Introduction and question M-500T

[earthNZ 17]

Hello from New Zealand,

it's not often Carver Amplifier's come up for sale down here in our part of the world. There is currently a Carver M-500t listed locally which has piqued my interest. 

 

Two questions I would like to ask the hive mind here...

Would this stock amp comfortably handle running a pair of Acoustic Research AR-LST speakers ( 3 way, 9 drivers. 4 ohm and 89.5db sensitivity)

 

I see that there is a mod for this amp also. Is this only available in America? Or will a local Carver service technician be able to perform it??

 

Thanks in advance,

Nick

 

 

 

[3M_Audio 1,353]

Hello Nick and welcome!

 

I'm sure some members here that regularly run the M500t will add their feedback for you, but I don't think the M500t would have any problem with the AR-LST. In its stock form it is rated for over 300 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads.

 

For your reference, the Owners and Service Manuals for this amp are on the site located in the 'Manuals and Specsheets' pulldown at the top of any page.

 

I don't believe there are any factory service bulletins for the amp (aside from a note about replacement component spacing on the board), but there is a mk II modification that's available. More info here. That mod info is available, and a good service shop should be able to do that work, but I think there may also be some merit in simply using the amp as-is for a while and seeing how you like the performance in your system. Assuming the amp you are looking at is in good electrical condition, it is a very nice performer in its stock form.

[AndrewJohn 8,735]

hello Nick, @earthNZ.

 

Reading up on the LST 1 speakers..., users that have them say they like power..., and the M500t should give it to them at stock rating.  Since the m500t is rare, in NZ..., if I were in your shoes, I'd buy it (if the price is right)...

 

Audio hobby is a journey..., not a destination..., you might find you want to get the upgrade to MkII, you might find you want different speakers..., you might find..., 😉 who knows.

 

...worst case, if the price is right on a rare Carver item in your region, you can flip it.

 

Reading on some of the other audio forums, they point out that not enough wpc for those speakers is problematic, for some who have experienced blown Crown amps.  Carver amps are generally more robust than many.  And with 300wpc, as @3M_Audio wrote, that should be in the realm of need/demand for the speakers (I have not experienced AR LST's..., only reading on the internet about specs.)  

 

Interestingly, a post on Hoffman's forum, wrote that the LST 1s have blown amps, pushing 150wpc to them.  They are rated (according to hifiengine.com) at 64wpc with a 4ohm impedance.  my thinking on that is to share that Bob Carver himself pointed out that ratings are not always what they seem..., meaning that "speakers blow more often from not enough wpc, than from too many wpc." Clean high-power amplifier power is what speakers drink like water..., keyword "clean" meaning more distortion from the amp, the more likely your 65wpc-rated speakers will have issues.  Bob Carver amps are known for their clean solid state power.

 

...now, if the used amp you are getting is not working, or needs service (it is over 30 years old - and may be stock)..., it would be good to have it looked at, checked for out of spec consumable components (like capacitors of the era, they are consumables..., and worth recapping your amp with modern caps, which will make it better than new!)

 

Good luck on your journey..., and hoping you post more on this thread on your system once you dive in.  We love pictures!

[earthNZ 17]

Thank you AndrewJohn and 3M-Audio for your insight and knowledge 🍻 Very much appreciated.

 

It sounds like it will be a good match for these hard to drive speakers. Hopefully this will be the last link in the chain for a while if I win the auction (6 more days to find out). I will definitely post photos if I win.

 

Thanks again,

Nick

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sk1Bum 10,245]

Hi Nick, and welcome aboard. 

 

I use an M500t mkII to power a pair of Martin Logan ESL's. The ESL's dip to as low as 4 ohm, but the nominal load is 6. I rarely turn the volume up over halfway, as my system is in a small room.

 

The M500t is my favorite Carver amp, but I've only owned 4 different Carver amps and no tube amps. One thing to watch for with the M500t in stock form is heat. It will warm up quite a bit with high volume and low impedance. Before mine was upgraded, it shut down a couple of times. I've not had it do that since, but the upgrade bumped the output to 495w/channel.

 

 

[earthNZ 17]

Thanks for the reply Sk1Bum,

 

And thank you for the heads up about the heat issue at loud volumes when it's stock. As these speakers of mine can dip to a 2 ohm load, I know that if I do manage to get this amp, it will be getting the upgrade for certain. I have been saving and waiting for a decent power amp (in my price range )to show itself for the past year. After researching this amp for the past couple of days, I'm quite eager to snag her if all goes to plan. Preamp will be a Sansui AU-9500. Hopefully they match well as I do love this Sansui.

 

Cheers!

Nick

[Kurt 2,055]

Welcome to the Carver Site!

[earthNZ 17]

Thanks Kurt 🍻

[Receiver2000 2,879]

Welcome, good to have you with us.

[AndrewJohn 8,735]

22 hours ago, earthNZ said:

Thank you AndrewJohn and 3M-Audio for your insight and knowledge 🍻 Very much appreciated.

 

It sounds like it will be a good match for these hard to drive speakers. Hopefully this will be the last link in the chain for a while if I win the auction (6 more days to find out). I will definitely post photos if I win.

 

Thanks again,

Nick

 

 

Hey Nick, 

 

You're part of our community now..., even if you don't win "this" particular auction..., there will be another offering.

 

BTW, I am guessing??? the auction is on ..., Ebay NZ?  If so, look into Sniping the deal, to ensure you get it.  I use gixen, you can find it at www.gixen.com..., 

 

And if you don't get this 500t (I love the 500t's big meters...) any of the primary amps from Bob Carver will be wonderful for you to acquire, and this is the community to engage to share your journey with the experience.

[earthNZ 17]

Heya AndrewJohn,

 

The auction is on a NZ based auction site called "Trademe". Here is the link to the M-500t for sale. 

 

There seems to be one reputable carver technician here in NZ. I'll be getting in touch with him today to find out if he is confident in performing the upgrade. As NZ is such a small place, I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't had this amp on his bench before.

 

Are there any questions you think I should be asking the seller. He doesn't say much in the listing. I have requested more photos, but as of today, no more have been uploaded.

 

Loving this forum so far. You Carver owners are a friendly bunch 🍻

[Demo 10]

Hi Nick

 

I'm based in North Canterbury & a recent Carver owner. Can you tell me where the Carver tech is located ?

 

Laurie

[Rob 4,545]

Welcome to the site!!!