AndrewJohn

Welcome back @Ratamahatta

Welcome to the site, @Scottu4. Glad you found us.

Lots to look at, when considering. Pics help..., Generally, both these preamps have the potential to turn "purple-ish" due to what many believe to be a reaction to Ammonia-based cleaners (like Windex)..., seem to turn the faceplates purple. That won't hurt the function, just looks funny, and should negotiate the price, accordingly. I've had both the C-19 and the C-16 and prefer the C-16. The C-16 has Sonic holography, the C-19 does not - if that makes a difference to you. Both are fine components. Both benefit from being refreshed since by now, consumable components like capacitors have reached the end of their expected lifespan. Beware that the C-19, while it has tubes, is not a "Tube Preamp." The tubes are in the output stage and the phono-stage as a tube buffer. If you are into Vinyl, you may like that latter part, but if you don't do vinyl at all, then there may be less value. Granted, the C-19 is the TOL, the top of the line, and looks great matched with a TFM-75 in your rack!! 😉 And does a great job as a Preamp. You won't lose if you get a good deal and want to resell ... that is if the good deal is not above market price (whatever someone is willing to pay). While I let my C19 go, I often think of getting another one. But for now, I'm happy with the C-16. And like it's different controls. I have a Musical Fidelity Tube Buffer in the processor loop..., which also is something you can do. @Nahash5150on the Nelion website has a good description of how the tubes work in the C-19 - an ostensibly solid-state preamp- here: Carver C-19 full restore - Carver Preamplifiers - Nelion Audio

Welcome to the group, @kevd16 Glad you found us. That MXR 150 is held dear to many of us as office or garage systems..., super unit. You'll also find a good number of parts for it. Les, @Circuits & Concepts a member here, runs an ebay store "Circuits and Concepts" (that's also his handle here) that has a good number of available parts, as you get into your project. Go direct, he often covers shipping for members? (don't quote me on that...) by sending a PM on this site. Skip the Ebay fees for you and him. Consider starting a thread !!, and document your work for the next guy..., And, there are some threads here - use the Search button, to see what others have done with that receiver.

Welcome, @Riverside.Guy, glad you found us !!

Oh, yes, to have an original. I had that unit, the box, instructions and goofy little brush thingy that was to hold the D4 solution in the handle..., but for me seemed to fall out. I don't know where it went after I got out of college. Probably loaned it to a roommate, and never got it back. The good news is that RCA purchased/acquired the brand..., and still produces and sells a modified kit... (storage pouch, not a box, handle is solid, can't put the bottle inside the handle, and the cleaning brush is different... the bad news is that the solution hasn't changed much..., D4+? I think that means it comes in a spray bottle? 😉 There are a number of nearly identical knock-offs for this very successful approach to cleaning records... EVEO, Big Fudge Vinyl Record Kit, Record Rescue, Opula, Allsop Orbitrac 3, Groove Washer G2, Fluance, Kaiu, and of course, Vinyl Buddy... (no kidding, there must not be a patent on this thing..., and RCA only acquired/licensed the logo and brand? Who knows...). I always wiped the nap in reverse direction of to clean the dust off mine, anyway..., didn't use that brush much. The unit I use is one I picked up used on Ebay..., one of the high-end complete kits with a Zero Stat...

Watched this, Father Stu, this past weekend. Based on a true story. With epilogues from the real Father Stu at the end. Pretty interesting. Not your over-sensationalized, violent get your attention type of movie..., much more subtle. Stars in addition to Mark Wahlbert, include Jackie Weaver (you'll recognize her) Mel Gibson, and Macolm McDowell. I did not know the story before I watched the film. I did not know where it was going until it took us there, watching it. Wahlberg and a few others have started a film company focused on making more movies like this - off the "usual Hollywood shoot-em-up or sensationalized social-media, or woke, or sex extreme, or make the most money...," approach. I give him credit for that.

Welcome, @Dzkfraser. Glad you found us. This site is a bit different than AK..., you will find - and likely to your liking !! "down side of life..." a few here will take issue - it's likely the "upside of life !! " Now with time freed up to pursue the most important. Welcome !!

These two pictures epitomize the point of "what sounds good" vs "any other way to design audio..." they show Bob using the "best test instrument ever designed by a higher power..., the human ear!" His tried and true "design philosophy." I can't recall/find the thread here on TCS! (or, was it the other site, now all gone?) where these were originally posted. I archived them for some reason at the time... they are of Bob, back in 2015 or so, doing the "does it sound good" evaluation of the CarverFest 2015 speaker build that James Sauter et. al., developed, produced, and shipped to attendees and non-attendees. I presume they are final tuning of the crossovers, evaluation of best height for the stands, etc., etc. If anyone else recalls the details of the photos, who actually took them (for proper credits), and what Bob is finalizing - please pipe in here. Some old-timers here on C! and CarverFest attendees from 2015 (I was not one but do have two pair of the speaker kits) will remember these snapshots.

This is an interesting and important thing..., putting authors like Isaacson and Brands on the case. And, what a perfect, opportunity for "experts" to put the true research of a lifelong endeavor (still going on today) to produce audio technology that focuses on "how it sounds" over "how it measures resistors" out there to debunk the self-proclaimed "do-gooders." focused on numbers, and not sound. What incredible Irony. And, such authors, with credibility, and the following of the Carver (and carver-like) masses, could document a last-stake defense in the heart of the monsters. To really put "truth" over the "narcissistic con" that these purveyors of "resistor measurement" (a la ASR, Bottleneck, and their blind lemming-like followers) have injected into, resulting in such horrid damage to, this hobby. Bob always took the high road, his entire life. Connecting these dots, the interface between physics and understanding the yin and yang, or the balance of what makes "good sound," would be such a wonderful read. The life's story, the path, the decisions, the ability to stay above the fray, not engage with the pundits..., almost a life's lesson book - intertwined with Audio engineering for "how it sounds." Maybe it would even make a NYT Best Seller! As I think about it, and after just reading "The Perfect Sound," by Garrett Hongo, (as an example) I think there may be room for more than one biography, and life's path, book around this good vs. evil story of the Audio Hobby.

Agreed. I'll buy a few copies. @Ar9Jim knows more. 😉

Ruh Roh..., I have a black faceplate on my CT-7. 😉 Anyone need one?

That's excellent, @Rob One thing I found with my Polk SDAs, is that they sound best backed up against a wall with a little breathing room on the left and right for reflections. I tried them in a number of arrangements in my 22x24 foot room, and when pulled away from the back wall, they sounded bad (to my ears). You are going to love these. !

Welcome @Firmani99 you found the right place. And, you will be amazed when you get your amps back... What speakers are you driving?

I'm not sure where you are located..., but Nelion is just on the other side of Lake Michigan, north of Grand Rapids, MI. I'm west of Chicago in the far west burbs. I've always shipped FedEx to Nelion, that amp in a FedEx 23x17x12 box you pack with a sheet of pink styrofoam insulation cut to give 2+" of bullet-proof packing, should ship for about $60 one way (plus the cost of the box and styro which Greg @Nahash5150will typically reuse for the return trip). If I had time and needed another amp done, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it. ...just a thought.

@Earsons3, Take @itchitch's advise. The C500 is the first amp to come out of Carver Corp, after Bob Carver sold Phase Linear. I have a couple of them, and like them. They are not magnetic field, but just a heavy iron, transformer, and transistor style amp resembling the PL 400, but with more transistors. They sound great, and put out some good power. I like the LED level meters! ... as for Deltronics. Some guidance for you - proceed with your eyes open. 1. ONLY go to the Woodridge, IL location. Do not go to the downtown location. 2. Ask for Mike. And talk to him, and no one else. Mike will know what it's going to take to fix, and he's a fair guy. The other techs at Deltronics don't know anything about Carver gear and will have to ask Mike what to do anyway. Best to go to Mike directly. 3. Their focus is fixing Band equipment (amps, keyboard instruments, etc.) They are not focused at all on audio. 4. Their approach is to "fix" what is broken - and get your Band back out on the road, playing gigs. 5. They are NOT an audio refresh and restore shop. 6. That means that what is broken, will be fixed, but something else might break in a day, week, month, or year? What do you need for your C-500 amps? Get them fixed so you can flip/sell them off? Deltronics may make sense for that. But, if you are trying to refresh something for your long-term use, or to get great music/sound out of - take the time, save your money up, and send them to Nelion, and get them fully restored. I have gone to Mike / Deltronics and have had success on "fix" projects. Mike is a good guy and will help you. Just go in with your eyes open and understanding that their business is about keeping performing bands on the road, doing gigs, and making money - different business, and different business model than repairing Carver Audio Gear for Carver enthusiasts to enjoy for a second lifetime. Also, as for the direct line to Bob Carver - without going into detail here - the link in the chain back to Bob from Deltronics is no longer in the picture. So, I can't give you any info on that. What I will say is that Mike is a good tech, and will fix a broken amp for you. I hope that is helpful.

Welcome @kittoartista and @Rodango Glad you found us. Looking forward to more stories about your audio journey..., trials and tribulations along the way... It's not a destination, it's a journey, never over until the very end.

Everything presents an opportunity! Looks like you have this figured out, @Rob 😉 I go to work every day, with an un-dated resignation letter at the ready..., hoping I get some signal to just friggin' quit. Played it out in my head a hundred times or more. Are those SDA 1C's I have the same project. My Polk SDA 1C's are functionally mint, internals are completely redone. I just need to redo the wood base and top, and redo the grill cloth to make them perfect. What Carver amp do you find drives them best?

Welcome, @737Viper. glad you found us. that is an awesome set-up, and as it is yours, with original provenance, makes it very special. We love "pictures!" looking forward to how you like the sound, once it is refreshed in December.

Thanks for the update, Jim. I can't wait to hear these again..., Wasn't this the amp in the demo room at AXPONA a couple months ago?

Welcome @bobpep. Glad you found us. With that pedigree, please take time to start a thread and document your restoration of your M500. it's always good to have a new restore thread, that people can learn from - and share bits of history and wisdom on your journey. Again, welcome ! That's a great amp to have and you'll love it!

Welcome @Faust. You found the right place. And... You chose the right amp. The TFM-35 predates the "x" version..., and the gain on the front faceplate is desirable. The "x" dropped the gain, and added THX certification..., no one needs the latter..., and there may be some other value to the older version with the gain. Keep us posted, and share some pictures as you progress on your journey to evolving your rig.

Welcome, Michele. Glad you found us. Can't wait to see a post with pictures of your gear ! Nice gear !!

Welcome @cerglabs. Best advice to learn from history, is to use "search" on the site..., there is a TON of project history for many amps on this site. Then, as you do your project, start a thread in the right section, and build the knowledge base from your experience. Thanks for joining, welcome to the site !!