Hello all! I found your site because I wanted to get owner's manuals, and saw lots of great stuff!
Very recently I was in a donation-type Thrift Shop, and saw a Carver M-200T amp on the shelf. I was a bit dubious if it would work, since it was so ridiculously cheap, and the outside was a bit battered up, like someone used it for their garage / workshop amp. Original owner was obviously proud of it as they electro-engraved their name and SSN on the case top and back (very shaky job, as you remember back in the day). As you can imagine, I snatched it up immediately, used my discount coupon, and walked out for less than the price of a Combo Meal at any fast food joint! BTW, this same shop I happened to find a 1980s/90s NRI oscilloscope last year for $15...ha ha.
Today I decided to first remove the case and blow out the inside with compressed air to remove all the dust. I then hooked it up to some old 1990's era Technics bookshelf speakers (SB-LV105, which are 8 ohm 120w/60w) that were in the basement storage, and used a Fiio M7 digital player as a preamp to test it out. I used a 1/8" stereo to RCA Y-split cable to connect it to the RCA inputs. To my GLORIOUS surprise, this Carver amp works GREAT! I have been listening to it for more than a few hours, and the sound is VERY good and clean. If I didn't know it was solid state only, I would have guessed it may have been at least a tube/SS hybrid. My Fiio is playing FLAC files, but am quite impressed how well this sounds without even a proper preamp and no EQ. I think I am going to put this in my "Music Room" where our drum kit, bass amp, and guitar amps are for jamming.
So couple questions, if you don't mind:
1) Since this is only a two-speaker amp, what size speakers do you suggest me using? I have a spare set of Pioneer A. Jones bookshelf speakers (SP-BS21-LR), but figure I should be looking to something a bit bigger than bookshelf speakers. I can likely find another thrift shop deal at some point, and need to know what size, etc. I should keep eye out for. I don't mind rebuilding speakers / surrounds, soldering internals, etc.
2) Similarly, what is an affordable and simple preamp you would suggest? I will likely continue to use a media device like the Fiio or an iPhone as the music source (no phonos, tapes, CD players, etc.). I have a 1990's era Technics receiver (SA-EX300) I could use in the interim (if using the Tape Recording Output would work as a preamp), or should I look for something older? I guess I would like the ability to turn the volume up from a preamp and not the digital device.
Anyway, thanks in advance! I am so happy I didn't have to break out my soldering setup, because while I enjoy doing projects, I got plenty other things to do right now. Ha.