Ar9Jim

RAM 285 heading out to Milwaukie, Oregon tomorrow. The unit has been burning in for 2 days. Listening test, Lab test, and off to another Carver Amplifier Challenge.👍

I've enjoyed Steve's work for many years before working with Bob Carver. I had not met Steve before, but have seen him at audio shows doing his work. Steve called a couple weeks ago after looking at the Bob Carver site. It was a true pleasure to meet him after reading his work and watching his videos for such a long time. The guy in the videos is truly Steve. I felt like I had known him for years after talking for 30 min.. Steve asked if we could send him an amp for review. We were happy to send the new RAM 285 to him.. Steve ask for nothing in return (other than a unit that is well burned in, because he does many reviews and has no time for burn-in) and a return shipping label. No strings attached either way. We are happy to let the Bob Carver design speak for itself and have an honorable, experienced audiophile speak his mind about his audio experience. I've been watching Steve's videos lately and subscribed to his channel. Steve's content ads real value for the wide variety of people who enjoy excellent audio. Please consider subscribing to Steve's daily show. A RAM 285 will be featured soon. We can watch the review and hear what Steve says about Bob's new design together.

Every Reference Amplifier Model (RAM) 285 get tested before shipping. They are basic QC test to assure proper operation. Each amp gets a check on both channels with a signal generator and scope. Next they go to burn-in, running music for 24-48 hrs. After burn-in they go to inspection for: 1) Frequency response test at 5 watts within +- .3db 2) Frequency response test at full rated power within +- .5db 3) Channel level balance within .2 db. 4) Power test both channels driven at 1K to a .5%THD+N limit. (consistently over 105w). 5) SNR. Exceeds the 101db limit of the test device. 100 min. A serialized copy of the results are included with the unit for the customer and we keep a copy on file for reference.

Yes they do. Yes they can. While spending 6 weeks at Bob's home and at his lab in Snohomish this year, voicing was a design detail that had to be right for the new products. Much of the voicing is in the design itself. Bob likes the sound of a "bouncy" "springy", higher voltage, more loosely regulated power supply, over the more common theory to design for highly regulated and 'stiff' power supplies. "After decades of testing, I've found this way to sound best." Bob Carver. I asked the question, how do you get a supply to act springy and bouncy? "The smaller power transformer will have voltage sag under load, but I start with higher voltage by about 200v, 685v in the 275 and closer to 300v higher in the 285, so it can sag and bounce without the voltage going too low driving loudspeakers. This allows lighter weigh, has lower cost to produce and sounds best to me over decades of study." This design philosophy has a big effect on the Carver sound and goes against what many have been taught in school, so many that are not physicist cry out as if the design is flawed or "cheap". Physicist get a thrill out of designing lighter, lower cost, better performing products leveraging the laws of physics. It's in their DNA.. Similar with the tiny subwoofers. You can shrink the box, if you can supply enough power to make the equation work out. If you do it right like Bob can, it looks "amazing". Some voicing effects can be seen in frequency response graphs. They are subtle within about .25db. Bob recognizes these details in graphs as a way of knowing his design was not "improved" by manufacturing. One of the few times I've seen Bob angry was the mention of improving his power supply design for the 275 thinking about 'stiffening it up'. "Nobody touches my design!" "With good intension they with think they are making it better and F--k it up!"

Analyzers are wonderful objective tools of the designer. The resolution of these tools has vastly improved over time.

Beware of reviewers using the word "science", that when asked about the flaws in the traceability of their scientific test samples, have a response something like, 'I just test what people send me' as a default answer/excuse for their flawed premise of representing audio science. "Numbers are easy, great audio is not." Bob Carver.

To date we have had Carver Amplifier Challenges of the RAM 285 in customers systems in the states of: Illinois 2x, Indiana, California 2x , Georgia, New Jersey, New York, WA and South Carolina. All of these customers are experienced audiophiles. Virtually no one buys a $5000 vacuum tube amp as their first amplifier, so it's a valid real world comparison with other comparable products. We are happy to report a 100% win for the RAM 285 and the customers, as not even one customer has returned their RAM 285 during the 30 day trial period. If a perspective buyer would like a phone call with actual RAM 285 owners, that could be arranged. Bob Carver has taken tube amp fidelity to a new high, while leaving the vintage tube amp compromises in the past. https://www.bobcarvercorp.com/

Update: Only 2 pairs of 350s remain available. Act now!

Must have an exposed basement. Like to see how he brought those machines into the basement. Brilliant guy.

347 BC.. Wow!

"The best explanation for the good old days is a poor memory."

Thanks Bob. There are many hours of CNC machining in each chassis. Customers have remarked about how nice it looks it their home.. One customers 95 yr old mother said, "Oh my, that is beautiful!" "What is it?"

The latest RAM 285 is heading to a customer in WA.. The more people hear them, the more people want them. Perfect.

The RAM 285 is available. The ISO compliant quality management system is producing a product of the highest quality. We are very happy and proud of the new product. Truly world class at a lowest price possible.