Looking to buy a Carver amp

[Adam Stouffer]

I'm in the market for used Carver amp but have some questions about the
various models. A lot of rackmount amps are on ebay, are they primarily
used for DJ work? They don't have volume controls or switchable inputs.
What is the general opinion about the older amps from the 70s or 80s?
Are they worth buying today?


Adam

[Walt]

Adam Stouffer wrote:

> I'm in the market for used Carver amp but have some questions about the
> various models. A lot of rackmount amps are on ebay, are they primarily
> used for DJ work? They don't have volume controls or switchable inputs.



These sound like "pro" models intended for sound re-enforcement,
theatre, Discos, etc. It's just an amplification stage, so only one
input per channel, and sometimes fixed gain. For home use, you'd want
to add a preamp (input switching, tone control, balance control, etc.)

Be aware that these amps are probably looking for a +4 dbu signal rather
than the -10dbV that home stereo equipment provides, which may mean that
you don't have enough gain to drive them. Also likely is the presence
of a loud obnoxious cooling fan. Not something you want in your living
room.

> What is the general opinion about the older amps from the 70s or 80s?

If you refurbish them (i.e. replace all the caps etc.) they'll probably
be fine, but why bother when you can buy new stuff for the same price as
it costs to rehab the old? If you like playing with antiques, go for it.

> Are they worth buying today?

The main advantage of Carver gear is that it's lightweight compared to
other similar gear. If you're schlepping it around a lot, that may be a
good thing. If you're just setting it in your living room, probably not.

//Walt

[Adam Stouffer]

Walt wrote:

Thanks for the info. I would be using the amp for home listening so all
that pro gear is out. You may have swayed my opinion on Carver a bit.
The NAD 2100 series of amps look like good bargains.


Adam