New Member and m-200t/C1 owner!

[mlw213 19]

Hi everyone and thanks for having me! I’ve recently gotten back into stereo after being space-limited as a renter for quite a few years. It feels good to be back!

 

I’ve recently built a midfi audiophile system via Facebook and eBay purchases, and now own an m-200t amp and C1 Preamp. 
 

The m-200t sounds pretty nice and strong, bass is not flabby at all (yet) as I’ve read elsewhere. I wanted to get opinions on that unit from you fine folks here and ask the question - at what point would it be worth upgrading from, and am I missing anything by not using MOSFETS?

 

In terms of sound, I’m a huge fan of imaging. Currently on the hunt for a pair of DCM Timeframes that would fit in my space. 

[Rob 5,267]

Welcome to the site. I have owned quite a few of these amps and have restored many. I have always kept the originals in them. I really like their sound. 

[3M_Audio 1,770]

Welcome!

 

Regarding MOSFETs, they have some advantages at high frequencies and in terms of efficiency although they can be a bit picky to bias, but in any well-designed audio amplifier circuit, using MOSFETs or BJTs should produce really nice output.

 

Good luck with the search for some DCM speakers. How much space do you have? The large floor standing models like the TF400s sound great but they do take up a lot of space.

[Rob 5,267]

13 hours ago, mlw213 said:

terms of sound, I’m a huge fan of imaging. Currently on the hunt for a pair of DCM Timeframes that would fit in my space. 

If interested and near Michigan. I have some 350’s that I replaced the surrounds about a year ago. Great little speakers. 

[mlw213 19]

Thanks guys! I have a 12x12 cave, so it’s space enough for a set of small towers. I’m hunting DCM TF700s but may ultimately not have enough room for them. I ideally want a set that utilizes a Vifa and not the Audax tweets that they used, and the 700s have the addition of a midrange driver which interests me too.

Edited March 24 by mlw213

[mlw213 19]

57 minutes ago, Rob said:

If interested and near Michigan. I have some 350’s that I replaced the surrounds about a year ago. Great little speakers. 

Thanks Rob. I’m in Boston at the moment - not a ton of interesting stuff on the market here right now but plenty of BA, EPI, and other more locally produced stuff pops up. 

[Dennis47 932]

WELCOME @mlw213!

Good luck with your speaker search...

[AndrewJohn 9,914]

Welcome to the site, @mlw213.  Glad you found us.  Lots of information here.

 

I had a pair of DCM Timeframes, and my m200t really made them sing.  I got them from a friend that was upgrading speakers..., he drove them with a Pioneer receiver (forget which model - one with all that lighted face-dial stuff...)  The DCM's sounded ok at his house, but really came alive with the m200t amp driving them.  I still have the amp, but moved on with different speakers.

 

We LOVE pictures - post an image of your rig, when you get a minute.

 

Here's my office setup, with a C-2 preamp, a TX-2 tuner, and the m200t amp.  on the shelf below, you can see the top right corner of a DTL-50, that has a matching faceplate design.

 

[Rob 5,267]

19 hours ago, AndrewJohn said:

Welcome to the site, @mlw213.  Glad you found us.  Lots of information here.

 

I had a pair of DCM Timeframes, and my m200t really made them sing.  I got them from a friend that was upgrading speakers..., he drove them with a Pioneer receiver (forget which model - one with all that lighted face-dial stuff...)  The DCM's sounded ok at his house, but really came alive with the m200t amp driving them.  I still have the amp, but moved on with different speakers.

 

We LOVE pictures - post an image of your rig, when you get a minute.

 

Here's my office setup, with a C-2 preamp, a TX-2 tuner, and the m200t amp.  on the shelf below, you can see the top right corner of a DTL-50, that has a matching faceplate design.

 

I don't see a remote sensor on that C2 !

[Cring08 219]

WELCOME!

[AndrewJohn 9,914]

3 hours ago, Rob said:

I don't see a remote sensor on that C2 !

 

Old picture..., LoL.  I'll have to take an updated picture of that system.  

[The Raven 500]

Welcome aboard!

[BobTFM35 2,571]

Welcome to the Carver Site!!

[mlw213 19]

Any DIY mods or upgrade path for the m-200t? My setup could use some warmth!

[AndrewJohn 9,914]

12 hours ago, mlw213 said:

Any DIY mods or upgrade path for the m-200t? My setup could use some warmth!

 

Keyword searching on the site will bring up any shared project threads.

 

Here's one for you: 

 

 

[mlw213 19]

26 minutes ago, AndrewJohn said:

 

Keyword searching on the site will bring up any shared project threads.

 

Here's one for you: 

 

 

Thanks Andrew, I remember going through this late night a few weeks ago. Will get into it again.

[mlw213 19]

I have an opportunity to get an m-1.0t on my local marketplace. The Carver challenge original!

 

Can anyone opine on how that would stack up against an m-200t or vice versa? I know the 1.0t has a much better upgrade path but I’m curious about stock sound at the moment.  

[AndrewJohn 9,914]

19 minutes ago, mlw213 said:

I have an opportunity to get an m-1.0t on my local marketplace. The Carver challenge original!

 

Can anyone opine on how that would stack up against an m-200t or vice versa? I know the 1.0t has a much better upgrade path but I’m curious about stock sound at the moment.  

 

I have one.  It's a nice sounding amp.  I drive a pair of CarverFest 14 speakers in my office with it.  It can fill the room, or clear the room, depending on how loud I turn it up. 😉 

 

Every Carver amp has a unique signature sound..., I have nearly every one, except one, I think.  I like them all.  I never try to "compare" them, as that is a futile exercise - especially if trying to decide which is "better"..., 

 

"Better" and "Best" is subjective at best.  Use your own ears and be careful not to chase something that you may not find - Every year, I go to AXPONA to see what is new on the market ..., even though there are some great systems on the market, I always leave feeling even more satisfied with the Carver gear I own.

 

Last thing I'd say about your question is that anyone (even me) answering it with their own opinion on how an amp sounds..., well, your ears are different.  I try not to let others tell me about what my ears will hear..., it leads to disappointment.  It's good input, but trust your own ears, budget, interest, collecting objective, OCCD, etc..., invest a little, to satisfy your ears, and you'll be happy, along the never-ending path.  Remember, it's not a "destination", it's a "journey" full of experiences that are affected by sources, your preamp, your speakers..., did I say your speakers?, and the music you like to listen to.

 

Hoping that is helpful, but if not, just ignore it.

[mlw213 19]

7 minutes ago, AndrewJohn said:

 

I have one.  It's a nice sounding amp.  I drive a pair of CarverFest 14 speakers in my office with it.  It can fill the room, or clear the room, depending on how loud I turn it up. 😉 

 

Every Carver amp has a unique signature sound..., I have nearly every one, except one, I think.  I like them all.  I never try to "compare" them, as that is a futile exercise - especially if trying to decide which is "better"..., 

 

"Better" and "Best" is subjective at best.  Use your own ears and be careful not to chase something that you may not find - Every year, I go to AXPONA to see what is new on the market ..., even though there are some great systems on the market, I always leave feeling even more satisfied with the Carver gear I own.

 

Last thing I'd say about your question is that anyone (even me) answering it with their own opinion on how an amp sounds..., well, your ears are different.  I try not to let others tell me about what my ears will hear..., it leads to disappointment.  It's good input, but trust your own ears, budget, interest, collecting objective, OCCD, etc..., invest a little, to satisfy your ears, and you'll be happy, along the never-ending path.  Remember, it's not a "destination", it's a "journey" full of experiences that are affected by sources, your preamp, your speakers..., did I say your speakers?, and the music you like to listen to.

 

Hoping that is helpful, but if not, just ignore it.

Makes sense to me! I was essentially asking - if I were to own a Carver between the two of them, which would be the one to own / is the 1.0t notably different. 
 

I’m already trusting my ears and working on room treatment. I also mentioned needing some ‘warmth’ in my sound and am trying out an old B&K amp I found locally to see if it’ll give me that warm fuzzy hug I’m looking for. We shall see!

[AndrewJohn 9,914]

The m1.0t has more power, and can drive different speakers..., Many prefer it.  For my office system with a C-2 as the preamp, I like the m200t with similar look in the stack.  Yes, to me, they sound different, both are on my "A" list..., but they also sound different because I have different speakers connected to them.

 

i avoid phrases like "sound stage", and "noise floor", and ..., other audiophile terms, mostly because I don't understand them, or they mean different things to different people, depending on where you use them. I just let my ears tell me what I like and go with it.

 

That's about all I can say.