Brian K. Totten

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!