Carver - just wow!

[juptonstone]

I recently was lucky enough to acquire a Carver C-6, which as I understand it is the same as the C-16... In fact, many C-16's have C-6 circuit boards. The only difference is the color scheme... Oh and the fact that the C-6 is exotic because of its rarity. But I digress...



This preamp, is to my experience, the nicest that I have ever heard. I have a friend whose audio system leaves mine in the dust and he swears by his Carver. Anyway, I have never turned either of the two bass or two treble controls above or below neutral. The only thing that I have done is to use the Sonic Holography feature which really does miracles with the soundstage.



One of the features that I am only puttingntompartialmuse is its ability to control two simultaneous stereo amps; not a feature available on anything I have previously owned or available on any preamp I have personally seen, although I am certain that there are many others with the capability.



Carver claimed the C-16 as its finest preamp and I have no doubt that they were right. This is one preamp that I thing will stay with me for a long time to come.

 

[Kingshead]

Purchased one new in 1991 (C-16), along with eight other Carver pieces. I agree it's an awesome preamp, cue up Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" for a real demonstration of what sonic holography can do if set up correctly, which is very critical If you haven't had the chance to read the owner's manual. If you don't have the manual, get it or you just won't be able to make full use of all this unit is capable of.

 

[jmchrislip]

I really like Carver equipment. I know some don't but I've always liked the quality and sound.

 

[juptonstone]

This is my first experience with Carver. For some reason other equipment ended up in my system. This entire system though is the result of a lot of waiting, several bad purchases, some good purchases and some awesome luck.

Having listened to this Carver I love what it does. I have a small Magnavox tube amp and I am hoping to wrangle a deal for two small mono tube amps next week. I also use a Chinese tune buffer... Wow is all I can say

 

[Kingshead]

My current Carver pieces.

 

[Empireman]

I have always enjoyed vintage Carver amps and preamps. I used a TFM-35 to power Apogee Stage speakers and still use my C-2 Preamp (which I like better than the C-1 I had). Great stuff!

 

[71CNY]

Is that a Minimus 7?

 

[faber12]

Is that a Minimus 7?

Sure looks like it.

 

[Kingshead]

Yes it is, I have about a dozen, also have two of the wood minimus 7's taking up the rear channels. My home theater experience isn't what it used to be before the great sell off of 2012, but my main concerns have always been 2 channel playback anyways.

The Carver DPL-33 has three channels of amplification for the center and rears which I'm currently employing to great results. In the past I had a Carver TFM-25 powering some Infinity mains, a TFM 15-cb bridged mono for an Infinity center, a second TFM 15-cb driving a pair of Lineums for the rears, and a Soundtech A1000 amp powering the two passive subs I buit in fed from the 80hz line out on the DPL-33. This Carver surround processor is very flexible with line outputs to facilitate such a system. I purchased it new in 1991, they show up from time to time on eBay for around $50.