Brian K. Totten

Welcome, Welcome, from San Antonio - 200 miles from JSC, Houston!

Carver amps operate differently than conventional vintage offerings. If your amp is in working condition, that may be a place to clean it up a bit, replace a few caps or even the output relay. The amp operates as a modulated power supply using a Triac. In addition, there are two rail voltages that will switch IN/OUT to supply the output stages the power it needs depending on the amp load. There are Youtube vids that describe this in detail. For me, I have a radio electronics background and repair audio stuff too. But when I understood the work Nelion will perform on an amp, I had to think about working on my M500t's. I am not here to push a direction or convince anyone. There are a lot of people in this forum that work on these amp all the time. The value for me was impeccable work, customer service and 3 years warranty. That said, I sent Nelion a pair of M500t's that were limping along, and I received back very different amps internally. First off, I ordered Upgrade work, not a basic service, or a channel fix, etc. The power supply was upgraded to produce more voltage and current, the output stages were completely replaced to provide a near-double in output capability, that I did not "need" but wanted. But I figured that if Greg was going to bench these amps, give him something exciting to do 🙂 So here I have that pair of M500t's in a stack in bridge mode for a stereo pair that will power anything I could ever throw at these amps for the time being. Sort of like having that 73 Challenger with the hemi engine in it when the 318CID will make it move. Please report back as you proceed. Its all fun stuff no matter the track taken! https://nelionaudio.com/

Welcome to the group! I had a Carver stack back in 1989, and recently re-aquired a pair of M500t amp. Both of which were professionally upgraded by Nelion. Unless you know Carver amps inside-n-out, dont risk poking around inside, send your M500 to Greg. He sprinkles some amazing Pixie Dust on these amps that make them sound so sweet! You will not regret the money spent, not to mention the ultra-incredible service and warranty!

Welcome ChrisB, Keep your eye open on eBay, just last week I found an M500t rack handle set. Be patient, it will come! I remember my Air Force days, buying audio gear. I think I was making about $1,000 / mo. I had plenty money for audio, and ate at the chow hall 🙂

Well said and in the end what I have in mind!

I want to start out to say if the topic of new streamer devices, DACs and other online music topic is irrelevant, posted in another location, please delete this and I will understand! The quest of this topic the desire to understand current digital streaming tech, what people have, the overall cost of the investment, differences in units, etc, etc. I see these so called " streamers" in modern audiophile posts, but I am skeptical that there is any "audiophile" grade audio delivered by them, other than having access to material beyond a local collection. What say you?

Pink Floyd Animals - "Pigs, Three Different Ones" --- the fading out guitar solo at the end is freaking killer!

I was at a local Texas AFB installing some Comm equipment back in the last 80's. The base had a flight simulator. Lets just say that I am glad I did not take the reigns of a C-130 as you did. My simulated aircraft bounced off the runway and ascended into oblivion! 🙂

Welcome to the group. I am certain you will find a solution to the Carver problem here in this stellar group of knowledge base!

I am highly interested in following this thread. I implement home automation in my home, and currently my vintage gear power is switched, through automation, using Ubiquiti Unifi smart power strip. ESP32 is used extensively within Home Assistant as well, and within many other smart devices on the market. The point is, when designing this solution, look at compatibility with smart home interfaces using off-the-shelf technology. I can tell you after having a smart phone for 20 years, I simply tire of having to rely on it solely to control devices. Automation ability with Home Assistant, Alexa, Google, etc, would be a nice value add. I would certainly buy the Vintage Control Center in a heartbeat, most likely as a standalone device, but more so if implemented as a modern piece of gear.

First of all, Welcome to the Forum! Not sure of your electronics ability or even if you want to troubleshoot the gear yourself. Check in the document archive on this site for a service manual or schematics. If you cannot find them here, try Hifi Engine. If you dont have an account there, it can be problematic to obtain service data. Perhaps a Carver Site member can be helpful in that regard. I am speaking generically here, approach each device differently as they have different issues. Make no assumption of root cause. There is nobody on the internet that can say "Replace C10 and Q20" problem solved. Begin with some basic test equipment such as a multi meter. The PM1400 that wont power on, check the power supplies, rail voltages, etc. Step through logically, take copious notes and pictures. You can probably ship your device to the mainland if absolutely needed. Parts for vintage gear is always a question of availability. Capacitors can usually be substituted. Semiconductors, depending on what they are can be sub'ed as well. Semiconductors usually dont cause the main problem unless an amp has been abused, output shorted, etc, but its not out the question that the device failed. Be watchful for manufacture specific special purpose IC devices that are no longer produced. If special parts go bad, then you are on the hunt for a donor to pull the chips from. Sourcing replacement parts from Mouser.com can be useful. There are other suppliers as well, Google the device you want to replace. The best advice I can give, is to relax. Dont rush. Dont be impatient for a quick fix. If your amp recently failed, buy one that can play in your system while you fix the good stuff. At this point you may be thinking, "This guy is off the rails, nothing he said will get my "device" fixed". --- Welcome to the world of Vintage Gear! You will be fine. Use an approach of logic, troubleshooting, or sending out for repair. As Clint Eastwood would have said "A man's got to know his limitations"

Its funny to see how life is cyclical. We dont realize at the time, but old things do become new again! Old interests resurface! Welcome Sir. I am here as a newbie, but owned Carver C-1/M500t in the late 80's. Equipment long gone, but just picked up an M500t - old is new again!

Newbie to Newbie Welcome!

Appreciate the welcome! Thanks!

Thanks for the np dibbs tip! Be sure to have a look! Tanks!

You bet, picking up the M500t on Tuesday! Post one!

Hello Carver People! I am a new member to The Carver Site. I bought my first Carver gear while stationed in San Vito Italy while in the USAF. At the time @ 1988, was the C-1 Preamp and M500T power amp. I had sold that gear to buy a Sumo Audio Athena Preamp and Andromeda II power amp. I had issues with the Sumo amp and smoked the left channel and burned the board, could not get a replacement. I sold it for parts, then sold the working Athena preamp. Over the years, I then delved into the AV scene and bought a Denon3802 AV receiver. While it been OK, I have always want my Carver gear back. So with that said, I have my crosshairs on a M500T local and shopping for another preamp. I regret selling the original gear, but there is still time to turn the boat! Thanks to all for chuckling at my story. I bet there are others out there that can relate! Best Regards!