Ar9Jim

Similar experience here Mark. With big Carvers its common to be above the speakers power rating. Although the power is there, I doubt that I actually put power in above the speakers rating other than maybe some peak outputs. One thing for sure is that a big amp putting out high continous power into a driver that is not rated for the power level, will eventually overheat the voice coils. The coils can dissipate heat within there design limits. Go too far for too long, and the Tequila will get you in trouble. Kind of like a duty rating in a way. They can do some amazing things and fight above their weight class, but after a round or 2 you can get in trouble. Ring the bell and let them return to their corners to cool down. You can test their limits, but its important to give them a rest between rounds to let the heat dissipate and the coils cool.

Welcome Brian. Great to have you here.

Very interesting comment on the voice level change and what happens if if something isn't right.. It would be easy to write off some of the system weakness to a recording problem. After all the changes are small, and unless your an audio nut, you wouldn't even care (my wife for one). Interesting the variety and music with details that are difficult for a system to get right. Revealing/challenging music for accurate reproduction. Great recommendations guys. Thanks

Got the Film and the BBs. Have a few of the DRP label. Like those Tom Jung recordings. Seems to something relating guys named Jung with good music.

Who's it by Peck? I don't have a CS CD. Probably many Roads to hell.

I tend to listen to the same tracks repeatedly when listening to system changes and effects. It's not easy for me to bounce around to different music and recognize small changes. For me its easier to use a song that I know well and detailed. Currently I use Steely Dan- West of Hollywood, as a song to compare. It has qualities that make differences easier for me too perceive. At the beginning it has bells and lots of sparkle that are very useful details as well. The separation between kick drum and bass guitar is wonderful and the bass guy just kills it on this track. Piano, horns all great. This W of Hollywood has kick drum with a strong leading edge that has some snap or pop to it. I noticed the battery supply seemed to soften the initial attack, being the largest change over the AC supply ( not an improvement ). The battery seems quite good at longer lasting synthesizer type bass. Do you have favorite music that you use for comparison of your system changes? Over time have you found yourself with a "go to" music for this purpose?

Agree on Steely Dan for great test tracks. While playing with AC supply vs battery I'm using Steely Dan's - West of Hollywood, for the comparisons. Great song with a variety of instruments, recorded excellent. Great detail in the low end too, clear separation between kick drum and bass guitar, not blurred at all. Wife thinks I've lost my mind and keep repeating the same song.

Glad you found something better. Its not surprising that the new basic tube amp is working out better for 2 channel stereo with limited inputs. Simple is good in many cases imho.. The Sunfire is much more complicated and is in need of service at this point. If all you need is a basic preamp, its better to avoid all the extra parts and service, that a vintage receiver requires imho. They need service, even they are still technically working, they are a long ways from their best days until serviced.

Welcome Joey. Glad to have you here. I have had the C1 and 4000T Carver preamps and enjoy them. The C1 is much easier to service and the BillD mods take it to another level from stock. As far as sonic performance it is a good value. Like Old Texas Dog was saying, you will need to spend around $1500 for a vintage pre that will show an improvement over a BillD. The Sonic Hologram is a sound effect but it is based in science and is interesting to read about when you have time. Many of us are hooked on it and can't live without it. SH can be turned on and off at will.

Kawiphil, One hell of a good guy that is in Orlando is member Charlie. His nick name is Toecutter (think MadMax) and he rides a nitrous oxide injected Kawi ZX -14. Bet you guys have some things in common. On CS he is Charlie. I always enjoy talking to him and you may too.

Mesial Prefrontal Cortex? I didn't even know I had one.

Thanks for sharing your story Phil. Great score. Welcome to CS..

Happy Birthday Jack. Congrats! Thanks for sharing.

Ran across this and though it was an interesting topic and idea. How similar is the construction of an AL3 ribbon compared to the earlier Amazings? They look similar on the outside but I have never seen the insides.

Thanks. My mom has it. Time to put a system together for her to enjoy.

Thank you Hashy for putting the thank button back.

After changing to replacement drivers do to foam rot, I have 8 drivers with bad foam left over. I was watching some speaker repair videos on U tube and it doesn't look like a bad job to refoam them. To those of you that have done this refoaming, how long does it take? As long as replacement drivers are available (about $50) their value seems limited. My were the cone type. The honeycombs seem to be unavailable already if I'm not mistaken. I can't bring myself to throw them away. Maybe I'll put them in the boxes and stash them away. Maybe someday replacements won't be available and they may have more value then. Buy the time you buy the foam kit, it makes the replacements seem even more reasonable in price. What have you guys that replaced drivers done with your old ones?

Usually 1-2 hours a day maybe 5 days a week.

Welcome back RTM. Enjoy!

Welcome Jim. Enjoy the ride!

Soundgarden, Audioslave. 52 yrs old.

Welcome Phil! Enjoy the ride..

Interesting that the designer started out at Acoustic Research. The guy that started NHT was also a former AR designer. AR was founded by Henry Kloss and Edgar Villchur in 1954. I think it is interesting to see the transfer of knowledge and refinements by engineers over the history of audio reproduction. Bob Carver often talks on video with respect about the designers before him and how much he learned from them and their products. Amazing to me, are the huge number of patents that Bob has to his credit. He followed greats and still accomplished an incredible number of great and original ideas.

Very cool conversation and it gives us all a chance to consider the many reasons people enjoy this great hobby. We mostly agree on everything. The topic we see differently are most about human nature and personalities and how they effect the aspects of what they enjoy about a hobby. Very cool talking to people that feel free to talk and not take offense to others thoughts and observations. Well said Dazed and confused. Very good point about the last 5%.. Some chase it till the end of time and some say phuk it spend the time listening. Great perspective.. I hear you on the swinging dick thing elgrau.. There are those personalities too. I've seen plenty of car guys with something super badass pull in to a show or cruise night. When several people walk over to the car before he even gets out, their chest pops out and they can hardly walk do to the increased size of their manhood and the weight of the swinging. Lol. I feel a bit sorry for people with those needs, because someone else will always have bigger and better or will shortly. What a tough world this could be for those personalities. I enjoyed sharing a picture of 6 Carver mono blocks in a row the other day. 4 out of the 6 belong to other guys here at CS. I had no increase in size or swing, but wanted to share the picture while they were at one location. Guys here like pics so what the hell. Some could have perceived that pic as swinging dick and that was a risk. I was sure to disclose that they were not all mine. I'm just an old Tool & Die maker that started my own shop, ran it 18 yrs and sold it.. I will never have the best of anything and have already passed my prime. This stage of life is cool. I'm not competing with anyone, coworkers, competitors, nobody.. I ran the race.. It is enjoyable to read about what others have, but I feel no competition or disappointment. If they have spent big buck to get the last 5% of performance thats a good thing. D&C makes a great point, at some point you are hearing "changes" but you have a hard time telling if they are even positive or negative they are just different a little. Very enjoyable conversation IMHO. Thank you guys.