[Marbles]

Is this potentially irresponsible hyperbole on behalf of new and excited Carver owners?....sure, it's a good amp for a $1000, and probably a good amp modified at $2600. But are you really saying that it can compete with a $16,000 Pass, even though it didn't blow away the ARC?
I think some effort to place these opinions onto context is required on behalf of the people making the comments. ..

Rooze, welcome to Audiocircle!

Yes, there was certainly some over the top hyperbole going on with at least one of the modded Carver amps.  

FWIW, I have heard good things about Odyssey monoblock amps driving maggies well.

[spectralman]

Hi Rooze,

You are quite right.  The stock Carver is an OK amp for the money, but reaaly fails in complex musical passages with massed instruments, is very lacking in detail in the mids and highs.  There is little to no depth or width to the soundstage, no separation of instruments.  Microdunamics aren' tthere, macrodynamics are just OK.  The bass is its stongest point.

However, the EA modded Carver is a whole new ballgame.  I heard earlmarc's EZ modded Carver driving Maggie 1.6's and was mightily impressed.  I also brought my stock Carver along for a direct comparo.  Earlmarc's amp was very open and extended in the mid's and highs, had incredible soundstaging and instrument placement, good micro and macrodynamics.  Couldn't tell much about the bass with the 1.6's.

I then sent my amp in to Steve for modification.  After 250-300 hrs on the amp, I couldn't be happier.  The bass is really tight and extended.  I can't honestly say it beat my old amp (a Spectral DMA-200 in an all Spectral/MIT setup), but it cost a LOT less money.  The Spectral beat it in micro and macrodynamics, and just about everything top to bottom, but the Carver is sweeter and less fatiguing.  I believe the Carver may also have more depth of soundstage.

Bear in mind, I have never listened to any of the other super amps you are considering.  I will say that earlmarc's comments are pretty darn spot on, with as little personal bias as is possible.  Earlmarc states what is there regardless of who owns what equipment (including his own) and is not a person given to hyperbole.

Bill

[rooze]

Thanks Bill, thanks Marbles for your candid responses. I was begining to think it was just my old and tired hearing.
Based on your input I will persue the option of the EA upgrade, at least to the point of learning more about what's on offer.
Bill, I notice you are in Racine, we are having a Green Bay Audio Society meeting on October 9th....you are very welcome to join us for the day if your schedule permits it. We will be invading Nate's home this time, Nate has a nice setup with Sota, Krell, Kharma etc.

Carl

[JCC]

If you go to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest stop by the Daedalus Music suite and listen. You will be able to hear the fabulous DA-1 speakers.

In addition you will be able to hear the Reference Audio Mods modified Carver ZR1600.

This is great combination!  Let me know what you think!!

   

[rooze]

Thanks JCC, It's a bit off the beaten track for me, but I appreciate the heads up. I also appreciated your comments and enthusiasm for the modded Carver, and I will eventually get to hear a modded unit for myself.

Thanks

Carl

[spectralman]

Thanks for the invitation, Rooze.  However, I am on call for work that weekend  and cannot leave the Racine area.  I would like to get together with your group at some time in the future.  The loosely based group in the Milwaukee area is trying to set up a time for everyone to listen to the new JJAZ amps being promoted by Boulder Cable.  Audiojerry is trying to work out the details with Wayne.  I will let you know how things shake out.  It would most likely be sometime in November.

Bill