Carver C-500 OR Carver tfm?
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laatsch55
Super Member
The C-500 was in response with Bob's first Carver offering wasn't it?/ The first amp out of Carver had some issues, trying to remember the number. There are better Caver amps out there, the PT series are good. The 1250, 1800 and 2400 specifically. I own a 2400 and it tested at 838.25 watts per channel into 8 ohms with both driven from 20 to 80,000hz. A monster..
avguytx
Lunatic Member
That's what they make adapters for.
You're going to have to wait for responses here for people who've actually compared a C500 to a TFM25/35 amplifier, or have owned both simultaneously. I own a TFM-55 and (2) M-1.0t's and have heard many of the others through the years but not in a side by side comparison.
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
To answer your question, I would give the nod to the c-500 if you plan to give it a full restore i.e. new caps etc. This is an old amp but if the electronics are refreshed and all settings are adjusted properly it will serve you well especially if you pair it up with a c4000 preamp. The tfm series are a bit newer but here's the rub. I have one of the tfm amps and although it performs it's duties, it's physical appearance is cheap. Although it looks nice in a picture, almost all of the face is plastic as is the cheap level dial. The earlier c-500 has a more robust feel and is much less "run of the mill".
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Rob41
Don't stop believin'
Fair question but it's a really tough call for me to make. I have had amps in the past that sounded like they had no soul, like they were lacking dynamically. All of the amps listed in my signature are very pleasing to me and very musical. The SAE 2200 is not yet repaired so I cannot speak to that.
All but two actually sound very similar to me. The Carver M1.0t MKII Opt 2, performs as if it's not there; it is the most transparent. The SAE 2600 I have just rebuilt (and not yet set the bias on) has an amazing sound stage that is very noticeable and of a caliber I was not expecting. I think it's my new favorite amp.
My ears are not so finely tuned to give a better evaluation. I do switch out amps every week or so and enjoy them all. I believe sonic improvements are possible with most of my amps once I get around to recapping them. Of the two stand outs, they are the two that have been fully recapped/restored. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but is certainly possible.
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I have never heard a C-500 but I'm driving a pair of Boston VR-20's in my office system with a TFM35. It sounds very good, is very clean, has ample power to drive almost any speaker but like most of Bob's designs it seem a little lite on the bottom end. Even with full range speakers it just does not have very strong bass. Just my two cents...
avguytx
Lunatic Member
I agree with this 100% as I own one of those, too. It's an outstanding amplifier after the upgrades and updates and it's hard to find one that sounds much better for my ears. It definitely doesn't have me wondering about changing amplifiers any time soon. I also own a TFM-55 and it doesn't feel cheap to me. The front panel is the same type of aluminum/metal as my M-1.0t but I do believe the gain knob is plastic, but doesn't bother me. It serves its purpose.
Rob41
Don't stop believin'
I think you will enjoy it very much and either amp would have paired well with your CV speakers. I mainly use my CVPD-3's I bought in 1985 when I was still a teenager.
Hopefully either you're up to a solid rebuild or can have it professionally rebuilt and adjusted. These older amps really shine with the full treatment.:thmbsp:
