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Hello all. I recently acquired some carver gear. An M500t amp and a TFM 35 amp. Looking for some direction on the M500. I understand it’s a dual voltage unit using low and high voltages on the rails. My issue is the relay doesn’t close upon power up. I’m leaning toward the op amp or something in that circuit. All the rectifiers check out good but I’m only getting around 30v on the low V side. Not the 40v it’s showing in the manual. The relay is good as I have supplied 24v to the coil to test it. I know these amps are different than most I’ve worked on but I’m ready to tackle this one. Thanks in advance for any input and I look forward to interacting with all of you. Cheers.

G'day all. Repaired a few Carvers over the many many years ago without schematics,and always wondered how some of them ticked. Testing PM 1.5 into 4 Ω was done by going to a charity shop , buying used electric kettles (jugs) adjusting them around till I measured about 3.8 -3.9 Ω filling them with water plugged into a 6 way power board as a dummy load. Still use a similar arrangement for some of the Sub Bins and heads that I rebuild, (2 ohm parallel voice coils, really, are you serious)? So , why am I here? to read other peoples stories and get some manuals to muse over and go, ah ha, of course bob. Rgds John

Hello Carver People! I am a new member to The Carver Site. I bought my first Carver gear while stationed in San Vito Italy while in the USAF. At the time @ 1988, was the C-1 Preamp and M500T power amp. I had sold that gear to buy a Sumo Audio Athena Preamp and Andromeda II power amp. I had issues with the Sumo amp and smoked the left channel and burned the board, could not get a replacement. I sold it for parts, then sold the working Athena preamp. Over the years, I then delved into the AV scene and bought a Denon3802 AV receiver. While it been OK, I have always want my Carver gear back. So with that said, I have my crosshairs on a M500T local and shopping for another preamp. I regret selling the original gear, but there is still time to turn the boat! Thanks to all for chuckling at my story. I bet there are others out there that can relate! Best Regards!

Newbee here,,,,, looking forward to learn what all this site is about. Had a Carver system 25 years ago ,,,,, now putting several Carver systems together for my own enjoyment,,,,, hope I'm not to late LOL🤕

Just saying hi, I run a carver m 500t asy amplifier for a pair of Klipsch cf3. It's the best amp I've owned so far!

Hello to everyone ,I would like say Thank you to everyone here , it is because of you I have a modded , recapped and working Carver C1 and TFM15CB. Thanks

Just joined up. Looking forward to checking out the forums. I have owned my Carver Original Amazing Loudspeakers since April 1987. I was told they were the first pair purchased in my state. I also have several other pieces of Carver gear. Thanks for leting me join.

Greetings thecarversite members! I had joined about ten years ago when I was busy restoring my dad's old MXR-130 reciever and needed technical advice. My account was likely deactivated due to non- use as life situations changed pretty dramatically for me then. But I'm back and so is my focus on my home audio equipment! John from Massachusetts.

I've owned a Carver 2000 and JBL 240TI's since 1985. EE with electronics and computer experience. (Audio and TV repair 1965-1972). HP for 30 years. Audio interests started in 1963. Will be re-capping the Amp. Already solved some other aging issues. (Debounced the Sonic button and cleaned up the glue from the caps). Will order two of the MA-615A and PS-615A cap kits on eBay. Basically, it all still works. I have taken the time to OCR the parts manual to Word and convert to Excel. Turned out good. Will share if anyone wants it. Not fully clear on some of the crazy cap values (Metallized Film). Web searches have fallen short and Carver manual does not cover them all. Lee

“Should I perhaps try to explain for you with some hackneyed phrase how and why experiencing beauty can make life meaningful? I prefer to confine myself to the following thought experiment: imagine that you are sitting in a concert hall and listening to your favorite symphony, and your favorite bars of the symphony resound in your ears, and you are so moved by the music that it sends shivers down your spine; and now imagine that it would be possible (something that is psychologically so impossible) for someone to ask you in this moment whether your life has meaning. I believe you would agree with me if I declared that in this case you would only be able to give one answer, and it would go something like: ‘It would have been worth it to have lived for this moment alone!’” Writing in Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything, Victor Frankl speaks with "passionate life-tested conviction to the two great pillars of aliveness that had helped him survive the Holocaust and that help so many of us, even in circumstances far less life-threatening, survive our lives — music and the natural world."

Hello all, My name is Douglas Thompson I am an ISCET certified electronics technician. I live in Tacoma Washington. I have been working on electronic gear for over three decades. I was teaching electronics theory at Clover Park technical College for over 4 years, and I was a field warranty technician for Carver for around 6 years. I still have and work on alot of these amplifiers every week. I am at the moment working on a pm1.5t that the entire fan assembly is missing, so I am trying gto find one to put in it.l

New here. I've had a Carver system for years, but I'm going to need some help from the seasoned vets to keep it going! Sonic Holography HR-752 (amplification bypassed) TFM-25 MFP amplifier TDR 2400 Cassette deck TLM-3600 10 disc CD player Polk Audio RTA 11t tower speakers

Greetings. Thanks for the add. My dad owned a burglar and fire alarm company from the 70s - early 90s. In addition to installing alarms in high end homes, he installed Hi Fi on the side. We always had a bitchin sound system in the house growing up. I remember him playing discs (not compact, but the size of vinyl) way back in the day. Then we had CDs way before most even knew what they were. Well he passed away a few years ago and I've come across some of the stuff... Like others, I inherited my dad's carver stack: C-2 preamp, M-1.5t amp and m-200t amp. They haven't been used in many years. I'm wanting to hook up a Pioneer record player to listen to vinyl in the house. First, some guidance on connecting everything up would be great. Can I use both the M-1.5t & the M-200t? Or is it one or the other, not both. If that's the case, which do you suggest? Next my volume control seems corroded. I've tried spraying CRC Electronic Cleaner and turning the knob, but it's ineffective - lots of cracking and R speaker comes and goes. Should I try something else? Is there a replacement? Thanks for the help.

You bet, picking up the M500t on Tuesday! Post one!

Hi, I am the owner of Infinity IRS Beta as well as other Infinity speakers. I am contemplating Genesis II

I kept my volume pot when I upgraded my C2 with a motorized/remote control volume. You are welcome to have it. But there are many access points open that pot to get some cleaner in there.

Yes, the dial controls in most audio equipment are potentiometers and commonly referred to as simply 'pots' Pots will generally be sealed to try and keep dust out, but most inexpensive pots still have some small openings where you can get in some cleaner. Here's an example - the straw on your cleaner can sometimes sneak in a little opening like where the red arrow is (and sometimes there are small openings on the back): The better pots are usually sealed to keep all dust and dirt out. These usually are meant to be replaced when they have a problem, but if you're skilled like @Eyexlr8 is, you can often carefully disassemble and clean them. Here's a completely sealed pot for comparison to the above:

That is a problem for many sealed pots. Simply no way to get to the tracks to clean them. This PSE studio 1 had 3 expensive noble cast aluminum pots ,2 in the tone control circuit plus volume The balance control had a open area on the side for access but in most cases you have to unsolder many pots and take them apart and open them up to do it properly

You need to test TP 1 to TP 2 - NOT to ground… same with 3 & 4.

Looking forward to sharing knowledge and ideas. I’m retired EE with a passion for Phase linear Amps. Some day would like to own either 700 II or Dual 500. Bought a 400 series I and II many years ago (1990’s) Both blew fuses so needed output transistors. Could find the PL909’s do used any old non To3 the local shop had. Kept blowing fuses after a while. Got smarter as I got older and ordered M15024’s mixed with PLs. Finally went to all 12 15024 in each amp which resulted in better stability. Tried to bias the amp and shorted/exploded a low Ohm resistor across the back of the T03 connector with the VOM probe. Replaced it and now waiting to unbox it all after moving and starting again. Oh well!

Here is a thread you can check out on the C2

Welcome sir... What I've owned and what I've divorced. What a lot of stuff. I remember slamming the door on my old truck that had screwed me so many times and cost me so much money, that when I arrived at the car dealership I said, "We're Divorced! Don't call!" as I slammed the door shut. Kind of like stereo huh? I've burned up speakers right in my living room and smoked amps on the bench, but to be fair, I have also owned some precious gear in my day. Most of it gone, but just the experience and memories were worth it all. Yah, to have back of what was best.

Hey all! Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm working on four (4) systems, 2 have three (3) TFM 55's sledge hammers for the bang and umph, one has a CT-29V and the other has a CT-28V for directing traffic. The third has three TFM-45 high head room bangers, it has a C-16 for directing traffic and the purpose is to well,,,, see how it performs against the other two,,,, blame Roland for that lol The later is umm,,,, well and please don't be upset, is a bit of a hodge-podge to be honest. Basically its an old Toshiba mini system that's in the process of getting two (2) TFM-35 framing hammers fitted to it to replace the tired amps that came with it

Bob Baldwin, Brazil Chill

Welcome to the site!! Nice post on the 15cb meter repair.

Miles Davis Freddie Freeloader

I promised this a while back, and actually completed it in October with my audio buddy Travis. The initial question - What sounds better, SACD or DVD Audio? I happen to have three (3) different albums in both formats, AND I have all three on CD (FLAC) as well. I will start by saying that this sounds like a fun challenge, but I assure you, it was anything but. I found it difficult, annoying, and frustrating AND it had the added bonus of pretty much burning me out on these albums. In fact, I was so annoyed with the whole challenge that I neglected to even write it up here. Then a couple days ago, @MLB111 kindly inquires about the results. Shit. I suppose I should publish them, if for no other reason that to dissuade anyone else from venturing down this path. To make matters worse, I cannot locate my original notes - but I can remember a lot of it, so I enlisted my son’s help (he’s just getting in to the hobby, and starting to learn the ins and outs of high quality audio). I’m going to break it up into 3 parts - one for each album, mainly because it’s tedious and exhausting, as you’ll soon see. The system - Oppo 105 to BillD C1 to Silver 9t pair, to NHT 2.9 speakers. Kimber and MIT ICs, and MIT Terminator 4 speaker cables. The album - The Nightfly, by Donald Fagen - SACD, DVDA, FLAC. Whenever I do something like this, with media OR gear, I tend to listen to the overall presentation of course, but for the real substantive measures, I tend to focus in on the smallest, most subtle details I can find in the recording, and compare those details - wether it be between speakers, amps, or in this case, SACD and DVDA. * I cannot stress this point enough before I continue - the differences between these discs (SACD & DVDA) are so subtle and so slight that even identifying them was exceedingly painstaking. Further, these differences would most likely NEVER manifest in normal listening and comparison * For Nightfly, I found the most differences in two tracks: Track #1, I.G.Y., and track #5, New Frontier. #1, I.G.Y. = at the 52 second mark, right as the intro ends, and the trumpet fades and the vocals start, there is a very slight cymbal that is completely different that the prior cymbal cadence. It’s one strike, slightly left of center and a couple feet behind the speaker plane. The same cymbal strike happens again at 1:25, 2:10, and a few more times later in the track (sorry, I didn’t feel like listing them all). This cymbal is more prominent in the DVDA. It is a bit more “buried” in the SACD version, and not as defined. At the 2:08 mark, there is a snappy bass “flurry”. The SACD presents this with a tiny bit more “pop”, and a better “edge” the the string plucks. As I listened to this track for perhaps the 20th time in this sitting (ugh), I turned to my son half way through and said “is that a tambourine ?” I have listened to this track many times in the past, and I don’t EVER remember a tambourine. Back to the start of the track, and sure enough, no tambourine. It actually comes in at the 1:28 mark. It’s subtle, and EASILY mistaken for a cymbal. The DVDA does a better (slightly) job of defining the individual cymbal-ettes (?) around the circumference of the tambourine than does the SACD. #5, New Frontier = At 1:30 (and again at 2:40) there is a distinctly different guitar sound solid.y in the left channel. It’s tone is so different that it is almost distracting. The SACD did a better job of blending this into the overall presentation - However I’m not positive that’s a good thing, so take it for what it’s worth. In the intro, there is a cowbell in the percussion. On the DVDA, it sounds more like a cowbell - on the SACD, it lacks some of the “metallic” overtones, rendering it almost more like a wood block, than a cowbell. There is also a harmonica solidly in the right channel in the intro. On the DVDA, this harmonica is considerably more forward and distinguishable. On the SACD, it is markedly buried in the mix of other sounds in the right side of the soundstage - THIS is the most significant difference in the two discs. Overall, the edge here goes to the DVDA - the subtleties noted above, and a very slight edge in overall clarity and separation of the many instruments is the reason I feel the SACD comes up ever so slightly short. Again, I cannot stress the small measures here - it literally took hours to determine the differences. As for CD and/or FLAC, the differences there are significant - width of sound stage, detail in the specifics listed above, and overall dynamics give a clear edge the either of the high res formats over CD or FLAC.

These cheaper and smaller volume controls usually have poor channel to channel tracking due to the smaller carbon track and smaller wipers in comparison to the bigger blue Alps pots. If you have the room for it I would replace it like Rob has done You can also carefully bend the tabs back and take it apart for inspection and sometimes they just go bad since these have the highest mechanical wear in the entire electronic food chain

Welcome! The good news is that you can still get these components, they are serviceable, and there are a couple of good shops that will make them better-than-new for you.

Hey folks, Old timer here saying hello. I was a member here many years ago but I think my account was purged when I wasn’t active for a while. Most of my involvement here centered around a pair of Amazing Plats that I was trying to source new ribbons for…. Which never happened and the speakers were sold. Later I played with a pair of Originals, which lasted a while before being replaced by a more manageable box speaker. (Picture attached). My gear gets changed around fairly frequently, stuff comes and goes at a scary rate. While I’ve owned Carver gear on and off over the years, all I have presently is an old CT7 that never gets used and a little Crimson 75 that I picked up a couple weekends ago that’s in need of a repair. Anyway, howdy and have a good weekend. Carl

Guys. I just listed this amp on eBay. I’ve been kinda laid up following a surgery at the end of last year and just didn’t have time or energy to deal with it. I’ve a bunch of stuff going on so decided to list it yesterday if anyone is interested. I’ve no idea what it’s worth so I just pulled a number out of my hat.

Four80East, En Route (album)

If you have cleaned the volume pot and it still crackles or you have channel drop out you probably need to clean the balance pot. I am no expert, but I use fader lube on pots and contact cleaner on switches. Both caig deoxit.

"This couple bought a rundown abandoned house for $1.5 million and plan to make it their forever home: Take a look inside...While cleaning out the home, they found some of the original furniture, old photos of what the house looked like before, and a record player that was hooked up to speakers all over the house. Volkov found that discovery pretty exciting. 'Imagine having a house back in the day and you could play music everywhere in it from a record player,' he says. 'The record player was still there when we bought the house, so that was really cool.'" https://apple.news/AjoyndHDJQOms8_wEhzSNXQ 😎 🔊

He! Spoken by a true Pilot…

I remember the day and all the music we would listen to some needs help and show me how to set it up if any one is cool about the help at my house in eastern washington

Thanks again for the warm welcome, Everyone. Here are more details and pictures. The TLM-3600 is out of rotation due to malfunction. Sonic Holography Receiver HR-752 MFP Amplifier TFM-25 TDR-2400 Dual Cassette Deck TLM-3600 10 Disc CD Player Tascam CD-RW900 Mk II Yamaha YP-701 TT (Ortofon 15XE MK II) Polk Audio RTA 11t Tower Speakers

Oh I hope not. I am a full on vinyl guy but I have at least a couple hundred CD's that I love listening to.

First being a consumer of audio products myself before being a dealer and later a partner with Bob, I've seen it all. I had no idea how deep seated the snakes were in audio. Honestly, you couldn't make it up. This is not a rant. It's just advice to consider when spending your money and seeking the best for you. Most often, people of means to buy these limited production products, did not gain their wealth by spending foolishly and value is still appreciated. Having owned an aerospace manufacturing company for decades and accustomed to one of the most regulated industries on earth, audio is truly a wild west of conflicting information and deception for a consumer to attempt to navigate in order to spend their money wisely. IMHO this is really sad and consumers deserve better. It's destructive to the niche market for these products for both companies and consumers, IMHO. This post is not meant to discourage people from entering the hobby, but more as a guild to hopefully save consumers the frustration and expense that comes with being educated by industry snakes and lab rats. If a company won't let you audition their audio product without restocking fees, I suggest you walk away. Don't fall into the BS of listening for chocolate in a wire or the premise that a designer chasing specs like SINAD provides a higher quality listening experience. There is no free lunch in audio design. Some of the best measuring products come and go like the wind. More often than not, companies get great reviews in the pay to play world of food flavor adjectives, hear by number and sci-fi physics, only to fail in the actual market when compared directly to others making music. You have likely noticed the brand of the month in audio publications. Every month there is a new brand that is a game changer with either an improved number or richer chocolate, to prevent the consumer from finding contentment and to keep buying more, chasing an illusion of improved audio based in words and charts of very limited value to the customer in making their decision. What are the snakes? Snakes are products with no basis in science. The list is long. Companies actually invent products and create a market for problems that don't actually exist. This is really sad. Physicist and real engineers, like those from regulated industries in which snake oil is called aerospace fraud, with lives a stake, are laughing at the snakes in the industry, I can assure you. This is damaging to a great industry made up of mostly passionate people busting their butts to deliver a more pleasing experience and overall value for the customers they are loyal to. Snakes do not care about the customer, they want the customers money and do as little as possible to provide actual value to the customer. If the company is telling you what you will hear, and not offering a trial offer without needing a restocking fee from you. Think about it before spending your hard earned cash. Talk is cheap. Make them earn your money without risk to you. Sonic results talk. Tell the BS to walk. What are lab rats? Lab rats are at the other end of the spectrum. These are those claiming to have truth and standing in judgment based on simplistic numbers as a representation of customer value. The lab rats steer customers based on absurd claims and ranking of products, claiming that a number like SINAD further below audibility equals a better value for the customer. Numbers don't lie right? Recommending or discouraging customer purchases with this entirely erroneous perspective, is possibly more damaging to the hobby than the snakes. The value to the consumer is less than worthless. So what can a consumer do to get beyond the extremist at both ends of this spectrum disorder? Hear for yourself. Don't believe any salesman selling science fiction physics or a guy playing a BS game of SINAD of 120 will sound better than 100, and taking a poll based on followers who read his numbers.. Don't follow, lead. If the SINAD game was audio reality, they would show up at audio shows and put everyone else to shame. Here again, if a lab rat is trying to tell you what you will hear based on a numbers game, don't believe them until you hear for yourself. They are no more credible than the snakes, just a different angle on their game of leveraging misunderstanding. In no way am I saying believe me, if fact I'm saying don't believe me. What I am saying, is hear audio for yourself. Audio and hearing are inseparable. Fundamentally, you can not read about it with enough relevance to make a good decision. If you can't hear a product without a restocking fee, the company already knows they have trouble competing in the cold hard realty of the customers system in their home driving a wide variety of loudspeakers. We call it The Carver Amplifier Challenge. Step right up snakes and lab rats. We have a trap set for both of you that offers the customer 100% satisfaction by helping consumers sort through this maze of misinformation. Regardless of the brand they choose to purchase, a happy customer will result from the value offered by one outstanding designer or another. The customer and industry will be better off. Honestly, lets save the consumers the endless confusion and let them hear audio products for themselves at home, without taking money from them if they choose another brand. $799 or $24,999, don't charge them 10-15% to experience your product at home making music compared to ours. This industry has been in contraction for more than 30 years. Putting the customer first, may slow the contraction of the hobby from within caused by both the extremist snakes and lab rat deception. Make companies waive their restocking fee in writing so you can hear the truth for yourself without losing money. I've been working with the owner (Bob Carver himself) just over 2 years now. We do not play games with the customers money. A good competition driving loudspeakers in the customers home is fair enough. This educates the customers by experience, being of far more value than the confusion being sold by both the snakes and the lab rats. Jim Clark Director of Operations Bob Carver LLC.. CEO BC Audio LLC.. 4563 Hydraulic Rd Rockford, IL, 61109 jim@bobcarvercorp.com