Advice needed - A.K.A. In over my head(HELP!)

[Renny]

I have been gifted with a pair of Boston Acoustics A-100 dspeakers - series 1, i believe, and a Bob Sunfire Carver Classic Vacuum Tube Control center, along with a Bob Carver Sunfire Load Invariant High Fidelity Stereo Power Amplifier.
I contacted Boston Acoustics about the speakers - supplying them with the serial numbers - asking about the specs, recommended watts, and what type of fuses were required, they said they no longer had that info in their system. I think they were just blowing me off.
I then contacted the Carver Audio Repair center Hi-Tech Audio Ltd in Gresham, Oregon and spoke with Rolland, he was beyond helpful and sent me PDF's for both pieces of Sunfire items, but looking at the back panels of these things, and reading through the PDF's, i feel like i need a degree in electronics - have i mentioned i'm something of a luddite? -
I have zero clue as to what kind of cables/wires i need, or how i would go about connecting these things together.
I do not as yet have a receiver or any other auxiliary equipment - cd player, phonograph, etc., but i'm guessing connections are standardized. I do not know if the A-100's can handle the wattage of the Sunfire equipment. On that note, is the Classic Vacuum Tube Control Center a pre-amp?
Can anyone lend some guidance?

 

[larryderouin]

Can you take some pictures of the Front and back panels of both chassis'?? And the connections on the BA's. Usually connections between amps, preamp,tuners, CD, Tape decks, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. are made by RCA Cables. What brand, etc is up to you. Note however the distancebetween the RCA jacks. Some manufacturers put them right up close together and the only things that would fit are the old stock, narrow head cables. FAT HEAD cables may not fit next to each other. Be prepared to take a slice off two sides of the insulation on the ends to make them fit.

The C.V.T.C.C. is most likely a preamp. I'm not familiar with Carver's stuff, but being that the other is an amp, and this is a "CONTROL CENTER" which is a common early 60's term, it's logical that it is a preamp. The pics will tell for sure.

 

[zandru]

Boston Acoustic A100
Frequency and Power

• The crossover frequency for the speaker is 2000 Hz.
• The frequency response is between 39 to 20,000 Hz.
• The speaker rating is 100 watts, the impedance is
• 8 ohms and its sensitivity is 90 dB.
• The power is 15 to 75 watts per channel.

Sunfire Classic Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

Manufacturer's FR Specs: 1 Hz - 80 kHz

5 inputs (RCA)

2 pairs of outputs (1 pair RCA, 1 Pair XLR)


Bob Carver Signiture Sunfire Load Invariant High Fidelity Stereo Power Amplifier

PDF Users Manual
‎www.smarthomegroup.com/productfile/684b.pdf

 

[Renny]

Can you take some pictures of the Front and back panels of both chassis'?? And the connections on the BA's. Usually connections between amps, preamp,tuners, CD, Tape decks, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. are made by RCA Cables. What brand, etc is up to you. Note however the distancebetween the RCA jacks. Some manufacturers put them right up close together and the only things that would fit are the old stock, narrow head cables. FAT HEAD cables may not fit next to each other. Be prepared to take a slice off two sides of the insulation on the ends to make them fit.

The C.V.T.C.C. is most likely a preamp. I'm not familiar with Carver's stuff, but being that the other is an amp, and this is a "CONTROL CENTER" which is a common early 60's term, it's logical that it is a preamp. The pics will tell for sure.

E

Can you take some pictures of the Front and back panels of both chassis'?? And the connections on the BA's. Usually connections between amps, preamp,tuners, CD, Tape decks, cassettes, 8 tracks, etc. are made by RCA Cables. What brand, etc is up to you. Note however the distancebetween the RCA jacks. Some manufacturers put them right up close together and the only things that would fit are the old stock, narrow head cables. FAT HEAD cables may not fit next to each other. Be prepared to take a slice off two sides of the insulation on the ends to make them fit.

The C.V.T.C.C. is most likely a preamp. I'm not familiar with Carver's stuff, but being that the other is an amp, and this is a "CONTROL CENTER" which is a common early 60's term, it's logical that it is a preamp. The pics will tell for sure.

Hi larryderouin, thanks for responding. Here are some pics. The top one is the control center, then the power amplifier, then one pic of each of the speaker back sides. Would I connect the preamp to the amp, then the speakers to both - or just one or the other?
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.
Renny

 

[BillWojo]

WOW, someone gave you that Carver stuff? That Carver amp will drive almost anything, probably weld with it. The best source of info is "The CarverSite", join up and ask away. They also have a pretty comprehensive library available.
By the way, that Bob Carver signature on the front, he actually signed that unit. All the signature series were hand signed by Bob. Cool stuff.

 

[Renny]

WOW, someone gave you that Carver stuff? That Carver amp will drive almost anything, probably weld with it. The best source of info is "The CarverSite", join up and ask away. They also have a pretty comprehensive library available.
By the way, that Bob Carver signature on the front, he actually signed that unit. All the signature series were hand signed by Bob. Cool stuff.

BillWojo - Yes, it was incredibly generous. Your welding comment made me laugh!
Thanks for the tip on the carversite.com.

 

[mrwood200]

I have been gifted with..... I do not as yet have a receiver or any other auxiliary equipment - cd player, phonograph, etc.,

Would I connect the preamp to the amp, then the speakers to both - or just one or the other?

Looks like you have a project!
Was the equipment working before you got it?
Your post does indicate some additional research may be required prior to plugging it in.
You will need a source (e.g., CD player), that will hook up to the preamp via RCA interconnects, then to the amp via RCA, then to the speakers via speaker cable (lamp cord OK).

 

[Renny]

Looks like you have a project!
Was the equipment working before you got it?
Your post does indicate some additional research may be required prior to plugging it in.
You will need a source (e.g., CD player), that will hook up to the preamp via RCA interconnects, then to the amp via RCA, then to the speakers via speaker cable (lamp cord OK).

Hey mrwood - I do not know if it was in working order prior to my receiving them. I visually inspected the exteriors; There are no dents, dings, cracks or rust - and nothing rattled around when I moved them. The Bob Carver equipment was kept in an office of a business that recently was dissolved, so I have good hopes on that score. The A-100's were kept in a basement and, while there are no overt signs of mold, they do smell musty, and some of the veneer is slightly the worse for the wear - that is an area in which I have competence.
I know next to nothing about electronics, and less about vacuum tubes, so I have not even plugged them in and tried to power them up. I wanted to research things a bit, to understand what I have first, and pick up a receiver.
I appreciate your interest and help.
Renny

 

[mrwood200]

I would recommend you have someone with tube experience inspect the Carver's prior to proceeding. You have the start of a high-end stereo, and may want to proceed with caution.
I have routinely found 'surprises' in used equipment, where tubes are missing, wrong tubes, fuses, etc. I found a soldering iron in my last pair of speakers!
In addition, your equipment may be due for some maintenance (e.g, bias tubes).
The A-100's should work fine, but these are lower-end speakers that may not demonstrate the Carver quality. Also, a receiver (radio tuner+preamp+amplifier) will not add a lot of value to this setup; a tuner, CD player, and/or turntable would be better choices.

 

[Renny]

I would recommend you have someone with tube experience inspect the Carver's prior to proceeding. You have the start of a high-end stereo, and may want to proceed with caution.
I have routinely found 'surprises' in used equipment, where tubes are missing, wrong tubes, fuses, etc. I found a soldering iron in my last pair of speakers!
In addition, your equipment may be due for some maintenance (e.g, bias tubes).
The A-100's should work fine, but these are lower-end speakers that may not demonstrate the Carver quality. Also, a receiver (radio tuner+preamp+amplifier) will not add a lot of value to this setup; a tuner, CD player, and/or turntable would be better choices.

Thank you - that is good advice.
If I connect the amp to the control center - which I guess is also a preamp - do I hook the speakers up to the amp? Do I hook up the tuner to the preamp?

 

[mrwood200]

Yes - when you are ready, speakers to amp, tuner to preamp
You can see the tuner inputs on the back of the preamp/control center. Two (2) RCA interconnects required, one for Left channel, one for Right.
Then you connect the preamp to the amp. Two RCA interconnects required. Looks like 'Main1' output from preamp to 'Normal' input on amp. (Not exactly sure what 'Lab Direct' is; I would get manual & review)
The speakers will attach to the amp via the black/red loudspeaker binding posts.

Please note that most tube require a load/speakers hooked up when turned on. Operating without speakers may damage equipment.
You could hook it all up to see if it works, probably won't hurt anything, but I would not. I would check it out first. I believe the Carver equipment was originally priced well over $1000 each, so some patience/technician review may be appropriate. Consider posting your location to your profile; there may be an Audiokarma member nearby that could help!

 

[Renny]

Yes - when you are ready, speakers to amp, tuner to preamp
You can see the tuner inputs on the back of the preamp/control center. Two (2) RCA interconnects required, one for Left channel, one for Right.
Then you connect the preamp to the amp. Two RCA interconnects required. Looks like 'Main1' output from preamp to 'Normal' input on amp. (Not exactly sure what 'Lab Direct' is; I would get manual & review)
The speakers will attach to the amp via the black/red loudspeaker binding posts.

Please note that most tube require a load/speakers hooked up when turned on. Operating without speakers may damage equipment.
You could hook it all up to see if it works, probably won't hurt anything, but I would not. I would check it out first. I believe the Carver equipment was originally priced well over $1000 each, so some patience/technician review may be appropriate. Consider posting your location to your profile; there may be an Audiokarma member nearby that could help!

Thank you - that clarifies things considerably.
On my speakers though, the connectors do not say 'left' or 'right'. It says 'o' and '8'. Would o be left and 8 right? Vice versa? Does it matter?
Thanks again,
Renny

 

[cademan]

You can use either speaker for left or right. Doesn't matter. Your choice.

0 actually means common or ground. 8 means that they are to be connected to an amplifier/receiver's 8 ohm speaker outputs. 8 also indicates to me that they are 8 ohm speakers. When connecting them to an amplifier, 0 on the speaker goes to 0 on the amp. Same as 8 from the speaker will go to 8 on the amp (if so implied).


The tube preamp doesn't have a built in power amp so turning it on won't hurt it without speakers because speakers don't connect to the preamp/control center. Speakers just connect to the power amplifier.

 

[Renny]

I do not have a 0 or 8 on the amp. I've uploaded some pics - as best I can - that show the speaker connections on the amp, along with a pic of the connector on the speaker.
Can you tell fom them which would be the correct way to make the connection?
Thank you very much,
Renny

 

[cademan]

Where it says, "Bi wire or use either", take your pick. With a two conductor speaker cable or simple lamp cord, connect the "0" from the speaker to the black post on the amp. Connect the "8" from the speaker to the red post on the amp. That's it!

Let's say this is for the right speaker connection. Do the same with the left speaker connection.

 

[Renny]

Thank you so much! I'm going out tomorrow and get some speaker cable, and (Hopefully) a tuner. I am very much looking forward to playing some tunes on this thing - I really appreciate your time and trouble - thanks!