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Carver M1.5t vs. Krell or ML

Hello again. My screen name might ring a bell, as I recently initiated a discussion re updating my bookshelf speakers. For those keeping score at home, I’ve narrowed my search to Dynaudio Focus 140’s. Crap shoot without an opportunity to audition, but that’s the leap of faith I’ve got to take. We’ll hear as it goes.

So, I’ve got a Carver M1.5t, that’s literally still in the box, after a multi month sabbatical at Hi-tech Audio, Ltd. in WA state. Top to bottom refurb. I’d owned a Phase Linear 400 for decades, so the M1.5t was an easy choice when a very well cared for example became available.

The rub, is that after weeks of lurking about these parts, my long dormant interest to upgrade is making itself known again. Coming back to the fold as it were, I find there are older Krell and Mark Levinson amps that I could actually afford, at least pre-owned.

Obviously I’ll never be confused for a true audiophile, but I do value/appreciate good “stuff,” but only to the extent that it will provide at least some degree of sonic improvement over what I have now.

My preamplifier is a line stage CJ PV-12. My main upstream source is a semi-respectable, Adcom GCD-575.

Am I suffering from amp envy or is there a case to be made for an “upgrade?”
128x128carerra4s
normansizemore
601 posts
 
This post inspired me to break out my ancient Phase Linear 4000 and Phase Linear 400 for a long term listen.

The 4000 is the quietest preamp in my house.  That’s with the correlator switched out.  It is also the most dynamic.  The highs are crystal clear and smooth.  The bass is full and powerful.

We play music in the house everyday, and I get comments like “I never notice that before’ from my adult kids and especially my wife.

My audio buddies are a bit snobbish and write if off as mid-Fi, but watching the expressions on their face tells me otherwise.

I still prefer my ‘does everything right’ Sansui 9090DB for its silky presentation, but listening to this long term reminds me why I bought it in the first place.

The biggest contrast is the 4000 compare with my marantz preamps.  Though I love the marantz midrange, they don’t come close to the lows and highs that the Phase pulls out from everything you play.  When you get used to listening to the Phase, other amps and preamp sound a bit lifeless.  Just to clear, I am not using it’s active equalizer, or peak unlimiter or auto-correlator.  Never have, not seen the need too.

Next week, I’ll give the marantz 24/16 combo a long term listen.
Isnt this the greatest hobby on the planet?

N






normansizemore
601 posts
 
Update,

The Phase Linear 4000 is back in the box.  It was fun.  Marantz is back to preamp duties.  The 24 pairs nicely with the KSA 50, which is a great amp to run on cold nights.  It will heat a small room.  =)

N 


carerra4s's avatar
carerra4s OP
24 posts
 
Thanks for sharing your Phase Linear flashback.

I had a much loved model 400 power amp, and during my ownership—1990 to 2010, it was driven hard, often, and put away wet for two decades...and it was long in the tooth when it came into my possession. Parted with it when I purchased the M1.5t, the component that gave birth to this thread.

While frowned upon as low-fi by many denizens in these parts, Bob Carver cranked out some heavy duty gear. Though some belief those amps had shortcomings with respect to being true high fidelity, they more than acquitted themselves with their robust design and long term reliability.

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