Anyone still using a Carver Pro ZR1XXX?

jswallac · « **on:** 10 Oct 2005, 04:28 am »

These amps were all the rage about a year ago, but I have not read much about them for some time. Have they been surpassed by newer and cheaper alternatives (Panny, JVC, Sonic Impact, Clari T)? Seems that they cannot be beat in the brute power arena, but maybe sonics are better in some of the newer alternatives. Just curious about the status of these amps.

Pheno · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 04:51 am »

I have been very happy with my eight nerve modified Carver Pro ZR1600. I also haven't heard much about this amp in a while.

Todd

anicca · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 01:26 pm »

I too still have my eighth nerve modded ZR1600 and just love it. Great bass control and open, clean extended highs, at least in my opinion anyway.
I actually had and opportunity to compare the amp to the NuForce Ref 8 monos in my system. Well, it certainly wasn't obvious to me that the ref 8's were superior to the 1600, which I kinda expected given all the hype about them. Sure, they were darn good, with a laid back sound, decent bass and clean highs. But I gotta say that the NuForce were a little too laid back for my tastes. I thought the 1600 gave better bass control and just a more full presentation across the spectrum. Now, I use a passive pre-amp (sonic euphoria) so that may have a lot to do with it. I believe the 1600 has a 100K input impedence so it is easier to drive that amp. Anyway, just thought I would chime in about the 1600. A great amp and I am even thinking about having it fully modded by RAM or Emperical Audio sometime down the road if I can come up with the cash. There have been some positive posts about those mods, taking an already great amp to another level. Peace

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 03:19 pm »

Carver ZR-1600 amp with 8 Nerve mods here as well. Good amp if your looking for power.

I see there's one for sale in the Trading Post.... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=22092 ....very good (low)price...and there are a few modder's that can bring it to another level.

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MttBsh · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 04:07 pm »

I owned a ZR1000 for a couple of years and it was the best amp I had ever heard until I bought another tripath chip based amp, the Red Wine Audio Clari-T. The Clari-T, in my opinion, is the finest implementation of the tripath chip, improving on all of the strengths of the ZR amps.

Matt

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Oct 2005, 05:45 pm »

Almost forgot....I've got some photo's of the inside's of the ZR1600 with 8th. Nerve mods.... here...and...here....

Mags · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 08:23 pm »

"reliability issues' as they put it. BUT... Carver Digital (not Carver Pro) is now introducing (fall 2005) the M-series amps, which are basically the ZR's with the audiophile mods already done from the factory. They learned from the tweakers and are going after the home audio market with these. I anticipate them eagerly...
The M1200.2 (analogous to the ZR1600) retails for $2199.