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What to up grade next

Anixdeep

New Member
Hello fellow AKers this is my first post first off I like to say thank you for taking the time to read this thread I've been a long time reader first time poster so this is my problem currently I have Carver amazing Silver Speakers which are great speakers but I have to pull them 5 feet away from the wall to sound best and the wife keeps on pushing them back and on top of it I finally got my first tube amp it's a music Angel M5 845 very beautiful looking but it's only a 60 60-watt ER and I have a very old Harman Kardon AP 2500 preamp which is slowly dying every once in awhile it sounds beautiful most of the time it sounds okay and far few in between that it sound completely terrible there's a audio shop by my house and the guy almost got me convinced into just getting rid of my speakers and getting a used pair of Usher S520s and also the subwoofer Stans the SW 520's for about seven hundred and fifty bucks but I'm torn do I upgrade my speakers to better match my amp or do I upgrade my preamp for the phono stage he also has a jolida phono stage preamp or a zenn audio pre 1525406700182-149310569.jpg for about the same price I'm not sure what to do what would you guys recommend upgrading the phono preamp first upgrading the speakers
 
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I would really want to hang onto the speakers but they are just not right for your living space.

As far as going to one place and buying stuff just because he's got these things to sell, wouldn't be the best option. Maybe sit tight a little longer, search CL for things in your area and try them before giving up anything.
 
I originally was using a ATI 1506 amp with the carvers and it sounded good to me until I got the tube amp . And then man o man I never new what I was missing I was hearing things I never had before . But the volume out put was cut down to like a 1/3 of what it could go with the ATI . And I'm afraid that the speakers might be too hard on the amp or vise versa and one damage the other. Thanks for the responses by the way.
 
Try using the HK as a phono preamp only, by taking its signal from the Tape Out jacks, into your new tube integrated. Is the phono section by itself less variable in sound quality? It seems evident that you like the new amp, so can you live with the reduced volume? I'll trade off volume for clarity any day, but that's me. If you are keeping the amp, then maybe get a separate phono stage, unless the HK is sufficient.
 
That's exactly how I have the HK hooked up currently and I think I might just end up going that route spending the money on a phono preamp I have a feeling that the HK is on its last leg and I don't know if I'm willing to spend the money to get it recapped . Any recommendations for under 700.
 
If you really like the sound of those Carvers there is a very good chance that a conventional box speaker won't sound quite right or as good to you.

Perhaps you and your wife already have the best compromise; you move them out for listening and your wife moves them back when they're not in use.:D

I've always liked the sound of Carver Amazing's. Yours seem to be in great condition. However, they really need more power. I'd start with 100WPC.
 
Carver himself spilled the beans on The Amazing Loudspeakers years ago after customers started complaining of ribbon tweeter blow outs. Stereo shops were selling these telling customers them low wattage amps were adequate when Carver said they were designed for 1250 watts a side.
I agree because I bought a pair with a 200 watts aside Carver receiver which would clip off when I cranked it.
When it comes to this speaker go big or go home. To get these sings to sing I would go with a pair of mono blocks putting out 400 minimm a side.
You might want to turn off the extended bass feature on the back of these speakers if they stay against the wall. I loved these speakers and I have thought of buying a used pair.
Hope this helps.
 
Carver himself spilled the beans on The Amazing Loudspeakers years ago after customers started complaining of ribbon tweeter blow outs. Stereo shops were selling these telling customers them low wattage amps were adequate when Carver said they were designed for 1250 watts a side.
I agree because I bought a pair with a 200 watts aside Carver receiver which would clip off when I cranked it.
When it comes to this speaker go big or go home. To get these sings to sing I would go with a pair of mono blocks putting out 400 minimm a side.
You might want to turn off the extended bass feature on the back of these speakers if they stay against the wall. I loved these speakers and I have thought of buying a used pair.
Hope this helps.

"Monster mono block" word association: McIntosh.
 
I do love the carvers when positioned rite they sound effortless but I do worry about running them at low power causing damage to the ribbons . At the moment they seem to sound awesome as ever the tube amp brings out more detail and realism to the vocals and sound in general. I ended up upgrading my turntable from a Sanusi 626 to a vpi not sure of the model or age of it but a buddy of mine had it and knowING that I always loved they way it looked and sounded at his place when he upgraded he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse 1525665375098-1302805549.jpg
 
I do love the carvers when positioned rite they sound effortless but I do worry about running them at low power causing damage to the ribbons . At the moment they seem to sound awesome as ever the tube amp brings out more detail and realism to the vocals and sound in general. I ended up upgrading my turntable from a Sanusi 626 to a vpi not sure of the model or age of it but a buddy of mine had it and knowING that I always loved they way it looked and sounded at his place when he upgraded he offered me a deal I couldn't refuse View attachment 1181238

If that's a single plate on the plinth it's a HW-19Jr with what looks to be a Rega arm. It's missing the motor pinion and belt cover.

Wow that seems interesting have you heard this amp before how does it sound that is definitely a reasonable price for sure if the quality is their

Although I've heard an amp from ClassD Audio, I haven't heard that specific model. The one I heard (SDS-120) is a lower powered model. It was/is driving a pair of Elac UB5's. I thought the combo sounded very good. It has piqued my interest in the higher powered SDS-470. There are a couple of posters here who use amps from ClassD Audio. There are others here who use Crown Drive Core amps. If you start a thread asking about either brand and specific models you should get responses from owners.

FWIW: A pair of bridged Crowns drive my DIY TL subs.
 
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