Sorry just thought you knew something that I had not heard of.
Carver 275 Crimson tube amp --- any feedback appreciated
I have a Platinum modified McCormack DNA .05 and a Pass Labs First Watt F5 with which I drive my Spatial Audio Hologram M4 Triode Master speakers. I have sworn off tube amps in the past, but I am intrigued with this new amp from Bob Carver. Wally Underwood as well as Jimclarkstereo in Illinois are now selling them for about $2500. I have never doubted Bob Carver's audio engineering genius. I would be keen to get a 75 wpc tube amp and the price seems very reasonable compared to similarly-powered tube amps.
I would be interested to hear what you lads think of this new amp. Thanks for any input you can provide.
I would be interested to hear what you lads think of this new amp. Thanks for any input you can provide.
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Articdeth : 04-18-2020 6:07pm Carver current amps are completely amazing! easy to bias, great warranty, hand wiring, no boards to flash out, and no fire hazard like sunfire, phase linear, etc. they are top tier amps made by one of audios royalty! If I had the scratch, the 350’s would be in my home! I have never heard anybody join the Sunfire products in the 40 year old flame linear rumor please tell me more |
username 'flasd' 3 posts total, all regarding the crimson 275 amp joined the board feb 20 2021 zero marketplace feedback zero system disclosed draw your own conclusions... |
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While I love these Carver tube monoblocs, I would not spend the money for a measley 75 watts. Sell stuff, o save a bit more for the crimson 350s’ You will need the headroom nod you will be much happier. Just ask @ozzy. Wish I had the scratch for the crimson pair, they would have been bought and in my system long time ago. |
Hello everyone, I believe I can pass on valuable information regarding my experience with the Bob Carver Crimson 275. Before I begin, some background is in order. I’m not a novice, initiating my hobby way back in the 70s sticking with the better products of the day— Acoustic Research, Dahlquist, Ohm and many others. More recently, I moved over to Paradigms, B&W’s and Triangles. I have a technical background having worked in service for Panasonic and JVC. I’ve also worked in hi-fi sales having been the factory territory sales rep representing JVC, Sony, TEAC, KLH and others. After hearing the debut of the Crimson 275 at the 2019 Tampa Florida Audio Expo impressively driving KEF Blade IIs, I spent the next two years researching and finally pulled the trigger and picked a 275. I’ve been putting my Bob Carver Crimson 275 through the ringer with a significant amount of various music genres,(Note: I’m unbiased and listen to everything when it comes to music),supplied through various sources, (Vinyl, Streaming, CD’s & Compressed), let me assure you the 275 sounds absolutely great. The way it reproduces and pronounces sound at times can feel like a near religious experience-- absolutely amazing. For those of you who are new to tubes and fear the thought of bias adjustment, adjusting the 275’s bias is simple and effectively achieved through a set screw located on the unit’s rear panel and so simple it’s really a nonissue for those who may fear attempting bias adjustments. I found my sweet spot, with a perfect sound stage and precise stereo image just shy of 80 mA on the units meter which is located on the 275’s front panel. As an added bonus, this meter also doubles as a tube tester as well, but as of yet have tried out that feature. Unlike my previous tube amp,a surprisingly well made Aiqin EL34B that the 275 replaced, there’s absolutely NO noise or hiss from the 275, guess that explains why Klipsch dealers push it so hard, especially with the big sensitive horn systems that reproduce hiss from almost all solid-state units. When nothing is playing, my loudspeakers are totally silent. The product is extremely revealing despite being non-fatiguing, I really have to make myself stop listening. I am able to easily hear the difference between vinyl, streaming, and compact discs and hear the superiority of my favorite LPs vs CD versions. What I feel is a bonus with the Crimson 275 should I decide to change loudspeakers at some point, is I’ll be able to match the amplifier’s basic character to that of the new loudspeakers to a degree using the bias control—100 milliamps or more if the speakers needed a bit more detail or, drop it to 80, for a larger soundstage with great depth. Concerned about the unit’s lack of weight, I called Frank Malitz, Bob Carver’s partner, and who is the current owner of the Bob Carver Corporation, he explained the light weight is due to the proprietary output transformers which actually had a better signal-to-noise ratio due to the nature of the winds, he advised adding more heft was destructive to the soundstage. The other reason he mentioned its lighter weight revolves around the power transformers, all three use a special steel, high-efficiency alloy, due to “magnetostriction”, which forces changes to steel’s molecular structure, which is common in transformers, requiring more sophisticated materials if the transformers are intended for high-performance audio use. Frank also explained Bob claims his specifications for the alloy and the winds are unique to this brand resulting in a high-efficiency yet lighter design. Mr. Malitz claims 90W x 2 within specification, and 130 W at 3% THD which David Manley, founder of VTL, Manley Laboratories,claims is not audible in a tube circuit, but Frank mentioned you can contact him through the Bob Carver website and he’ll send you a white paper on the topic. The build quality seems quite solid and it’s my understanding, despite having a circuit board, every solder joint is done by hand, (in their own California factory). It certainly looks good with a beautiful finish. I’ve never worried about tube heat, you truly can touch the tops of the KT 120s and not be burned; just don’t touch the sides. But if you or your kids brush against the tubes by accident you won’t be visiting the emergency room. Frank told me to expect a temperature of 98° on the nose if you measure the chassis temperature immediately in front of the output tubes. Apparently, it’s one of the reasons why they’re able to offer a five-year warranty on the amp, including tubes. It’s the coolest running tube amp in my experience. To sum it up I’ve experienced nothing but pure top-to-bottom sonic and visual joy from this unit but I would be remiss if I did not send kudos to Frank Malitz, who patiently answered all of my questions, staying on the phone with me for quite some time. I purchased the unit from Jim Clark of Jim Clark Stereo, who I highly recommend, he’ll walk you through technical issues and advise you on set up if you need help (which I did not), but it was obvious he cared and has the technical chops to handle any question. He’s an incredibly nice person and was a delight to do business with. But most of all, along with the best customer service from both Frank & Jim, I must thank Bob Carver for continuing to provide us with a most compelling musical experience, he’s sill got it with the Crimson 275, and if this is any indication of how the other Bob Carver products preform, you can have it too. Thanks Bob! System breakdown: Bob Carver crimson 275 amp Parasound ZPre3 Preamp ART DJPre II phono preamplifier Marantz SR 5010 AVR U-Turn Turntable/w Ortofon OM-10 phono cartridge LG UPKM9 Blu-ray Sony ES CA 70 ES CD player Monster Power HTS- 3500 Reference Power Conditioner Triangle Comete EZ’s - Main Speakers Triangle Comete VOCE EZ center channel loudspeaker B&W LM1’s for Atmos, Paradigm Cinema 110 ADP v.3 rear surround speakers. SVS- SB12- NSD sub |
I have had MANY carver pieces in my collection and have enjoyed their features. I have had the CUBE, some Sunfire gear-pre-amp,the matching amp with the glass, a TFM-25, a Carver c-2 and the list go’s on. Then when I needed them to be repaired, HERE WE GO! the telephone number don’t work anymore, their was a building that did repairs in Suquamish Washington no more,gone!! try this number SORRY we used to do repairs. I got TIRED of the B.S. and the run around, I feel Mr Carver comes up with a product to have some spending money for a trip to Spain. And they say WE DON’T HAVE A REPAIR Facility, because the amps don’t come back, Well yeah maybe for that first year!!! but lets try 10 years down the road. How do we know your Marketing guy will be around for the next ten years? Their is a list of dead audio company’s on Agon that audiophile are complaining about, because they can’t find a simple schematic or that part that they can’t cross reference to find. If and when I spend my HARD EARNED cash on a product I want to feel warm and Fuzzy that their is a company. that owns the building and I can pick up the phone and PEGGY SUE will direct me to the right department at the Carver corperation, I like supporting American Company’s and I would love to purchase this amp.but in the audio world we Millennial care more about the cash we spend, take a look at APPLE and how we stand in line for their products and the support.and now with COVID 19 and people homeless and jobless,the purchase of a 2.7k and more for a power amp can be a hard sell. |
Also to rocknss. If you want tubes and XLR, check out the Luxman CL38uc tube preamp. It's one that is still on my short list for a possible Vincent replacement. http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=27 |
I understand where you are coming from rocknss. I am a audio snob/purist in the belief of keeping my hifi system and HT system completely separate.
I'm also stubborn about using sub woofers. I think they have no place in a properly set up hifi system, but are completely necessary for home theater.
That aside, I'm not even sure I would want to run a tube set up for an HT system as there are so many excellent solid state alternatives dedicated to home theater. The obvious drawback is that you end up with a lot more equipment, and it's usually all crammed into the same listening room. I solved that dilemma by choosing which one I wanted more and kicking the other to the curb. In my case, hifi won! |
Thanks hobo1452. Unfortunately that video showed something that I wasn't aware of that kind of kills that option, no XLR inputs. In a mono block setup I will definitely end up with longer interconnect runs. Complication with going tubes is another thing that holds me back. This system is shared with my home theater so I don't want to have glowing tubes while watching movies (some sort of switcher required) |
Another BTW; I seriously considered buying two Crimson 275's and running them mono blocked, then decided against it. Why? At this point in my journey, I am all about simplifying things, not making them more complex. A mono block set up would have necessitated getting matching stands and re arranging my listening area to accommodate them. It would have required more cabling to connect them. It would have doubled the number of tubes that had to be monitored for changes. And finally, I really don't need 150 watts per channel. |
The Crimson 275 can most assuredly be configured mono. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2NHT2MbYA&t=66s |
I have one and thinking of getting another and go mono!!! Anyone try this yet? I am pretty sure that the 275 cannot be configured mono. I was really hoping that they would come out with something in between the 275 and 350. My speakers, Legacy Whisper XDS, have built in amps for the woofers so the 275 would likely be adequate but would prefer some mono blocks in the 150 or so range (partially just for the mono block display coolness factor) |
New owner of a Crimson 275 purchased from Jim Clark. I love this amp! I've been around long enough to remember riding my bike to the corner drug store to test tubes from the family's tv's and radios. A little over a year ago I decided to get back to the basics of tuby goodness and bought a Vincent SV-237MK hybrid. Loved the sound of it enough that I decided to try a full tube rig. I picked up a chifi Muzishare X-7, a surprisingly well built and competent integrated amp running KT88's with a both SS and 5AR4 for rectification. I did run it for a short time as an integrated, but it has no tone controls and was a little too neutral for my tastes. The 237MK has an excellent tube preamp in it, and really made the X-7 sing. After about two months with it, I was hooked and started shopping for a final replacement. My requirements were, preferably US made, by a company with a reputation for quality, and a price below $6 K. I remembered Bob Carver's name and reputation but didn't know he was still actively producing equipment. It didn't take long for him to jump to the top of the list. I really liked his methodology for running the tubes at a less demanding voltage because I don't much care for the crap shoot of replacing output tubes on a regular basis and hoping that the sound at least stays the same. One thing I really liked about the X-7 was it's selectable Ultralinear/Triode output mode. I much preferred UL for the majority of listening because triode, at least with the X-7 was slightly muddy. I had read that Bob Carver wasn't much of a fan of running tubes in UL, so I was kind of leery about that. Jim Clark convinced me that the Crimson 275 didn't have a triode sound signature, so I ordered one up. Best audio choice I've made in awhile. Using the Vincent as a preamp, the Crimson 275 comfortably walks the center line between ultralinear and triode all while retaining the best of both. Paired up with Klipsch Cornwall 3's, it has deep but not overwhelming bass, vibrant midrange, and clean but never harsh highs. I have no idea how it would sound with a preamp with no tone controls, and being old school, I would never buy one. Part of the reason I bought the Vincent was because it has both tone controls and a loudness switch. Most of my listening is at lower volume levels where a loudness switch really makes a difference. Let me start this summation by stating that I don't work for Jim Clark, nor have I ever met him! If you are hanging on the fence about the 275, get it from Jim Clark, and you can send it back if you don't like the sound. That's why I bought mine from him. All you will be out is shipping, and since it doesn't weigh 50 pounds like most tube amps, even that's not a deal breaker. One poster made a statement about the weight of an amp equating to quality. The Crimson 275 easily debunks that one too. BTW, you can mono block the 275 and get 150 watts per channel. Jim has a video both on his store site and YouTube on how to accomplish it. You'll get pretty much the same sound signature as their Crimson/Raven 350 Monoblock for $4 K less. (their words, not mine, but I believe it) The Crimson 275 is a keeper. My System: Bob Carver Crimson 275 Vincent SV-237MK Sony HAPZ1ES Technics SL-1500C/Ortofon 2M Bronze Klipsch Cornwall III Pangea Audio Premier SE interconnects SKW Speaker Cables Pangea and other brand high current power cables Furman SPR-20i on dedicated 20 amp circuit with Pangea outlet |
Just got my 275 and am enjoying it a lot. Driving Wharfedale 225s in fine fashion. I must comment of some of the hyperbole about the tube heat... don't you dare try to touch these! Maybe they aren't as hot as other tube amps, but they will burn you! I wish Carver would end this BS about laying an arm across the tubes. (bias meter hovering around 100ma when playing). |
Update after more time with this amp. I’ve been listening to the Bob Carver Crimson 275 with a Primaluna dialogue premium preamplifier for over a month now. You can change up the sound with one 12ax7 tube roll or two12at7. The amp came biased at 100mA but the manual says you can adjust it down to 60mA for a softer more tube like sound and up to 120mA so it’s been a lot of fun experimenting with different sound. I found out I have one of 35 Crimson 275 made with a subwoofer switch, in which they dropped that feature because newbs mistakes and phone calls. I like the subwoofer switch feature it frees up the amps power to 80hz and above. I’m glad I have one with this feature as I use a Velodyne Mini Vee sub for 80hz and below. I wouldn’t call the tubes cool but they are not blistering hot and you can touch them without getting burnt. I’m keeping it. Sounds great and a lot of fun changing up listening experience without buying new gear |
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The PL HP is a great amp, I will say stick with the EL34s, I Believe the amp is optimized for them and sound best with them, I tried KT 120s and went back to EL 34s, the PL does it all and very closely compares to the Crimson 275 but the the 275 just had a level of realism that is undeniable. Even my wife noticed it and she is not an audiophile. I can’t comment on the Schmitt Freya, my preference is tube preamps and my PL Preamp is a great match. On another note concerning your Forte IIIs don’t use the factory jumpers bi-wire them or upgrade your jumpers, I’ve bi-wired my Cornwall’s, it has a profound effect on performance. |
@gumbypimp , Your opinion on the Crimson 275 versus the Primaluna is very intriguing to me. I'm so tempted to make the comparison as I have the HP Integrated. I us Klipsch Forte IIIs. Can you tell us more about this comparison? If I made the switch I'd have to run my only preamp sitting around, a Schitt Freya. I'd love to do a shootout. |
Whitestix what does it matter anyway. All us 65 year olds are deaf as a door nob. You got cataracts yet? My first year on Medicare has broken both Uncle Sam's an my bank. We joke about the Fuzzlinear 700 but I had one and at the time it was insanely good. It highlighted how bad the Crown amps were and that SS amps had a future. Carvers current amps are no different. They show us how good and reliable a transformered tube amp can be and as always at a reasonable price. Go for it! I really would like to hear his line source loudspeakers. I'll bet they are not far off the ESL line source mark. |
I have a Crimson 275, FirstWatt SIT3 and a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Amplifier, PrimLuna Dialogue Premium Preamp, DENAFRIPS Terminator DAC, PS Audio Directstream DAC, Oppo 203, Custom Solid State Computer as server, IsoTek Aquarius conditioner and Klipsch Cornwall III in Indian Rosewood. I can say after going back and forth with both DACs and all my amplifiers that the Crimson 275 bested them all In Sound staging, micro and macro dynamics, inner detail and transparency, it just sounds real. |
I've had my Crimson 275 for about 4 months. It has approximately 50 hours. It is driving a pair of Goldenear Triton 2's. Love the sound...the 275 replaced two 200w mono class d amps. Always was interested in Carver since the 70's when the Phase 700 hit the stores. Well, I'm a believer ...Built solid, its beautiful, but most important it sounds great! |
A friend whose judgment I trust has recommended a pair of the 350s for my Magnepan 20.7s and I'm very tempted but I do wish there was something between the price level of the 275 stereo and 350 monos. It would be great if the 275 stereo could be converted to a monoblock for example. I just don't think the 350 monos are in the cards dollar wise for me. I may at some point seek out a used pair. That's where I'm at. I could purchase the 350s but think they are overkill, the 275 would probably suffice but would prefer something in between. |
A friend whose judgment I trust has recommended a pair of the 350s for my Magnepan 20.7s and I'm very tempted but I do wish there was something between the price level of the 275 stereo and 350 monos. It would be great if the 275 stereo could be converted to a monoblock for example. I just don't think the 350 monos are in the cards dollar wise for me. I may at some point seek out a used pair. |
Hello everyone, I have been the happy owner of a Crimson 275 since Dec. 24, 2018. It is my first tube amp, so I can't compare it to any others; however, I can say that its sound is far superior to my NAD C 368 (I know apples and oranges, but it's the only kit I have for comparison). It generates a lot more current and I have to keep the volume level much lower than I do with the NAD. I also get a fuller, richer sound with the Carver. Setup was simple. It was already properly biased out of the box. One of the fuses blew about a week ago, but extra fuses are included and biasing was super simple. All I needed was a flat head screwdriver. BTW, I didn't buy my unit from Jim Clark but his videos convinced me to take the plunge. I was leaning heavily toward a Prima Luna Prologue Premium integrated amp because of my lack of experience with tube equipment. Ultimately, I opted to take advantage of the special pricing for the Crimson 275 and own an amp designed by an audiophile icon. The 5-year warranty on the tubes was also a contributing factor. I too have been surprised by the lack of buzz about this product. I was hoping to read the opinion of someone who has a frame of reference with other tube amps. Nevertheless, I am a happy. One last thing, I've been using the NAD as a preamp until I purchase a proper preamp dedicated for use with the Crimson 275. |
I'm a bit late here, but we voice the 275 to sound identical to the 350s which sound very much like our top-of-the-line silver seven 900s. Using Bob's transfer function testing, we can make all the amplifiers sound identical. They are all based on the silver seven sound which is based on Bob's own listening preferences combined with BBC research and human physiology which Bob was a deep background in. Once hooked to a loudspeaker though, the differences in the amplifier models are somewhat more audible, but it's subtle. With a waiting list, since day one, I've not appropriated any units for review. Why would I? We're selling them faster than we can make them and people are yelling at me because of the waiting time. I can tell you this: virtually all of our dealers guarantee satisfaction with a money back promise yet we've not had a single unit returned out of the hundreds we've sold since its introduction only a few months ago. We've also had no defectives, but that's true of every model. The cherry mono amplifiers referred to above were not manufactured by my company. Frank Malitz CEO The Bob Carver Company |
