Trading TFM 75 for PT2400.

[Reel Bond 5]

I have two TFM 75 in good to great condition, a friend would like to trade me a beat-up but working PT2400 with some cash coming my way, what does the community think is fair.

Thanks.

[Charlie 17,211]

Just my 2 cents worth but unless this contact is going to hand you a large wad of cash as well as the PT2400, I would keep the TFM75s as they are very rare amps and almost impossible to find.  I would send the amps to Greg at Nelion to be restored and you will never go back...

 

Nelion Audio - Authorized Carver Repair

[Sk1Bum 12,295]

Hello Reel Bond and welcome to thecarversite.com. Glad you found us.

 

As Charlie pointed out, the TFM75 amps are rare and expensive. Personally, I'd say no thanks unless the cash boot was enough to replace the TFM 75. 

 

I did a search of the various auctions and audio listings, and there aren't any TFM 75s listed that I could find. The last few listings I've seen have been in $2K range, but I don't know if they sold or not. Occasionally you will see a listing for $1500. 

 

From what I've read here, the PT2400 is the professional version of the TFM 75. Both amps are discussed here is several threads, and maybe some of the folks with first hand experience will chime in.

 

I hope that helps.

 

 

[BobTFM35 2,931]

First Welcome to the Carver site!!

 

The last 75 I looked at went for $2000.00

 

The restoration of a 75 will cost $1200.00, and I can only assume it will be the same for the 2400.

 

I don't know if this is a good representation of the trade, but this is how I visualize this swap.

 

What you have,

 

What will be traded to you plus some cash,

 

In the end its whatever makes you happy.

 

[Charlie 17,211]

32 minutes ago, BobTFM35 said:

First Welcome to the Carver site!!

 

The last 75 I looked at went for $2000.00

 

The restoration of a 75 will cost $1200.00, and I can only assume it will be the same for the 2400.

 

I don't know if this is a good representation of the trade, but this is how I visualize this swap.

 

What you have,

 

What will be traded to you plus some cash,

 

In the end its whatever makes you happy.

 

 

That's a great visual on how this deal could go down.  I would still stick with the TFM 75s if at all possible...YMMV

[Rob 6,137]

Welcome to the site! 
I would keep the TFM75’s. They are worth a lot more than the PT2400’s. 
 

And they are pretty much the same amp. But that’s just my opinion. But if you really want to do the deal, I have a 2400 I’ll trade with you. 😁

Edited December 13, 2025 by Rob

[Belvedere2 241]

I'd only do that deal if it was my best friend......can't imagine giving up a TFM if I had one.

[AndrewJohn 10,631]

Welcome to the site, @Reel Bond.  Glad you found us.

 

I will say it..., "DO NOT TRADE!" that is a bad deal.  

 

PT-2400 amps are pro amps, while it has similar performance characteristics as a TFM-75, unless it was fully restored including a re-finished faceplate, it's going to show years of hard knocks being on the road with a band..., Some "like" the look of a PT-2400, but for me, the TFM-75 is far more sexy-looking in my stack in my listening room..., never mind the WAF (wife acceptance factor).

 

If you are itching to lose one of the TFM-75's to know what true loss and grief feel like, send one to me 😉 ..., you will regret it.

 

The TFM-75 amps sell on the low-end for $2000 (and that's a RARE FIND).  Typically, they are going for $3000 - $5000 as I look back at my resale notes.  The PT-2400 with its utilitarian look and function as a pro-band-amp, rarely go for more than $1500, in mint restored condition, maybe $2000.  Beat up and not-working condition, only a few hundred bucks.

 

Post a picture of your TFM-75 amps..., we'd love to see what you have!

[Half Life 868]

Looks like we all ride the same bandwagon - keep the 75's.

[jjptkd 1,498]

On 12/12/2025 at 7:26 AM, Reel Bond said:

I have two TFM 75 in good to great condition, a friend would like to trade me a beat-up but working PT2400 with some cash coming my way, what does the community think is fair.

Thanks.

 

Some variables here like do you need the money and how good of a friend is he? Are you trading both 75's for a single 2400? The 75's in factory good condition are worth roughly $2k each and a beat up 2400 is probably worth, lets be generous at $500. So a "fair" deal would be $3500 cash plus the 2400 for both 75's. Now in the past what I've done for friends is offer them a great deal either at my cost or sometimes well below cost with the condition that if they ever decide to sell or trade up I get first chance at the item at our original deal price. Hope this helps and as others have stated I'd try and keep the 75's or at least one of them. 

[jjptkd 1,498]

17 hours ago, AndrewJohn said:

The TFM-75 amps sell on the low-end for $2000 (and that's a RARE FIND).  Typically, they are going for $3000 - $5000 as I look back at my resale notes. 

 

Wow- not sure what sites you follow but can't say that I've ever seen a 75 sell for more than $3500. Most that I've seen sell for around $1800-$2200 and I've bought probably 5 or 6 over the years around the $1200 mark. 

[AndrewJohn 10,631]

39 minutes ago, jjptkd said:

 

Wow- not sure what sites you follow but can't say that I've ever seen a 75 sell for more than $3500. Most that I've seen sell for around $1800-$2200 and I've bought probably 5 or 6 over the years around the $1200 mark. 

 

I'm in the midwest..., and the $5000 sale was on eBay (and USAudioMart, I think..., about a year ago.  Another one out of St. Louis about 18 months ago, went for close to $5000. 

 

It's not about the sites one uses to search for gear..., it's primarily about the amp's condition combined with location, demand, and a buyer's willingness to pay.  I think even here on TCS (I won't call him out) one of our members listed their TFM-75, restored by Greg at Nelion, for $5000 in close to mint condition.  It is the high end, for sure.

 

I'd love a TFM-75.  It's the one amp that I would like to own, but have never found the right opportunity to buy when I had the free cash..., so I watch pretty intently - and wait..., and my willingness to pay is not at the high-end. 

[jjptkd 1,498]

2 hours ago, AndrewJohn said:

I'd love a TFM-75.  It's the one amp that I would like to own, but have never found the right opportunity to buy when I had the free cash..., so I watch pretty intently - and wait..., and my willingness to pay is not at the high-end. 

 

Yeah, the TFM-75 is in my top 3 solid state amps ever made by Carver along with the 625x2 and Lightstar. The 625x2 and 75 were very similar to my ears either one could be a "destination" amplifier. As far as rarity the 625x2 or "600 two" is by far the least common from what I've seen, I've actually seen more Lightstars for sale than 600 two's, and probably 5 times as many 75's as either of those.  

 

I was tempted by that refurb'd 75 listed here awhile back he is fairly close to me (within 500 miles?) and I believe the last listed asking price was $3400 and a willingness to drive it up to the Seattle area. That is an excellent deal in my opinion with all the work that was done to it, just hard for me to justify when my Carver 275 has enough power to drive my Klipsch speakers and I have a pair of Crimson 350's sitting here. 

[engtaz 126]

PT2400 is a Pro amps the is not tuned like the TFM-75.  You can her the differences.  Most PT2400 were road hard and tuned with mixers to what the bands wanted. PT2400 is more of a flat sound verses TFM-75 tuned amp.  A lot of of amps are tuned for their sound.