kind words. You have definitely made my day! Bob Carver | Q: | Hi will amps operate on 220 volts? We also have 50 Hertz. Je vous remercie de votre réponse. | Jun-28-10 | | A: | Hi new friend, I can tell your English is far better than my French. These amps have been designed to operate on 220/240/110/120 Volts AC and 50/60 Hz. It's a standard transformer with "split" windings and is easily wired for 120 or 240, however the change must be performed by experienced and qualified personnel. I can send it to you with any voltage you want. Hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | I've heard of these scams, and I wondered if you wouldn't mind telling us something only you would know to verify your identity. We already know your dog's name. Thanks | Jun-28-10 | | A: | Hi 'oe, Hmmm,let me think. I'll answer a science question since you already know my dog Zeus and his name. Were you aware that the average idle current at 715 volts is .080 amps combined for all six tubes? See it's me! You make me smile. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Greetings Mr. Carver. I've been looking at your beautiful amps, and would like to know if I could audition them. I live in Portland, Oregon, so I'm pretty close by. Thanks very much. | Jun-28-10 | | A: | Hi'57t, Portland is just a stone's throw away and a beautiful drive up the coast with the ocean on the left and cliffs on the right. I would be more than happy for you to visit; we could listen into the wee hours. Just bring your favorite vinyl. Or CDs. See you soon, Bob Carver |
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Carver tube monos
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver
M500
M500t
C-9
C-16
AV-634 (2)
TD-1400
TD-1440
Carver Amazing Platinum upgraded Originals
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Rank: TO-18 Member
Groups: Member, Search Party
Joined: 1/19/2009(UTC) Posts: 336 Location: North Carolina Was thanked: 17 time(s) in 16 post(s)
Gave Thanks: 3 times
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Once again, this Q&A is preserved here. Price: $7700 on 7/29/10. As always you'll have to start at the bottom of the post and read each Q&A upward to follow chronological order. | Question & Answer | Answered On |
| Q: | Mine just arrived today! Got home from recording Elio Villafranca. Had to hook them up. WOW!!! Never heard my old stand in Castle Harlech's sound like this. Just HUGE so much control and weight with total delicacy in the quite points. The piano has the weight and tone I just left at the studio when Elio played the Fazioli!!! I am thrilled!! More later got to go listen! | Jul-28-10 | | A: | WOW! I'm glad they arrived safe and sound, and I gotta say, you have made my day! Thanks Robin, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob, I have a question for you about my Sunfire Classic tube preamplifier. My moving magnet phono section sounds terrible. It's real tinny sounding and has almost no low end. I had just got the unit used and the original owner only used moving coil cartridges. I replaced all the tubes (JAN Philips 6922 and Sovtek 12ax7LPS). Why does it sound like this? | Jul-25-10 | | A: | Hi 44' That's horibble! I designed that preamp to sound just the opposite of tinny with a warm and expansive soundstage. I don't know why it sounds horrible, but I do possess the technology to fix it and make it sound great. Is it under warranty? Oh never mind, just send it in to Rita's Vintage Audio and I'll fix it. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Those are some great looking amps, only a mad scientist could have designed those babies! I'm sure they sound as wonderful as they look! Now if only that mad scientist could design a tube amplifier that could sound almost as good for an unbelievable low price! An amp in kit form that was even more affordable would be stupendous, then some of us dummies that love electronics might learn something too! Excuse me while I go wipe the druel off my chin. john | Jul-25-10 | | A: | Hi John, I like your sense of style. Mad scientist, huh? Well, I looked at the pictures of me winding the transformers and sure enough, in one of them I look absolutely mad. In truth I was just happy that the transformers were working right. As for a good amp at an unbelievable low price, some of my old amp designs are for sale right here on eBay. They're not tubed though - transistor amps - they don't have my or Tim's latest thinking either. Now you have me drooling too - if you were laughing I would probably rolling over on the floor with the giggles. Thanks for the contagious emotions, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob, Had you seen this: http://www.apogeeacousti...pairsapogeeribbons.html Regards, David | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi David, Wow! I had not. Thanks a bunch - looks like I can get my Apogees fixed. Although they sound great, they will undoubtedly sound even better after these folks restore them for me. Thanks again - this really helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | Forgive me for being the man with a million questions, but I’m like this if I’m new to something. Being new to tubes I was looking at some on-line, mann there are a lot to choose from, and was wondering would the new Tung-Sol KT120 be okay in your amp or would it stress the transformer or maybe the other parts too greatly to be use in your amp? Tung-Sol KT120 is claiming more power being available with this type of tube and that it can fit right into any socket a KT88 can fit. If they are okay to be use would there be any adjustments that the owner needed to do or would it be a simple swapping-out of tubes? I know it might be best to have a piece of tube equipment before you start trying to tube roll :-D | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi again '310, As far as I can tell, Mike Mathews, the owner of Tung-Sol, has been trying to make a tube like this (KT-120) for about a decade. He finally succeeded and succeeded in spades! A tip of my hat to him! I purchased six to try out and found that they are indeed spectacular tubes. Four of them can do the job of six regular KT88's. The only thing I cannot tell is how long they will last, but I can tell how well they work, and they work as well as the best premium tube I've ever had. They can be dropped in most amps that use KT88's or 6550's. The power will not increase one whit though, as the power output is determined by the output transformer as well as the power supply voltage and current. In order to increase output power, the amp must be re-designed using a bigger power transformer, as well as for an output transformer with a different turns ratio. Still,tube swapping is fun, so enjoy it. No apologies necessary for being new to all this. Bob Carver | | Q: | I have a few questions on your output transformer design: You mention it is based on some old design, was it the Dyna A431? I had never heard of Adamantine steel, what is this core material and where do you get it from? I know in the past you have provided information on your designs, do you have any plans on sharing winding information on your transformer? Thanks. | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi '7543, This transformer was based on the teachings of many - David Hafler of Dynaco, Stu Hegeman, and many others. This unit was most heavily inspired by an unknown scientist who clearly designed output transformers for the United States (see description). Adamantine steel is the hardest steel known to man; it is similar to cold-rolled steel except it is heat treated and hardened as it leaves the rollers. My steel supplier made it for me. I'll be happy to share the winding geometry with you: contact me after the auction is over, and I'll send the drawings. When you build one and power it up for the first time, STAND BACK! Keep the creativity rolling! Bob Carver | | Q: | Are xlr connections an option on your amps? Are they a fully balanced design? I have a preamp with balanced connections and single ended connections. I prefer to use the balanced connections when possible. | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi '4t, No XLR connections on my amplifiers! I get great sound with a single ended vintage RCA input. The amplifier itself is fully balanced from input to output. Balanced connectors are useful for preventing hum and noise pickup during extra long runs, as in pro applications. As for home audio installations I think great sound comes from single ended vintage connections. Thanks for writing. All the Best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Dear Mr. Carver (& Zeus too!), Thanks as usual for being so generous with your time. We have some more queries about your (amazing) Carver Corp. days. 1. Thinking of your Carver solid state amplifiers, would you be so kind as to identify a few designs that you consider to be extra special from a personal point of view (possibly explaining why). 2. Are there any significant differences between the Silver Seven t and Nine t Mono Amplifiers? (Fyi, we own and love a pair of 7t's!) 3. Did Carver Corp. manufacture a tube pre-amp to work with the stupendous Silver Seven Vacuum Tube Amplifier? If so, what was its official model designation? Approx. how many were manufactured (if any)? 4. Can you share one of your "Eureka!" moments when you were designing/engineering? (Of course my wife & I love Dolby Digital (etc.), but we still consider Sonic Holography to be an audio triumph.) Best, Marc + Maria + beagles Vancouver, BC | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi Marc, Maria, and beagles, I will do my best here. Tube preamp: yes, Carver Corporation did make one, it was called the Silver One and sported about twenty vacuum tubes, primarily 12AX7's. I cannot remember how many were actually made, but it couldn't have been more then 100 units. As for my Eureka moment, most of my inventions have followed from a long felt need, OR something that I thought would be cool to invent. The Sonic Hologram generator was such an instrument and was the largest selling (unit volume) of my time at Carver. Great questions,hope this helps. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr. Carver, I hope you don't mind a question from a female fan of yours if the answer is no then here goes, at this point in time are you designing or do you have anything new and different apart from these amps that you will be building or are these going to be "The Last Frontier" in tube amps as there are most likely no other tube designers left out there that could top this pair. I enjoy and learn a lot by asking questions and the questions others ask you and your answers and comments. A Fan, Melissa | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi Melissa, Great question, and it has so much emotional content that I can't answer it right now. Since I have a day job, finding the time to invent new things is often difficult. I'm sort of thinking about an all vacuum tube preamp for us vinyl lovers. Cheers, Bob Carver | | Q: | Mr. Carver, Since Joe, THE master builder of tube amps has a new job, as you mentioned earlier in one of your answers/comments, will this affect your selling on e-bay? I hope it doesn't it's like a continuing Saga. "jay" | Jul-24-10 | | A: | Hi' music, Yes it's sad, but he got a new job, and we have to be happy for him. I'm going to try and get him to stay up late at night and build amplifiers. What can be more important, nes' pa? Wish us luck. Warmest and Best, Bob Carver | | Q: | I know this question keeps coming up in different forms all the time, but I think because it seems to truly fly in the face of normal belief. I’m a guy who leaves his gear on 24/7, except if I’m going to be away for days on end I power everything down. What formula are you using, or at least what is the hours-per-day/duration you are factoring in for a projected 50 year life span on these tubes. Bob I believe you, but I need some numbers and it’s next to impossible to convince anyone else of your claim. If I left these amps on 24/7 without eeeeever tuning them off, what can I expect the life to be? ...the 6 big ones and even the 4 small ones? And the audio quality of the tubes at that time? Now you look into that Crystal Ball and tell me damn it! | Jul-23-10 | | A: | Hi '310, I know 50 years seems too long, but it's not(barring a catastrophic failure). First the subjective component. When I was fixing television sets and Hi-Fi consoles for a living long ago, I noticed that some tubes seemed to last forever. 12BY7's, 6BQ5's, 6L6's, and on and on. Today we can buy vintage console amps on eBay that are 50 years old, and the tubes, especially the output tubes, check out fine. I have purchased many Telefunken 12AX7's on eBay (I know, I know, the possessive singular is followed by an apostrophe s, but this is for style); many of them are about 50 years old and test like new! Plus, they are about two dB quieter than even the best brand new tubes. Honest! Now by the numbers: I assume listening to music two and a half hours per day, five days per week. That's less than 33,000 hours in 50 years, a walk in the park for a great tube that is idled at only nine watts (not its specification of 42 watts). Look on eBay and you will find many, many vintage amps with 6V6's inside and they are OLD. And they work great! The secret is to operate them substantially below their maximum rating. Thanks to the DC restorer, these tube operate at 9 watts or so; we can touch the tubes without getting burned, though it will feel uncomfortable for sure! It is absolutely not necessary to leave these amps on continuously - I've designed them to warm up in the first few minutes and sound perfect after about seven minutes. If you left them on 24/7, the output tubes would last about four years is all. The small tubes probably six. Good question that needed some explanation. Hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | Without having any kind of test equipment here at home with me, where would you set the gains on the Cherries to match-up with a Sunfire Signature CG? I ask because I would have the Cherries on the Mids/Highs and the Sunfire Sig. would move and cover the Bass duties on my IRS Betas? Would love, but not sure off of the top I could afford 4 Cherry amps to run my speakers :-) I’m considering also a new tube amp from Michael Elliot (formally of Counterpoint), but his is a hybrid tube design and since I have never done tubes I’m kinda leaning towards doing a full tube amp to see what the Tube sound is all about – decisions decisions . | Jul-22-10 | | A: | Hi '310 again, That's an easy question to answer because the gains are the same, exactly the same for both amps. 30 dB. That means the volume controls should be at full clockwise rotation (full up)for equal gain matching. If you want minus six dB, then set them at half mast for a 50% reduction. Or do it by ear. My favorite way. As for decisions, decisions, your instinct is on the mark regarding a hybrid; hybrids put the transistors in the output section, and it is the output section that counts most, so we should always put the tubes there - which means a full-blown tube amp as a practical matter. Thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello, What are the dimensions of these beautiful looking amps? | Jul-22-10 | | A: | Hi '310, Oops!I should have that information in the auction somewhere, or at least a picture of a human model by its side for size perspective. Oh well, here are the numbers. 12 3/4 wide by 15 1/4 deep by 7 3/4 high. this includes about an inch in the back for binding posts and for the power switch handle, as well as about half an inch for the depth of the feet. Hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | A couple of questions of mine and then I will let you get back to answering other questions. Hello Bob, A quick question do you find that each and every pair of amps that you build and sell are different and have a uniqueness/personality of their own or do they pretty well run true to the course? Thanks, J | Jul-21-10 | | A: | Hi J, That is a very good question. I actually have spent a lot of work and time to make certain that each amp sounds the same, exactly the same, as the one that was built before. There are about six small parts that are hand selected for optimum performance in each individual amp. Since each one is custom hand crafted, it requires more attention to detail to make sure that each amp is finished, performs, and sounds perfect. We(all of us) are fortunate to have Tubular Joe, the extreme perfectionist, building these amps. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr. Carver, I am one of the truly blessed people that you have helped with the building of their amps by generously sharing your schematics and information with us, there are just not very many master minds out there that would do what you do, let me stop here and say THANK YOU for doing that for me and others, as a result I have a system that only some dream about and was also once a dream of mine but is now a reality, a dream come true. Jay | Jul-21-10 | | A: | Enter your response here Hi 'music, You are very welcome, and I'm glad the amp you built sounds as good in real life as it did in your dreams. Whenever that happens to me, I have to pinch myself to see if it's true and if I'm awake. Thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Will you be making more of these amps? | Jul-20-10 | | A: | Hi '27, Bob's my name, and amps are my game - I don't know if I could ever stop making amps even if I wanted to. Strictly speaking, Tubular Joe actually builds them in his kitchen whenever he has spare time, and he just got a new job (he's a sound man who puts up and takes down large systems for events in big auditoriums), so I don't know exactly just when he'll be able to build one next. But yes we will, hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for writing, warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | I am now bi-amping with a mcintosh 275 and 225. How would your sound compare? The macs are over worked with the polk sda srs speakers I have. | Jul-20-10 | | A: | Hi '27, It's unusual to Bi-amp with two tube amps AND it is the very best way to go IF the tube amps have enough power. Here's why: For the bass, a tube amp is able to follow the increasing impedance rise as the frequency goes lower and lower. This characteristic allows the tube amp to deliver an increased voltage (about 50% more) into the woofer than it can at frequencies removed from from the speaker's bass resonance. Since virtually all woofers have a bass resonance, this yields a warmer rolling bass, a more powerful bass with greater articulation, and usually is more pleasant and fun to listen too. However, in the real world, most tube amps don't have the raw power or current ability (tube amps are voltage devices, whereas solid state amps are current devices) to drive a big woofer to to satisfying undistorted output levels. So by default this job is usually performed by a solid state amp, even though it's output voltage cannot follow the increase in low- end impedance at all. In other words, a tube amp is better than a transistor amp for the low end but ONLY if it can deliver the power and current. Most cannot, so the transistor amp wins by default. These tube amps of mine have lots of power and more to the point have been designed( by virtue of a separate screen supply power source and the D.C. restorer) to deliver 27 amperes of peak current, even more than most transistor amps. As for the mid-range and high-end, the virtues of a tube amp are well understood; your tube amp approach is right on the mark. How would it sound if you used my amp? I think it would sound much better. More drive voltage, more drive current, and finally that undefinable magic that sometimes only a very special tube amplifier can have. Thanks for writing, hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | hey Bob: When are you going to put your Scintillas up for auction? I like the idea of an amp/speaker package! | Jul-19-10 | | A: | Hi'costa, Oh man, my Scintillas are very old and in dire need of a magic touch by someone. I have applied automobile rear window conductive paint on the ribbons to repair broken connections, the low frequency resonance of the main diaphragm has shifted so low with endless use and time that on piano music they often sound like a comb kazoo. I could go on and on, but you get the picture, nes' pa? So I'm going to keep them forever for myself; they sound so wonderful - I can forgive their buzzings, thumpings, cracklings as well as their outrageously power hungry diaphragms. Audio Nirvana is so hard to live with sometimes, but always worth it! Warmest and best, Bob Carver |
Carver tube monos
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver
M500
M500t
C-9
C-16
AV-634 (2)
TD-1400
TD-1440
Carver Amazing Platinum upgraded Originals
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Thank you so much for collecting this! Before finding this thread, I only had the last few completed auctions still available on eBay for research / review. I read through every single question and answer saved here before placing the winning bid on the most recent set Monday evening (hope I didn't outbid anyone here...). Buying something this expensive sight unseen and more importantly, unheard is always nerve wracking, but at least armed with the info from this thread I felt like it was an informed decision. Thanks again!
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Congratulations!
Do us a favor a post a review on the amps when you get them, would you please?
Upstairs:
VTL MB-250 Signature monoblocks, Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 preamp, HHb BurnIt Plus, Well Tempered Labs Classic, Ortofon 2M Black, Jolida JD-9 Phono Preamp, Carver TX-11a, VPI-17, Jolida JD-100, AKG 701, Beyerdynamics 881, NHT SW1-P subwoofer and amp, Magnepan 1.6, Bedini Ultra Clarifier, APC H15
Downstairs:
VTL 300 Deluxe monoblocks, Carver TX11a, Carver DTL unit (signed, for display), Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 preamp, Jolida JD-100, Oppo 981, Stax Sigma, SVS SB-12 subwoofer, Magnepan 3.6, Bedini Ultra Clarifier, APC H15
Speaker Cables: Kimber 4TC, Interconnects: Ben's Silver Power Cords: Supra LoRad
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Yes I would second that !!! Congrats on the purchase. What kind of speakers will you be driving with the amps? " Facts Are Meaningless They Can Be Used To Prove Anything "
Carver M4.0t / M1.5t / M1.0t x 2 / TFM 15cb / C-9 ,Barcus-Berry 2002R Sonic Maximizer, Pioneer Elite VSX 80TX ,
Klipsch Cornwall II's, KG 4's, Polk Audio Center Channel, Advent Mini II W/Passive Sub Rear Speakers
Klipsch/Advent/Paradigm Subwoofers
Sony 400 disc CD Player, Yamaha EQ- 550,Pioneer DV 563A
Panamax M5100EX
2 Channel System : Carver MXR-130, Original Large Advent Speakers x2 "Stacked", YamahaYP-B2 TT W/LM-15 Ortofon Cart.
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Welcome and congratulations!
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While I am genuinely pleased this thread was useful helping someone make a decision to buy, one of the intended purposes as best as possible please try to keep it limited to the Q&A info from the auctions. It would seem more beneficial to all and less cluttered without needing to weed through additional commentary for which ample forum space is provided. That said, sutekh, you got a helluva deal. eBay item # 180553732950 _________________________________________________________________ The 9th pair of Bob's amps with meters sold for $5722 on 9/6/10. The listing created some confusion over the power spec calling them 180 watt rated but with the now familiar text about Bob winding his own transformers on steel cores for a power spec of 240 watts. The latter should be true. As always, start from the bottom and read up. Enjoy!
| Question & Answer | Answered On |
| Q: | Hi Bob LOVE your work, I just got a good start in building tube amps, Love the smooth sound, I bought a old Bogen NTB-250 it is a solid state but it uses these big output trans. 125 each they use the same three wires that tube trans, will these work in a tube setup? Sorry this is not about this auction. Keep up the great work!!! | Sep-04-10 | | A: | Hi 'corners, I wish they would but they won't. The turns ratio is all wrong for coupling a tube amp to a set of speakers. However lots of vintage Bogens are tube amps and those transformers will work! Great question. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, sorry to bother again, but having read through the descriptions of several of your past auctions and their questions/answers, I haven't seen this question answered (admittedly, I probably just haven't looked hard enough). The pair currently for sale indicate that they're rated for 180 watts rms, whereas the last pair, although nearly identically described (same weight, frequency response, thd, etc.), were rated for 240. There are still some references in this auction to 240 (in the output transformer section), but elsewhere, the numbers have been changed to 180. Is something specifically different about this pair, or have you simply re-rated the design? Thanks! | Sep-04-10 | | A: | Hi introvert, I like your handle, it reminds me of me. Here is what happened - the new transformers allowed for a power output of over 240 watts, however when I started using the new name "eBay 240", I found that the name this amplifier had acquired all by itself was "Cherry 180". When I spoke the words "Cherry 180" it sounded much better to me than "eBay 240". More musical to my ears. The amplifiers are in fact identical, both clipping at approximately 245 watts rms. So to answer your question directly and in your words, I have simply re-rated the design. Hope this helps. Great question. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hey Bob, You know what I really love about your new amps? They're RED!!! Reminds me of my first Volkswagen! Think I'll spray paint my Phase Linear 4000 II to match... All seriousness aside, you are an audio GOD (will this help me in the auction?) All the best, Mike Casey | Sep-04-10 | | A: | Hi Mike, Thank you for your great comment, but I must say there is a smiling devil in me as well. And a GOD, audio or otherwise, will definitely help in this auction. I like RED too! Happy bidding. Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, This is Tim from Wilmington,DE and was really depressed that your last auction of your SILVER SIX Amps went way out of my price range. But now I have another chance to own a set of your famous amps.I found your article on Output Transformers being the Heart and Soul of a good tube amp very enlightening and was wondering what you thought about PEERLESS Transformers since we all are not able to fabricate our own like you can.Do you feel they are one of the higher quality transformers or what would be some high end ones that you know of. It was great chatting with you again and hope to one day get to meet you and buy a set of your amps. I will keep in mind the fakes out there and do what I can to help you get rid of them.Well I will let you get back to winding and keep building the greatest amps ever made. Warmest regards, Timothy Michael McDowell-Wilmington, Delaware | Sep-04-10 | | A: | Hi Timothy, I know your feelings on missing out on a good thing, I have experienced that in my life as well, but there is always another chance. As for the Peerless transformers, they are indeed among the best. They're a fairly modern design constructed with low-loss steel and layer wound. The company was brought out long ago by Bogen and so the Bogen transformers are actually Peerless. Old beat-up Bogen amplifiers are available right here on eBay, sporting some of the best output transformers around. That's a secret. FAKES: I'm glad to report that I'm unable to locate any actual amplifier fakes; the fakery is associated with a direct copy of my auction, complete with my text and photographs of me. Thanks for writing,and thanks especially for keeping an eye out. Warmest and Best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob, I see you fielded a question about the new KT-120 light bulbs. :>) I have heard they have more input capacitance, would that reduce your bandwidth, or is your driver stage able to blast right through it? Thanks! JAY | Sep-03-10 | | A: | Hi Jay, It is true the new KT-120's have more capacitance - they should have simply because they have bigger plates by half again. That means the inter-electrode capacitance (all else being equal) must also increase by the same amount. The good news is that it is so minuscule that the wires inside the amp possess more stray capacitance and totally dominate the kind that would hinder bandwidth.For example, any output transformer has way more, and since the driver stages are designed to overcome that reactance they would indeed 'blast right through'. We would not even be able to tell it was there. Excellent question, Bob Carver | | Q: | Mr. Carver - I have a number of your Carver TFM 40 solid state amps - bought them new 20 years or so ago. When one of them went dead, my high school son took it apart and you apparently told him to send it to you and you would fix it and tell him what was wrong. You fixed it - and inspired him to be an Electrical Engineer - he graduated with honors in EE in 2008. THANKS Now the question - I have a set of Infinity Reference IB towers with all the servo contols etc. I have been driving them with one TFM 40 for the base towers and one TFM 40 for the tweeter colums. Would it make sense to use these tube amps for the tweeter columns and then use the TFM 40's bridged for the bass so would have one tube amp on each tweeter column and one TFM 40 on each bass channel??? Thanks for your help!! | Sep-02-10 | | A: | Hi 'arres, With honors, WOW! That is great. I'm glad to have been an inspiration , but it was really YOU and he who should take all the credit for his achievements - well, maybe just a little for me. congratulations!(And welcome to my auction.) Your idea for driving the panels with these tube amps would be the cat's meow. As for the bass and the TFM 40's, I would not bridge them, rather hook them up in parallel with a one ohm resistor at the output of each amplifier channel and tie the two ends together (the ends NOT hooked to the amp channels), then that tied-together end goes to the woofers. This allows the amplifiers to follow the woofer impedance curve and will yield a very tuneful bass. Stay in touch and let me know how it all sounds. Of course the tweeter towers will be great - goes without saying. Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob (I'm a little star struck to actually be asking you a question directly...), I've been looking for a more powerful tube amp to drive a set of 4ohm Magnepans and to replace the handful of ~50WPC 6L6 and EL34 driven vintage monoblocks I've acquired over the years. Having looked seriously though at several nice pairs of Mac 75s and Marantz 9s (which I still want before I die), I simply can't justify the extreme cost that vintage, marque brand tube gear is commanding currently when I'm convinced these amps will sound better and last longer (and are certainly more powerful). Anyway, I'm ready to bite, but I'd like to see a pic of the actual pair for sale this time if possible since I understand they're all slightly different. Alternately, since they're hand built one at a time, could you perhaps (if I win this one), keep the one you have now for the next auction and build me one in blue or black and ship when finished? Thank you! | Sep-02-10 | | A: | Hi 'ert, For the moment I'm out of chassis except red ones. I won't need any new ones for about three months (Tubular Joe builds about one a month). I just cannot bring myself to paint over the beautiful red finish these chassis have. Well, you know, Rembrandt did it to free up another canvas, so perhaps if he could do it so can I. Let me think about it. As for taking more pictures, I'm too lazy to set up my camera and my lights and my stage and do the download and I could go on and on. But it is okay, as all the amps look the same anyway and you would see no difference, none at all, even though each is lovingly built one at a time by me and Tubular Joe. Go for it! Warmest and best, Bob Carver | | Q: | Ola Senior Carver. Are these amps a "One Off" production or will more be avaiable in the future? I need to decide if I need to sell my car or house in order to buy these or if I can wait and save some money and then buy them. Regards, Andrew H Katy, Texas | Sep-02-10 | | A: | Hi '788, Don't sell your car or house or even your children - wait a bit - Tubular Joe can build about one amp per month on his kitchen table, so there should be many more. That is a very good question Andrew. Thanks for asking, Bob Carver | | Q: | HI Bob, I am interested in these blocks and Citation preamp. Would really love some silver 7s, really undecided on what to do. Should I spend the bucks for the 7s, also do you suggest one of you tube preamps to go with the 7s if I can find some. I guess I can get some 7ts if the others are too expensive, Whats your opinion. Look forward to hearing from you., Dave | Sep-02-10 | | A: | Silver Sevens are rare as hens teeth and very expensive. Sound-wise these are as good as Silver Sevens but don't have as many continuous watts; we could call them silver threes. As for the Citation one, it really is a wonderful preamp and I think impossible to do better. I just finished comparing (again) my Stu Hegeman designed Lafayette preamp with this Stu Hegeman designed Citation, and guess what? The Citation is better, not by much, but the cost-almost-no-object approach shows when compared to the price-point unit that Stu was no doubt constrained to when he designed the Lafayette. Thanks for writing and for joining my auction, Bob Carver | | Q: | Addendom to my last question, It is you, I looked you up. You revolutionized the industry with your power supplies. My friend replaced all his boat anchors with your new light weight Carver 1.5s etc, for his Martin W8 rig. I bought your Phase Linear 700s for my sound system in 1980. You sir are a legend. | Sep-01-10 | | A: | Hi 'tov again, I am? Thanks, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi. Amazing amp. Are you perhaps the Carver of Carver Amplifiers that we used to get back in the 80s? Like, the pioneer of light weight high power amps? I can't remember the name of the technology back then, but it was ground breaking. Is that you? Thanks | Sep-01-10 | | A: | Hi 'tov, I am he. Yes it's me; just to make certain though I'll pinch myself - ouch - yes, it is I. Thanks for the sweet accolades, you have made my day, and it's still only early morning. Bob Carver | | Q: | Boy you guys know this stuff cold. I have a set of thirsty wilson MAXX and wonder what do you recommend amp wise for these beasts? If i order an amp how long does it take you and Tube to make it? Are there different models? Your story is super interesting to read... I'm a fan now! | Sep-01-10 | | A: | Hi rocket', I recommend THIS amp. If you win the auction, you will get it right away as we have it already built and ready to go. I only have one model, and here it is. Tubular Joe can build one in about three weeks once he gets started and gets on a roll. And yes, Tim is a true genius, no doubt. Thanks rocket', Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Mr. Carver, Your Fraud Alert has scared me. I have just bought a vintage Bell Packard amp from Mr. Jordon Gerber, who claims to be your assistant. I haven't yet received the amp, despite the fact that I had fully paid it through PayPal... additionally, an identical amp has come back for sale in eBay, also by Mr. Gerber. I just wanted to check if you know Jordon Gerber, and whether he is a honest seller, or I should stop the sale in eBay, and avoid somebody else getting swindled. Thank you for your kind answer, and best regards Jaime Lorenzo | Aug-31-10 | | A: | Hi 'aii, Not to worry, Jordon Gerber is the real deal and his auction is 100% legitimate. Jordon is my very talented laboratory assistant, and we did indeed work on and refurbish your amplifier together. It just takes a long time to travel the seas and reach you. By the way, it sounds great - so good even I was surprised. Hang in there, and let me know when it arrives and how you like the way it sounds. You are wise to be cautious as we have discovered several frauds right here on eBay, as well as on some other sites. Stay in touch, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hello Bob, Great to see your still around making great stuff. I am a novice at tubes. I have Krell solid state separtates. My preamp is a KAV-280p. Would this be a satisfactory preamp for your amp? If not what would you recommend? Thanks | Aug-29-10 | | A: | Hi '33 fainting spells,Your Krell will work great - perfect in fact; the gain of this power amp is 30dB, and its input impedance is 100,000 ohms. The Krell is designed to run anything from 400 ohms to several megohms, and its gain is standardized for vintage as well as contemporary audio equipment. If you don't want to use your Krell preamp, then I recommend using a nice vintage unit like the Citation I. Thanks for writing, Bob Carver | | Q: | Hi Bob -- 6 output tubes; so three each side in parallel push-pull? And what are you using in the HV power supply? Tube fan, Steve K6PMF | Aug-29-10 | | A: | Hi Steve, Yes, I used three up, three down in push-pull parallel - I wanted plenty of output current so normally they would not even break a sweat. Each pair is good for 110 watts, so three are good for 330 watts. As for the power supply, you can see from the picture of the inside there are seven(!!) giant electrolytics and a pair of diodes for the the high voltage source. It runs at 660 volts D.C. under full load and the bias supply has its own diode rectifier and an additional pair of electrolytic condensers. The HV supply is a voltage doubler in which the screen grids of the output tubes are operated from the 330 volt portion of the power supply. I know this may seem like over-kill conspicuous consumption, but I wanted to know for sure that we run out of electricity, we will have gotten our fair share. Just kidding. Great question, hope this helps, Bob Carver | | Q: | Man those are beautiful -- absolutely beautiful. Best, Richard, WAYX radio | Aug-28-10 | | A: | Hi Richard, Wow! I love your comments. You can be my friend forever. I copied Stu Hegamon,Sol Marantz, and Frank McIntosh when it came to the appearance of this amplifier. What better shoulders to stand on? Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob, I (we) the entire audio crowd have been watching these works of art since the first one showed up and blew us all away. Can I like, sell you one my my kids, or at least have you take one as collateral while I save up the cash to get one? Just kidding of course. Ponder it O.K. | Aug-28-10 | | A: | Hi 49' I do take trade-ins. My friend who lives in a small house behind mine, has a cackle, a crooked walking stick, and just adores children. Thanks for your humor and most of all your passion. I'm pondering after all these years. Bob Carver | | Q: | Bob, i'd like to know if this system accepts newer KT-120 tubes. Thanks | Aug-27-10 | | A: | Hi 'hunter, The answer is yes - here's what happens when the KT-120's are installed. First, the loop gain increases slightly, thereby increasing the feedback a bit and so lowering the distortion ever so slightly. Next, the eight ohm power increases slightly - about 5 watts, resulting in clipping at 245 watts. Not much. Ahh, but at one or two ohms the power increases dramatically, and is just the ticket for Apogees with their wicked one and two ohm loads. The bias current will normally be increased a small amount, increasing the dissipation, but since the tubes are so huge (allowing them to throw off more heat per unit time), and the glass so heavy, they will actually run at a slightly lower temperature. Pop 'em in if you got 'em. Good question! Thanks for asking, Bob Carver |
Carver tube monos
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver
M500
M500t
C-9
C-16
AV-634 (2)
TD-1400
TD-1440
Carver Amazing Platinum upgraded Originals
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Certainly. I apologize for hijacking your thread. To those who have asked, I will certainly post a review and pics in another thread once they arrive. Also, fwiw, I asked him to clarify the 180 vs 240 discrepancy and discovered for the first time that these are officially called "Cherry 180"s  .
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