Newbie looking for advice in shopping for Carver

[genxer 8]

I’m looking to buy some Carver gear to replace the monster setup I sold to some frat boys in the eighties to move across the country to chase adulthood. Was hoping this site would provide some tips on how to find quality refurbished gear. 
would be nice to have another m-200t and a preamp.

[jmcipale 91]

Look here as well as ebay and US Audio Mart (iirc). You may be able to find things on fb marketplace depending on where you are located. 

[xavionics 2,276]

Welcome to THE Carver Site!

This is the place for all things Carver -  and more.

 

The m-200t would pair up nicely with a c-1 preamp.

Nice, simple, visually matching setup that will do well.

The c-1 is a long time favorite of many, including me.

 

When searching for purchases on line, I would go into this with the expectation that the gear is now pushing 50 years old and should be serviced.

Serviced by yourself, if you are versed in servicing electronics and possess the proper gear.

Or, have a pro service it.

I recommend Nelion Audio https://nelionaudio.com as Greg is very well versed in Carver and performs exceptional work.

His prices reasonable and are very well worth the cost.

You will then possess a system that functions as good as new, has a warranty, and will provide years of listening pleasure.

 

I offer this as a starting point to open a conversation. The folks here will steer you in the right direction for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, you did say "monster setup" didn't you?

 

Edited Thursday at 01:32 AM by xavionics

[Sk1Bum 12,711]

Hello genxer and welcome to thecarversite.com. Glad you found us!

 

Here are the searches I use for Carver preamps. 

 

This ebay search is for a C-1, C-11 and C-19.

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carver+(c-1%2C+c1%2C+c-11%2C+c11%2C+c19)+-(ad%2C+review%2C+sheet%2C+advertisement)&_sacat=293&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

 

This ebay search is for a 4000t and C-19.

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carver+(4000t%2C+c-19%2C+c19)+-(ad%2C+review%2C+sheet%2C+advertisement)&_sacat=293&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

 

This US Audiomart search is for any Carver preamp.

 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/search.php?show_other_marts=N&show_msrp=N&keywords=carver&search=Search&type=&cat_id=1&price_min=&price_max=&province=&photo=on&titlesearch=on&zipcode=&radius=100

 

This ebay search is for an M1.0t amp

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carver+(m-1.0t%2C+m1.0t)+-(ad%2C+challenge)&_sacat=293&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

 

This ebay search is for M4.0t, TFM-45 and TFM-75.

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carver+(m4.0t%2C+tfm45%2C+tfm-45%2C+tfm75%2C+tfm-75)+-(ad%2C+review%2C+sheet%2C+advertisement)&_sacat=293&LH_PrefLoc=3&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

 

This ebay search is for M-500t (my favorite), M-500, and Silver 9t.

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=carver+(m500t%2C+m-500t%2C+m500%2C+m-500%2C+7t%2C+9t%2C+monoblock)+-(ad%2C+challenge%2C+clamp%2C+clamps%2C+brochure%2C+sheet%2C+review)&_sacat=293&LH_PrefLoc=1&_sop=10&_svsrch=1

 

and finally this US Audiomart search is for any Carver amplifier.

 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/search.php?keywords=carver&cat_id=2&type=All&province=All&match=any+of+my+keywords&photo=on&titlesearch=on&price_min=&price_max=&zipcode=&radius=0

 

While I've not set up a specific search for and M-200t, that last search I linked to should pick up an M-200t listed on US Audiomart. It does show one for sale in Michigan for $249.

 

We're all politicians here. We LOVE spending other peoples money.

 

I hope that helps.

 

 

 

 

[Half Life 1,087]

Welcome from Virginia!  Enjoy your stay!

 

Good advice above.  Best thing to tell you is to be patient as deals do come up from time to time on the sites that @Sk1Bum mentioned.  I too highly recommend Greg, @Nahash5150, at Nelion.  He's restored a couple of pieces of Carver gear for me and I couldn't be happier.  Outstanding work.  Best of luck in finding the Carver gear you're looking for.  You may also want to consider some of Bob Carver's Sunfire line.  Some really good equipment there too.

[Charlie 18,114]

All info thus far is solid and dependable; enjoy your hunt and don't be afraid to ask more questions!!!

 

[3M_Audio 2,263]

I'll echo that all the above advice is good but especially the need to be patient. There is a lot of this gear out there and the pieces you are looking - and in good condition - will surface periodically. Remember to budget into your purchase price that the piece you buy will typically need to be refurbished.

 

Good luck with your hunt!

[stereo_dog 1,538]

Welcome to the Carversite, all good info, so far. Good luck in your hunt!

[AndrewJohn 10,805]

Welcome to the site, @genxer, lots of info here.

 

The one thing I would add, is that once you get engaged in this hobby, and in Carver audio fandom, you will find that selecting something, is not a decision to land at a final destination..., it is instead, just another stop along the way, call it "a journey..." and one day, you'll wake up with multiple amps..., or find that you have gone through flipped, and migrated to different amps along your Carver Journey...

 

Don't fret or fear that - it's an exciting experience! 😉 

[Cring08 281]

WELCOME!

[BobTFM35 3,039]

Welcome to the Carver Site!!

 

@Sk1Bum gave you some very very very good search locations. I particularly like the one for the preamps, and especially the US Audio Mart one for the amps.

 

It not only has your m-200t (give a best offer) but a nice selection of 275 tube amps. Very VERY tempting for the 275 tube amps. I love mine, and had two others on loan from my son. They are great sounding amps.

 

Ask Greg about converting the binding post on the 200t that is shown in that search.

 

The journey starts now, and will be rewarding as it continues.

 

Wish you the best!!

 

 

[Kurt 3,167]

Welcome to the Carver Site from a fellow GenX er!  

 

My advice for shopping for Carver gear (or any used audio gear ).  I've done a lot of this... I have what we call on this site: "OCCD" Obsessive Carver Collecting Disorder.

 

-Get familiar with current prices on ebay/US audiomart, etc.... all the bigger resale sites.  There is some variability, but you can get a sense for what a Carver unit will go for.  Make sure to differentiate from units that are being sold as "parts only", or "turns on/working", or "refurbished".  And, don't forget to include shipping costs.  At the end of the day, what can look like a deal turns out to be something that may need lots of work, or maybe has an excessive shipping cost.

 

-Get familiar with refurbishment costs (unless you plan to DIY).  As many have mentioned, Nelion is a great place to have your gear refurbished, but that will add to your investment.  

 

-Then, if you can be patient, look for person to person local deals, FB marketplace, Craigslist, Garage/Estate sales, thrift stores, etc.  I have bought almost all of my gear locally, over time.  The advantages: No shipping cost, you can physically try out the gear, touch it/see it, before buying.   And, for whatever reason, people who sell locally seem more inclined to lower prices- vs those who are "flipping" units on ebay for example.

 

-Lastly, watch this site for gear sales or even "Karma" opportunities.  (Some members will actually give away gear here on this site from time to time).  The people on this site will not steer you wrong or take advantage of you and most on this site have the technical expertise to tell you exactly how well the unit is functioning, what's been done to it, etc.

 

Good luck!