Carver TFM-15 YAY or NAY

[Billy1973]

Just reaching out to anyone that may have any knowledge or experience with the Caver TFM-15 amplifier. I have read some negative comments on Carver amps in general. I have been told that Carver amps have a tendency of catching fire. Is this true? Is the Carver TFM-15 a good and solid amp?

 

[sKiZo]

Methinks some folk tend to exaggerate. They do tend to run hot and probably shouldn't be left on 24/7. Might not be a bad idea to be sure to power down when you're not actually using it.

... and you should have a fire extinguisher handy anyway, right? <G>

 

[Grenadeslio]

Just reaching out to anyone that may have any knowledge or experience with the Caver TFM-15 amplifier. I have read some negative comments on Carver amps in general. I have been told that Carver amps have a tendency of catching fire. Is this true? Is the Carver TFM-15 a good and solid amp?

Actually these run very cool, very nice amps. First I have to ask, is it the TFM 15 or TFM 15cb, same amp except the 15cb can be bridged mono for 280watts.

I've had and have both, one bridged mono for my center channel speaker in my surround setup, the other drives my rear surrounds.

Back in 1990 I purchased a complete Carver system of separates, with a TFM-25 amp driving Infinitys, later I added the TFM 15 and TFM 15cb to power the other speakers for a surround setup.

That system is no longer with me but I've replaced most and again have two of the 15cb amps for the multichannel sound when used.

 

[Billy1973]

Actually these run very cool, very nice amps. First I have to ask, is it the TFM 15 or TFM 15cb, same amp except the 15cb can be bridged mono for 280watts.

I've had and have both, one bridged mono for my center channel speaker in my surround setup, the other drives my rear surrounds.

Back in 1990 I purchased a complete Carver system of separates, with a TFM-25 amp driving Infinitys, later I added the TFM 15 and TFM 15cb to power the other speakers for a surround setup.

That system is no longer with me but I've replaced most and again have two of the 15cb amps for the multichannel sound when used.

The Carver in question is a TFM-15 not the TFM-15cb. Thank you for your feedback. I have a friend that is trying to steer me away from the Carver and get me into an Adcom 535L. The Adcom 535L is only 60 watts per channel. I think I will be picking up the TFM-15 and pairing it up with my Sansui 3000a to power my Polk SDA-2A's. I also like the looks of the TFM-15 with those analog needles.

 

[sKiZo]

Carver stuff can mysteriously creep into your system and surprise you. Never really planned for it, but I'm currently running a C4000 pre, a CT7 tuner, a H9av holo (mostly for the synthed center out), and also have an M400 cube driving the back channels of my pseudo quad. I've also got another H9av as well as a couple C9 holos in storage.

 

[Billy1973]

Just dumped the EQ and installed the Carver TFM-15. Sounds great and running cool so far. I am using a Russound ADP-1.2 Speaker Level to Line Level Interface since my Sansui 3000a does not have a preamp. The Polk SDA-A2's sound amazing with this setup.

 

[SDA SRS 1.2]

I initially powered my SDA’s with the TFM-45 amp and thought it sounded great at the time. With the SDA’s rated at 1000 wpc Max, the Carver could run out of steam on the most demanding music. I never had any issues with it until a sneaky lighting strike took it out (not even powered on when it occurred) and I replaced it with a Sunfire Signature 600 and noticed quite an improvement.