SomeGeoffGuy 19 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 So, it turns out my mid life crisis involves vintage stereo equipment not a new Corvette. I got back into two channel audio last year and I can't stop eyeballing Carver gear. I bough two broken amps - one from craigslist (TFM-24) and one from ebay (TFM-25) and I am in the process of getting them going. Both of them have very clean looking boards, original caps, and no scorch marks that I can find. They both have the same issues - one good channel and one bad (the 24 is static-ey, the 25 is out completely) I would like to pair at least one of them with some vintage Magneplanars at some point, and possibly a vintage McIntosh pre-amp (something simple like a C24). I am a mechanical engineer, but I am in the process of learning a bit more about electronics via the local community college. This site looks like a great place to get into the nuts and bolts of Carver gear. I have been hooked on Carver since I read the Stereophile article about Bob cloning the amp sound. I have been dying to get a listen to his Transfer Function Amps, and I figured buying and repairing one would be the best way. Anyone else around here from Detroit? Thank you. -Geoff 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sk1Bum 9,888 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Hello Geoff, and welcome to thecarversite. We're glad to have you hear(). There are very talented techs here that will help you get your amps going. I noticed that some have already answered some questions, and pointed you in the right direction. I hope you enjoy your stay and the tunes. Oh, and we all like pics of audio gear. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chops 693 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome Geoff! If you want to learn about everything Carver, this is the place. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismiller55 4,717 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchitch 3,997 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome! There are very many "how to" threads in the archive. If you get stuck... just post your question Buy new printer ink and paper and get to work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbini 6,140 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Howdy Geoff and welcome to the forum. Thanks for introducing yourself. Please tell us more about yourself, your taste in music, non-audio hobbies, etc. When you get around to posting system pics, please start a thread in Member Systems. Good luck with your amp projects! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xavionics 1,405 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome aboard Geoff from a former Yooper! Those amps will do you very well when repaired. They are pretty easy to work on. Pull up the schematics and study them awhile. Assuming you have a decent soldering station and a digital multimeter, you should be ready. A 'scope would be nice but shouldn't be necessary. Having one working channel will be a big help in comparing voltages. What should be there vs what is there. One word of caution: there are high voltage inside there in various locations that can kill! Another note is the power supply caps keep a charge for a very long time, even after they are shut down and unplugged. I made a voltage drain device from a couple clip leads with a resistor in line to keep the drain current down. I'm heading to the UP shortly, gotta pay Mom a visit. The techs here are the best and are very helpful. Pull up a chair and enjoy a visit. There are a few threads around to browse and gain some familiarity with the amps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcl 3,173 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome aboard, Geoff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie 16,429 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Howdy Geoff! Enjoy your stay!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG 2,846 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome Geoff! Enjoy your stay! Lots of great info around here! barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nahash5150 10,005 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Welcome @SomeGeoffGuy! Stay a while and post your DIYs - we live for it here! I grew up in Hazel Park and my wild years on 8 mile in Detroit. I live in western Michigan now, south of Cadillac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loner_t 2,568 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 @SomeGeoffGuy welcome to the (40+ years) young Carver Party! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-Man 4,763 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Thanks for including us in your Carver journey. If you get stumped don't be afraid to ask - there's lots of talent here. Be sure to throw some pics of your set-up in the Member Systems section. Enjoy !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carver363 140 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 6 hours ago, SomeGeoffGuy said: So, it turns out my mid life crisis involves vintage stereo equipment not a new Corvette. I got back into two channel audio last year and I can't stop eyeballing Carver gear. I bough two broken amps - one from craigslist (TFM-24) and one from ebay (TFM-25) and I am in the process of getting them going. Both of them have very clean looking boards, original caps, and no scorch marks that I can find. They both have the same issues - one good channel and one bad (the 24 is static-ey, the 25 is out completely) I would like to pair at least one of them with some vintage Magneplanars at some point, and possibly a vintage McIntosh pre-amp (something simple like a C24). I am a mechanical engineer, but I am in the process of learning a bit more about electronics via the local community college. This site looks like a great place to get into the nuts and bolts of Carver gear. I have been hooked on Carver since I read the Stereophile article about Bob cloning the amp sound. I have been dying to get a listen to his Transfer Function Amps, and I figured buying and repairing one would be the best way. Anyone else around here from Detroit? Thank you. -Geoff Welcome Geoff! I believe both of those amps use individual speaker relays for the left and right channel outputs. I repaired my TFM-55 with relays from circuits and concept if you determine that's the root cause. Les is a great resource for high quality parts and a member of this forum. Good luck and post your progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrstps 9 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Glad you made it. I live downriver, Taylor and have lots of carver things Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomeGeoffGuy 19 Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 (edited) Thanks for the warm welcome. I don't have any working Carver stuff right now but I will post some pics of what is in progress. Thank you! Geoff Edited June 9, 2018 by SomeGeoffGuy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbini 6,140 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 6 minutes ago, SomeGeoffGuy said: I don't have any working Carver stuff right now but I will post some pics of what is in progress. Thanks Geoff, but they don't have to be pics of Carver gear, or your current system. If it's audio-related, and you owned, borrowed, or stole it at some time, feel free to post away. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrummerJuice 1,278 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Welcome Geoff! Carver is my mid life crisis as well! lol I've been keeping an eye open for some TFM's myself. (leaning toward the 45 or 55) I know there is a list of which amps they are modified to clone but can't seem to find it. I understand that they have a different but equally pleasing sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues Pwr 765 Posted June 10, 2018 Share Posted June 10, 2018 Welcome to the site Geoff, glad you found us and decided to join in on all the forum has to offer. What types of music and bands/artists do you enjoy listening to ? I like modern blues guitar rock : Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Tab Benoit, Jimmy D. Lane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomeGeoffGuy 19 Posted June 10, 2018 Author Share Posted June 10, 2018 Thanks again. I mostly listen to rock and roll (from 50's to now) with a sprinkling of 80's pop that comes from being a child of the 80's - Class of 87! -Geoff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesMan57 1,308 Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 Welcome to the forum Geoff. Glad to have you aboard.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kve777 6,677 Posted June 11, 2018 Share Posted June 11, 2018 Welcome, Geoff! Ye shall reap the rewards of owning vintage Carver gear. I hope you have a lot of money to buy more...? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomeGeoffGuy 19 Posted June 12, 2018 Author Share Posted June 12, 2018 14 hours ago, kve777 said: Welcome, Geoff! Ye shall reap the rewards of owning vintage Carver gear. I hope you have a lot of money to buy more...? Yea, two TFM55's just sold on ebay. Had to use some willpower to not click the bid button. One sold for $530, the other for $640. -Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck555 366 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Welcome to the site Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingman 662 Posted June 13, 2018 Share Posted June 13, 2018 Welcome Detroit rock city!!’ Glad to have you Geoff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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