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Hello all! Joined last year but finally getting around to introducing myself and spending more time on this forum. I discovered and fell in love with Bob Carver's equipment in University (late '90's, so VERY late to the game). My first introduction was my first proper HT system I bought myself in my first house. There was a a JVC RX-8000VBK receiver powering an AR Stature series 5.1 set-up with S50 fronts, SC2 centre and S20 surrounds on stands. My first Sunfire product was a True Subwoofer II paired with this set-up. First time I'd heard a reasonable soundstage and thundering bass. The Subwoofer eventually blew-up but I wasn't deterred. Built my next house, but started planning for my audio set-ups. Before taking possession of the new home, I started collecting the pieces for a 7.2.4 HT set-up. Picked up a used Cinema Seven to run the primary 7 speakers. 3 x new Sunfire CRW-3C speakers run vertically for my LCR. 2 x new Sunfire CRM-2BIP for surrounds. 2 x new Sunfire HRS-12 subwoofers. 6 x Klipsch CDT-2800-C II for in-ceiling ATMOS and rear speakers. Last, A Marantz SR7010 for the brains and to power the ATMOS speakers. Built the house, incorporating the wiring and built-in spaces for in-wall speakers. Meanwhile, I'd planned to have a dedicated 2 channel set-up in my living room instead of a tv. I actually called it the 'Critical Listening Room' on the floorpans. So, I started searching for a Sunfire Classic Tube Pre-Amp (with phono and remote) and a Sunfire 300 x 2 Stereo amp in the used market. Took time, and was very lucky on the pre-amp, but found both. Tied these to a new Sunfire CRM-2 set matched with a SubRosa 2700W on the wall subwoofer. Finally, was able to find the matching stands for the CRM-2 speakers in the used market. That's my story.

This looks like a great site! I bought my first piece of Carver gear back in 1982 and have always been a fan. I currently have a C1 preamp, TX11a tuner, m500t and m1.0t amps for my normal system. On my spares rack I have two MXR -130’s (one is dead), C9 hologram generator, TX1-11 ACC FM decoder, and a DTL200 CD player (dead). I plan to try to fix the dead receiver and potentially do some upgrades on other gear. Looking forward to using this site!

I have had the fortunate opportunity to restore and troubleshoot great amplifiers from the 1940’s to current technologies. I have also worked on a few Carvers and enjoy the access to proper information. Please know I am looking forward to using this forum to help keep the Carver name thriving Thank you for accepting yours and my own time to help out others in need of good technical help .

Found this searching the inter webs. I certainly don’t agree with many on the list (Tracy Chapman, Billie Elish, etc) BUT they DID get a few right - (Private Investigations, The Chain, Flight of the Cosmic Hippo…) https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/03/best-audiophile-songs-test-speakers/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI7DW9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR2scdh4F4al5VNEbM-Qjtr9p3xT9iMb2PsVPYyjSRto-oGOxP9NGuwbuA_aem_c-QRHFgd9NJUy1ArtUGq_w

I finally finished the project after almost a year LOL! It's working well now. Thanks Balok for the transistors suggestion, they are the ones responsible for crackle! Again thank you all.

Welcome to the site BLD2! I don't mean to sound dismissive, but it sounds like some switchology problem to me. Not to worry - those things can be damn hard to read. Sounds like you have the correct SOURCE selected if you are getting an output on the tape outputs. But if you have a Tape Monitor selected, it will not apply a source signal to the output. Just ensure ALL pushbutton switches are OUT (except Power of course) and you should be good to go. You can then change modes from there and play around with it. The manuals are in the library, accessed within the Manuals and Spreadsheets tab above. Just scroll down to the preamp section and there you will find the manuals for the c-1. That's a very popular combination you have there! Envied by many.

Finally got the amp back from Greg. I want to thank everyone here for the exceptional advice to send it to Nelion. He did a lot of work on it. Partially due to the failure, but also due to the first shop's work that was clearly less than optimal and misguided. The amplifier sounds amazing and commands those big Polks with authority. I'll post a pic of my setup shortly.

“ If you say you’re going to do something, do it! If you’re not gonna do it, don’t say you will.” -my Dad- My siblings and I (and my family) live by this code. It has served us all well.

I have had two clients inquire in just the past week reporting that their (unserviced) Sunfire amp has blown the magic smoke and needs repair. This is becoming more common. Please get the word out that Sunfires need to be serviced. If they blow smoke/catch fire the service becomes more expensive - if it's even repairable. Last year, someone sent me a burned up unrepairable TGA-5400. Gorgeous, rare amplifier...gone. So I think it's time for a reality check. Many Sunfires are too old to gamble with. They have substantial power and self-destruct rather violently - more so than I think people expect. Also, be wary of local repair shops. Sunfires are not easy to work on (even we have to use specialized equipment) and most techs out there do not understand how they work. So it's also common for us to get Sunfires that were not repaired correctly from local shops.

My grandfather: ”Never skimp on your shoes, your mattress or your tires…”

Greetings! I was given a Carver C-1 and M-500, along with a Carver tuner. I have had the C-1 professionally cleaned and gone over. Neither of the main outputs puts out sound. If I run the tape out into the M-500, it works beautifully, except no conctrol over level, obviously. The tech said everything cheched out. Any suggestions?

+1 on this. Also, you can plug a cd player into the tape 1 input and then depress the Tape 1 Monitor switch. This would confirm (or eliminate) the rotary switch as the problem.

If you have some headphones, plug them in and see if you get any output from them. It would also be a good idea to carefully look at all the switches again. Sometimes they can bind against the faceplate, look like they are more or less in the out position actually be depressed enough to cause trouble. Oh.. and get a new tech. One that will take responsibility for their work.

Eddie Money Take Me Home Tonight Needed some Ronnie Spector this morning.

This is for all the partisan News channels and whiney assed politicians. Eagles, Hell Freezes Over (album)

You can’t go wrong sending gear to @Nahash5150 (Greg). He does exactly what he says he will, and for a very reasonable price. Most importantly though, he understands how the equipment works - he doesn’t just swap parts until it works, he figures out WHY it failed in the first place, and fixes the root cause.

This is a good sounding record. Have no idea why it rotated. All of Alan Parson stuff sounds good - can't imagine what the 45 rpm might sound like.

HT first. CRW-3C's are painted to match the wall and the centre is buried behind the acoustically transparent screen, so you can't see them. Just to the left you can see one of the CRM-2BIPs and you can barely see the location of the subs to the left of the 130" screen and over top of the green theatre setting on the right. Can also see some of the Klipsch ceiling speakers. Second shot is my hidden equipment stack. The Cinema Seven and Marantz on the bottom, next shelf has whole home audio control system and 1 amp. Next shelf has 2nd whole home audio amp and a Sony UBP-X800 UHD Blu-ray player with a cable PVR, 4K Apple TV and some more whole home audio equipment on top.

Make sure the power transformer is as secure as possible. Tighten the 4 large screws on the bottom of the chassis until they are snug. If the transformer still feels loose, pop the top and tape some cardboard over the transformer top, just enough to fit under the metal cover. Or this can happen:

if you look guilty, you likely are guilty. Avoid situations where you will look guilty. My Dad.

One more from my Dad: "If a man can hold a shovel, a man can find a job." He taught that to my younger brother and I as we were entering our teens. It proved to be a good lesson on self-sufficiency and strong work ethic.

Here is an option as long as the responsibility is only with the C-1 ...... Send it Nelion Nelion Audio - Authorized Carver Repair ( @Nahash5150 ), and all your worries are over. Think about it - What repair shop offers a 3-year warranty on their work? Nelion is not a repair shop per say but a Restoration Spa that Rejuvenates and gives a Revitalizing Treatment to your beloved equipment. Carver C-1/C-11 Restore and Bill D Upgrades - Carver Preamplifiers - Nelion Audio And after the C-1 is back I would then do the amp. Carver M-500(t) mkII Restore and Upgrade - Carver Amplifiers - Nelion Audio Also ask about their custom-made shipping boxes for both units. Good luck with whatever you do!!

which input are you using? If not phono (CD player or tuner) try a different input (aux 1 or aux2). The rotary source selector switches are a known issue at the age of C1s...

Thanks for the reply...all switches are out...

Hi - New to the site and new to carver. I have a 900 receiver that needs a fuse, but I can't find the specs on the fuse anywhere. Even the service manual doesn't specify. I saw one source on line that says it's a 5A Slow-blow fuse. I'm actually at the hardware store. Help! Can anyone tell me what is the right fuse? Thanks!

Mr Parsons just released "Tales" on half speed mastered 180 gram vinyl, 2 discs, that spins at 45rpm. I think limited to only 4000 copies. I just picked up an Atmos version of "Tales" as well, and Pyramids. Saw him live a few months back, an amazing concert!

Thanks for those audio treats guys! I’ll have to do some digging and add some new tunes to last years’ AXPONA playlist.

Thanks for sharing. It's always interesting to see what selections are made for speaker testing. I would agree with some of what's posted, don't agree with some others, and will admit I don't even know some of the titles. For a lot of design work, it's mostly listening to mono pink noise. But here's a list of some actual music I work with for car audio that you might like to try: Steely Dan, "Hey Nineteen" - lots of sharp, clean hits. Tom Petty, "Learning to Fly (Live)" - At one point the crowd starts singing along and Tom's voice drops out and if the system is good, you can get a real sense of the size of the auditorium. If the system isn't that great, the soundstage sort of collapses. Bruno Mars, "24K Magic" - very wide soundstage with a lot of instruments. Very full range. Winterplay, "Billy Jean" - simple clear female vocal with an upright bass and a couple other instruments. Simpler is sometimes better. Great with Sonic Holography. Dave Brubeck Quartet, "Take Five" - Listen for the hi-hat and cymbals in intro. Cymbals are hard to record and reproduce well. This recording is very natural and instruments are well spaced. Straight no Chaser, "Homeward Bound" - all a cappella and the vocals span all the way across the stage. You should be able to hear each person singing. I think most of these can be found on YT. Here's Winterplay which I never get tired of listening to:

Thanks! Have next step thoughts, but that's only if I build another space for them. Thoughts would be Carver TFM-45 with a c1 pre powering some AR-3A's (one can dream) I do have 1 more system that I haven't mentioned. My garage set-up is my late Uncle's JVC A-X40 amp and matching JVC T-K10 tuner powering his floor standing early '80's Wharfedale speakers mounted high on the wall on very stout mounts.

Thanks! Will do.

A lot of his music is on heavy rotation in the Sk1Bum universe. Home, phone, car...

Craig Chaquico Sweet Talk

King Crimson The Night Watch

The Mike Frost Band is a local group that I love to hear live in Savannah venues. Mike is amazing on 6-string bass and likewise Lauren Meccia on alto sax. Lauren is also the music director at the University of South Carolina. If you like this tune, check out their killer album "The Mike Frost Band Live at the Red Pepper".

Tennessee Ernie Ford, 16 Tons

My powerlifting coaches (Judy and Roger Gedney - she was a world record holder, now passed away) worked out in the gym in the basement of the Salvation Army where I grew up. I hung out in the gym..., did a few things, made me feel like I was, you know, "working out", then the lifting team came in at 3:30 each day for practice, and I was still there..., Judy looked over at me and said: "There are DO-ers, and there are TALK-ers..., which one are you." I got under the squat bar as a skinny kid, realizing that I had only shown that I could "talk..." The following year I was competing and winning trophies in the ADFPA (American Drug Free Powerlifting Association).

Sold! I was going to refresh my C-1 myself and do the Bill D mod. After hearing this, I'm going to hold off on doing any of the C-1 work myself and send it to you guys. But I'll wait a few weeks after I get my M-1.0t back from your shop. I want to enjoy that for a bit.

In response to ridiculous rhetoric and claims..., to diffuse the con being played, one of the best people I worked for (CEO) with the track record to prove it, used to say: "That doesn't pass the test of least astonishment." J. Gibson He now is CEO and Chairman of a publicly traded underwater robotic drone company, turning it around from bankruptcy, they just passed NASDAQ listing requalification rules. I've been blessed to be around a lot of very smart people. I invest in the companies they lead. It's a real test, that comes from the Tech and UIX world of software and systems: A "Test of Least Astonishment" refers to a method of evaluating a statement or system-design by assessing how likely it is to surprise or confuse users based on their prior experiences and expectations, essentially checking if the system behaves in a way that aligns with what users would intuitively expect, and to call into question any predisposition statements that might gaslight an audience into low surprise and falling deeper into the con or trap.

Let neither your successes nor failures ever be due to a lack of effort Made this one up myself when raising kids.

First, the hardware is integrated with the C-1, so there's no external box. Second, this hardware is not just bluetooth, but also connects to your wi-fi so you can stream via Spotify, Apple Music, etc. And it will stream music from a NAS or PC that uses the DLNA protocol. Many home routers have a USB input, so you could connect an external USB harddrive full of music to your router USB, and this hardware will stream music from that as well. This is all done though the phone app that connects to the hardware.

One of my favorites: "Start with nothing, stop at nothing."

"Can't, is can too lazy to try." - my Dad

Your dad is a wise soul. There are two words our kids learned really fast not to say - "can't" and "bored" LOL One of my faves is from the wise green guy - "Do or do not, there is no try." ~Yoda