submariner

I am really enjoying the expansive sound I'm getting from the C-1/M-500 combination. To continue to improve I have also added 2 elements to my system: a Furman power conditioner and a BlueSound Node. The Furman did help and made my house power very quiet, with the benefit of surge protection. But the BlueSound Node is the real star addition and performer. I am seriously impressed. But, I tweaked it some more... I also added Tidal, even though I have been listening to Amazon music and was happy with that. I got the Premier version on trial (but I've already decided I'm keeping it), and I strongly recommend it to all of you as it is noticeably better sound. And I'd like to also point out that Tidal offers a discount to veterans and active military, and also to first responders, that makes the Premier sound cost the same as the "normal" quality sound. So until I get my M-500 upgraded by Nelion next January, this is what I've got running. I'll put my old M-400 (my first real amplifier) back into service when the M-500 is becoming all it can be. Hope everyone is doing well.

I now have a C-1 with the Bill D. mod and wow, does it sound nice. I'm in the queue for Nelion to upgrade my M-500 (in 2022 - there's a holding pattern). When I get that back I expect my system will be good for another couple of decades. I'm very pleased with the sound now, so when the Mk II is complete on the M-500 I expect even better sound. I've also been reading about DACs and Streamers too - but I'm a slow adopter of gear, so I'll keep reading. But once the M-500 is a Mk II I may breakdown and get a DAC/Streamer combo just to have that ease of access to the huge world of recordings available through a streaming service.

Thanks very much. I've read their name on the site.

I'm enjoying the education and looking forward to more - especially about the mods & modifiers out there. Thanks. Pictures when I'm able. And refurb or new C-1 w/BillD is in my future.

I did not do that (the notice probably never made it to me) and so I did not send it in - so I don't have the C. So my unit is Really vintage - and that's probably a situation that needs a remedy. Thanks.

Thank you Sk1bum. I did take away a misinterpretation of the C-11 - thanks for straightening that out for me.

Thanks.

It is Silver; I'll post the serial number in a follow up. Serial #0773.

I am leaning toward just a straight forward 2 channel set up, and that too is why I was looking at the C-1. Sure seems like the C-11 (C-1 with the BillD mod) is the way to go. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks very much. I'm enjoying the replies and advice! And I will send in some pics when I'm able to.

Thanks very much Will.

Thank you very much. Just started snorkeling through all the great advice.

Submariner here and happy to join the site - this is my first topic. I used that "handle" as I was driving a submarine in the late 70's out of Groton, CT when I became acquainted with and had never heard anything so crisp/realistic/nice as the Carver M-400 coupled a C-4000 powering Dahlquist DQ-10's. Sonic holography was simply astounding. Of course, neither of the Carver units nor the DQ-10's fit aboard my boat, but they did make my BOQ room rock. Later I got an M-500 when I decided to expand with a Dahlquist DQ-1W base cube and powered the cube with the M-400. I've found over the years (at different houses - I retired from the Navy) that I usually only set up the M-500 and C-4000. Now I'm setting down some roots and want to really enjoy my vinyl collection. I've been doing some reading about different alternative preamps and from what I've read on this site and on other sources that the C-1 preamp with the Bill D modification makes the C-1 (still with sonic holography) a very attractive component when compared to the relatively high cost alternatives out in the market compared to high. And I just feel like a change as I don't use the surround/delay nor most of the other features of the C-4000. I'd really appreciate your learned opinions to help me confirm that the C-1/Bill D mod unit is a worthy upgrade (I'd sell the C-4000 (till have the original box)).