Vin 6 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hello everyone! Im Vin, live on Long Island and just set up my dads old Carver stereo My dad passed back in 94 back when i was 17. I remember how proud he was of his Carver, cranking Led Zep on the speakers or sitting on the floor in the den with sony studio headphones on so loud i could hear it in my bedroom. after he passed, it was packed up for a few years after we moved back east. eventually my mom asked me to set it up for her (probably 15 years ago). at that time the input selectors started to go. everything lights up, but sound would only come out of one (i cant remember which one, maybe AUX) so as a cheap fix i got her some sort of rca selector box at radioshack so she could manually switch from TV, cd, vcr and have them all go through the working AUX. a few years after that, she split with her boyfriend, packed up the system and said i could have it. it remained boxed up because i didnt have a place to use it in my small house with a living room so small, when i bought it 11 years ago, i hung the tv on the wall and setup my cable box and dvd in the basement with IR repeaters so i didnt lose the space of an entertainment center. well, until a few months ago, my mother in law was living in the basement, she is out and somehow the room started turning into a music room all by itself. scored a drum set and my 5yo loves it. my 9yo is getting into guitar and violin so naturally i have been itching to set up the system. components: SD/A-490t CD player CT-17 Preamplifier tuner TFM-25 amplifier Denon DP-2000 turntable and a pair of Black Lacquer KLH Virtuoso speakers. model 6V so as i am sure you suspected by the sad face in the beginning, i have problems. pretty sure it is the PreAmp, but i will post more on that in the appropriate section. hope you weren't too bored with my backstory, i didnt expect to type all that lol. hope to be soon, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loner_t 2,568 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to CS, Vin! The 490t can directly be hooked using it's variable out and sent to the TFM25. You will need to use the process of elimination to find the issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie 16,429 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the CarverSite, Vin! There's lots to learn so enjoy your stay! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzman53 1,218 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin, The TFM-25 is a sweet amp (I have several). Too bad your preamp is on the blink. You can usually find a C1 on Ebay and every now and then a CT-7 shows up there. Post some pics when you can--- we love porn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin 6 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to CS, Vin! The 490t can directly be hooked using it's variable out and sent to the TFM25. You will need to use the process of elimination to find the issue. good tip! i just made a post in the preamp section describing my issues. unfortunately one of them is the cd drawer is stuck hopefully just needs a nudge. i am going to pop the cover off tomorrow and have a look. if i can get it to open, ill definitely give that a try and report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin 6 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin, The TFM-25 is a sweet amp (I have several). Too bad your preamp is on the blink. You can usually find a C1 on Ebay and every now and then a CT-7 shows up there. Post some pics when you can--- we love porn. i have already been looking a bit on ebay, but fearful to just end up with another with problems and also to give up on my dads system. here are a couple of not great, dusty and dirty pics i snapped earlier to have the model numbers with me as i post this from work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG 2,846 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the site! A lot of nice gear! The CD player has a small belt that probably will fix the opening and closing problem! The tfm-25 is a nice amp, probably a good idea to refresh the caps on it! I would second the idea to find a c-1 As a preamp! There is a lot to learn, and you will learn a lot, lots of great info through the forum pages! Do not be afraid to ask questions as you go! As always enjoy the music! BarryG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loner_t 2,568 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 unfortunately one of them is the cd drawer is stuck hopefully just needs a nudge. i am going to pop the cover off tomorrow and have a look. if i can get it to open, ill definitely give that a try and report back. I have changed belts on a 490t. The belt can stick, especially on a 490t that has been out of use for some time. Check THIS thread and other linked ones in it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslan7 954 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Awesome set up Vin!...and thanks for posting pics so fast. Great to have you on board the Carver Express where we love all things Audio (& even video)--especially BobFather creations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues Pwr 765 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the site glad you found us and decided to join in on the fun.............. Might I suggest a C-11 instead of a C-1, they are basically the same its just that the C-11 is black and a better color match to your other equipment. Also our techs can refresh either one back to original specs. and or perform the BillD modification if you wish and even add a volume remote control. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin 6 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the site glad you found us and decided to join in on the fun.............. Might I suggest a C-11 instead of a C-1, they are basically the same its just that the C-11 is black and a better color match to your other equipment. Also our techs can refresh either one back to original specs. and or perform the BillD modification if you wish and even add a volume remote control. Thanks. Honestly, I thought maybe I was silly but having a silver component in this set would keep me up at night lol. I have been browsing all the carver pre-amp on eBay, would I be nuts to get another ct-17? There is a seller on there that has one that says everything works perfectly. I am tempted to keep it how my dad set it up. Are c-11 models rare? I don't see a single one for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,398 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin. There are a few members who have tried repairing CT17 models without success so it would probably be wise to avoid that unit. The C-11 is definitely more rare than the C-1. The C-1 had a longer production run, from 1980-88 whereas the C-11 ran from 89-91. I think you would find a refurbed C-1/C-11 a step up from the CT17 in terms of sound quality and it is much less complicated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbini 6,138 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Howdy Vin and welcome to the forum. Thanks for introducing yourself and posting some pix. Sounds like the tray drive belt on your 490t is slipping which is not unusual for an older CDP. As a temporary "fix" remove the cover, push out the tray, insert your CD and it should load. If it doesn't load push the tray back in and press play. Belt size is listed HERE. For more info about changing the belt read SD/A 490t door won't open. Good luck getting your system working! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAT 1,840 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Love the turntable! Welcome. I've been trying to buy one of those arms to no avail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin 6 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin. There are a few members who have tried repairing CT17 models without success so it would probably be wise to avoid that unit. The C-11 is definitely more rare than the C-1. The C-1 had a longer production run, from 1980-88 whereas the C-11 ran from 89-91. I think you would find a refurbed C-1/C-11 a step up from the CT17 in terms of sound quality and it is much less complicated. Thank you for your advice. Any idea what a fair price for a working c-11 would be currently? I found one listed (not even sure if he would ship) but wants $250. That sound normal? (jump or be patient) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG 2,846 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 That seems like a fair to average price! The C-11 does cost more than the c-1. I have seen them higher. They do not show up very often, so if it were me, and was wanting it, I would for it! Be advised though, many of us are enablers to the affliction known as OCCD! And it seems you are well on your way to joining us! OCCD is Obcessive Carver Collecting Disorder! Have a great day! BarryG 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesMan57 1,306 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the forum Vin. Glad to have you. Great looking system. Thanks for sharing..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldtexasdog 2,363 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin. Look foward to your post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea 656 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the forum Vin. It is great to see you trying to resurrect your Dad's system. I can understand the desire to keep it as he had it. However, I agree that the C11 is a much better Pre amp. Having said that, I do have a CT17 that I recently bought from the original owner with original box and remote. It is very good condition. I will work a deal with you on it. Send me a PM if you are interested. Again, welcome, Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ar9Jim 5,989 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin.. Great gear you have. Thanks for sharing the story and pics.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massastan 50 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome aboard. Just keep going vertical to save space http://www.chicagoaudio.org/our-next-event.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluefan 31 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the Carver Site V.... very nice system! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchitch 3,970 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome to the site! There are many enablers here: In March of this year I didn't own one Carver amp... Now I have NINE! Itch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytag 795 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin. Endless information and help here. The site goes down every so often but that is being fixed soon so just keep trying. Be careful- Carver ownership can be overpowering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockslipper 17 Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Welcome Vin-- I have a CT-17 that I bought new back in 1990. It has occasionally had the same problem with a right or left channel dropping. The problem is likely oxidation of the pins/sockets on one or more of the several small cable connectors in the front right of the unit just inboard of the volume control knob. As far as the inputs other than the AUX, I have had excellent service from Roland at Hi Tech Audio repair out in Oregon. I'd bet he could refurbish it--pricing is on his website. The CT-17 is quite complicated/compact inside and I think I'd let an expert help. I don't have experience with the C-1 or C-11 so I don't have any basis for comparison, but FWIW, I really like the sound of my CT-17 paired with my M500t. I'm currently in the process of upgrading the M500t to the MkII configuration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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