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New guy...Happy M-200T owner!


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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.

Edited by Tailgate
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Hello Tailgate, and welcome to thecarversite.com. We're glad you're hear. ;) There is a lot of information here, much technical know how, and a pretty good bunch of folks that are happy to help.

 

Congrats on the M200t score. I use one of them for my backyard system.  One thing to consider, that amp is getting on in age. Even if it's playing well now, it is due for a refresh. There are several very talented techs here on this site that can handle that for you if you don't want to do it yourself.  If you do want to DIY, they also don't mind helping you out if you get stumped.

 

I have no idea what your budget is for a preamp, but a Carver C-1 is a great match with a M200t.  A stock C-1 is a great pre, and it can be modified to play on the same field with preamps costing 5x more.  A used working C-1 can be found on eBay usually in the $300 range, and occasionally less.  If you do decide on a C-1, I highly recommend the BillD mod. It makes that pre phenomenal. 


Once you get to Novice status, please consider uploading some pics of your gear in the Members Systems area. We all like pics of all kinds of audio gear.


In the meantime, kick your shoes off, turn up the music, and welcome aboard.

 

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Hello and welcome to the Carver site. Personally I really like the M200t's and have had quite a few of them. I have had them hooked up to Cerwin Vega PA's, Polk Monitor 10b's, and my little Ohm K2's. They are great little amps in my opinion especially after a good quality recap and voltage setting. 

Fotolia_9058674_XS.jpg

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4 hours ago, Rob said:

Hello and welcome to the Carver site. Personally I really like the M200t's and have had quite a few of them. I have had them hooked up to Cerwin Vega PA's, Polk Monitor 10b's, and my little Ohm K2's. They are great little amps in my opinion especially after a good quality recap and voltage setting. 

Thanks everyone!  

 

Yes, I was thinking I would maybe have to replace a cap or two, but pleasantly surprised how well it worked.  I am very comfortable with recapping myself, as I have worked on several guitar tube amps including replacing the output transformer and ALL the caps, and even built two somewhat complicated guitar pedals from scratch (as in plain vero board built all the way up), which were clones of the Wampler Paisley drive.

 

I was going to place an order on Parts Express today for some other items, but now I may hold off if there is a recommended "replacement list" already built by someone...might as well order all at once.  Any info is appreciated (and forgive me, but now I will do a forum search for the parts list).

Edited by Tailgate
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Welcome Tailgate!
Nice find on your amplifier! I think you will like that amp and you certainly will after a refresh. Keep us posted on what you decide and if you have questions, just ask away......grin

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@Tailgate I have made up a list from doing many of these amps. It is about a 35 cap replacement project that doesn’t take long to do. If you want it I can send it your way. It doesn’t have part numbers, just the location number on the board and uF values. 

Edited by Rob
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2 hours ago, Rob said:

@Tailgate I have made up a list from doing many of these amps. It is about a 35 cap replacement project that doesn’t take long to do. If you want it I can send it your way. It doesn’t have part numbers, just the location number on the board and uF values. 

@Rob That would be wonderful. I'm glad you said that because I figured all the resistors and diodes should be fine. 

 

Send it to me!  Much appreciated. 

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Welcome, @Tailgate.

 

If you like cosmetic matches..., think about a Carver C-2.

 

That's a great amp!  I have one in my office system.

 

Here's an image of another member's ( @zumbini ) system, all small-format components like your m200t.

 

m200t on top, Carver TX-2 tuner, then Carver C-2 preamp, and under that, a DTL-50 CD player.  (yes, the faceplate colors vary..., just the way it is with Carver 😉 )

 

20110703161834635.jpg

Edited by AndrewJohn
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On 2/16/2021 at 7:03 PM, Rob said:

@Tailgate I have made up a list from doing many of these amps. It is about a 35 cap replacement project that doesn’t take long to do. If you want it I can send it your way. It doesn’t have part numbers, just the location number on the board and uF values. 

@Rob That would be wonderful. I'm glad you said that because I figured all the resistors and diodes should be fine. 

 

Send it to me!  Much appreciated. 

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