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?”
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.
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. =)
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?
While I’m a pretty strong 1st amendment type fellow, I thought an ad hominem attack on the Carver was a bit over the top, but as in all things auto & audio, YMMV....
FWIW, I’m holding on to the M1.5, but I did purchase a Class’e CA-D200. First piece of new audio I’ve bought in 20 or 30 years, and so far I’m really pleased with it in my set-up.
I just love it when someone unilaterally starts bashing a product based solely on the name. Really? Anyone ever read the reviews of the Carver when it came out? I don’t ever recall anyone calling it garbage, or lacking detail or power. Can anyone point me to such a review, because I can pull several positive reviews of this amp. I have an old Krell, and I know for a certainty that the Carver will give it a good run.
If you’re happy with your amp, why are you wanting an upgrade? The Carver will run headl to head with just about anything. I’ve heard them in several fine systems, and have always been impressed.
The Carver 1.5t is absolutely garbage. I have no idea why you think it was a good idea to purchase it. An Emotiva amp is miles ahead in sound quality never mind an old Krell. The Carver lacks detail and control and sounds flat and lifeless. Strongly recommend you audition some other amps.
@jtucker...2001, with the infamous IMS bearing issue. I’ve installed a Guardian, ferrous metal monitor. In theory, it goes ape $&*# just before the engine lunches itself, and provides a tiny window to shut down.
I just cross my fingers and drive. If it grenades, I’ll have a nice piece of static art in the driveway.
@oddiofyl...I have an outboard, Creek OBH-8 mm phono preamp, but have yet to put that in the loop.
I agree, put it all together and then , tweek and listen. Then decide where you stand. The PV 12 is a very fine preamp. I had a 1.5t and a 1.0t way back and both were solid amps. Definitely retube, if you do not listen to vinyl you can start with tubes V5 and V6, 12au7 type. If you have a 12L linestage only there will only be tubes in positions V5 and V6.
I had a 1.5t when they first came out. A bad ass amp if you like loud. Should sound pretty good with the CJ. No worries with 86db, you've got lots of power.
Yes, I’m afraid I got a bit carried away there. Went back and took a look at exactly was done to the Carver, and for all practical purposes, it was pretty much a—to borrow a collector car term—frame-off restoration. Considering my listening habits and chronological age, that amp could very well outlive me.
To that end, the Carver’s a known entity. Any ML or Krell I could afford would be a bit long in the tooth and not likely to have just undergone a complete resto.
So, let me get this straight. You have not listened to the reconditioned 1.5T amp yet. You have not received your Dyna 140 speakers yet. You have not heard anything yet, tweaked anything yet, determined what your likes and dislikes are. The Dynas have an 86db sensitivity, small woofers, and are rear ported. They should be on stands, imo. It will take time getting them set up in your room, as they are rear ported, and you will want to experiment. The 1.5T should be able to help you with this. You will discover power, damping, tone, dynamics, imaging, etc. from your set up. You might need new tubes for your preamp. My advice, get it all hooked up, let it all play for a week to allow for break in time ( specifically the rebuilt amp ) and take it from there. Enjoy ! MrD.
That would certainly be my preference. Budget realities, however, dictate that in order to go high end, used—or in hipster speak—vintage is the only viable option.
My understanding is that me pre, though over 20 years old, is still held in high regard by more than a few.
With regard to power amps in general, is that not so much the case?
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