Carver ZR/TriPath Amps

Dmason · « **Reply #40 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 03:38 pm »

True, they can be used as a volume control, however that is not their intended purpose. They are maximum level controls. Volume gain would be controlled from either a fader, a pedal, or a mouse in a pro audio situation. If you defeat them, you should find the sound jumping right out of the speakers and onto your lap. I would be interested in your own assessment of your ZR1600 experience and associated equipment.

ribit · « **Reply #41 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 04:33 pm »

I will post later when there is more time.

Randall

Hantra · « **Reply #42 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 04:36 pm »

Dan:

Please post some photos of your ZR. All of us would be very interested in seeing details of how your amp is configured.

Thanks!

B

RussKon · « **Reply #43 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 04:53 pm »

there seems to be alot of concern of the speakon connectors for the speakers on this thread...... really a minor issue....

they cost $6.19 each on parts express and are very easy to use....

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=15599856&St=8432&St2=-55203803&St3=73637660&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=2510&DID=7

Dmason · « **Reply #44 on:** 20 Sep 2003, 05:21 pm »

Sorry guys, I have no digicam. I probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to post pics, even if I did. Far too many choices when I checked them out.

Suffice it to say however, that the amp looks pretty unremarkable. My only indulgence in boutique-ness was a gold volume knob, which is the only visible accoutrement from the outside. I have since mounted it onto a shelf ceiling in a sideboard, entering in our livingroom after installing the bent remote control, with the remote sensor pushed into a small hole drilled into the faschia board, just in the eave, peeking out under the sideboard's top shelf. So that makes the sideboard a stereo component, I guess.

I started out with a Channel Islands passive, and decided to go the minimalist-purist-ultimate attenuator route, and be done with it forever. I am currently trying an NEC Multispin CDROM which works a treat for a transpo, with cache and all, sort of an anti-jitter ideal situation, above on the top, this is the ONLY visible sign of a stereo living in that room, other than the speakers, which are exceptional examples of furniture joinery in their own right. -So much so, I installed crown moulding all along the walls, to accentuate the bevelling on the speaker cabs. I tell you this to flesh out how all this was more of a holistic evolution, with aesthetic pleasance and technical innovation. My Martha Stewart Stereo!

Monolith · « **Reply #45 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:44 am »

Quote from: Dmason

Here is what I did: DaCT C2 resistor attenuator...

What value attenuator did you use with the Carver Pro?

Thanks

Dmason · « **Reply #46 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 04:49 am »

I believe it was 10K

sfdoddsy · « **Reply #47 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 09:00 am »

I have active triamped speakers, using the dbx digital crossover mentioned for crossover and EQ and this (and the other Sony based) thread are most interesting.

However, one question comes to mind.

One of the things I try to do with the dbx, and did when I used to have a Behringer digital EQ, is to keep the analog input levels as high as possible to maintain resolution in the A/D section. Theoretically you lose one bit of reolution for each 6dB of volume below digital max.

To this end I (and others) either use attenuators before power amps or do the volume control after the A/D D/A section.

Obviously you are feeding a variable analog signal into the Carver, and if using a passive volume control it won't be at pro levels either. So do you notice anything naughty at low volume levels?

Cheers

Steve

Dmason · « **Reply #48 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 01:16 pm »

this is a good question; Actually, this set up is far from optimal. I am using a Scott Nixon DACkit, with a rather anemic output of 1.6V. Although the DaCT doesnt seem to roll off much of the highs as heat, probably due to its excellent resistors, the voltage is considered sub par for those reasons. It may be why my older Sony DVP770 transport sounds almost as good, that I really need an active pre amp of sorts to optimize the input signal. But, it does sound fine, no problemo, just something I need to compare to in the future.

Question for you sfdoddsy, I noticed that the crossover you refer to, I assume to be the dBX Driverack, with 3 way out, Can it provide a two way crossover, and the ability to draw out the curves, using a computer, tracing published driver curves, etc? I am interested in going the active bi amp route using Tripath amps, or even the less expensive digital receivers, and getting the crossovers outta the way, and before amplification, where they should be.

sfdoddsy · « **Reply #49 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 01:55 pm »

I have the dbx Driverack 260, with a Behringer DCX 2496 sort of on the way for center and surrounds.

Yes it can do two ways, with pretty much any crossover point, slope and topology you want.

And it can show you graphically what these various changes will do to a theoretically flat response.

However, if you mean can you graph the response of a driver, input it into the dbx and then see what various slopes or crossover points do to the response of that individual driver, the answer is no. Ditto for the Behringer.

There are software programs that do this, I believe LSPCad is one, but they don't do the EQ. You would need to take the recommended filters and apply them to the Driverack.

My speakers were based on the Linkwitz Orions so I knew pretty much what would work, and I used measuring software to check them.

Here's what I did:

http://www.doddsy.net/steve6_009.htm

I'm pretty dumb, so if I can get good results anyone can.

Cheers

Steve

cyounkman · « **Reply #50 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 07:17 pm »

Quote from: Dmason

this is a good question; Actually, this set up is far from optimal. I am using a Scott Nixon DACkit, with a rather anemic output of 1.6V. Although the DaCT doesnt seem to roll off much of the highs as heat, probably due to its excellent resistors, the voltage is considered sub par for those reasons. It may be why my older Sony DVP770 transport sounds almost as good, that I really need an active pre amp of sorts to optimize the input signal. But, it does sound fine, no problemo, just something I need to compare to in the future.

Huh. I was thinking balanced out from the GamuT > NHT balanced attenuator > ZR500 > De Capos. The GamuT puts out 4v balanced. I assume there is a compatible internal dip setting?

Dmason · « **Reply #51 on:** 21 Sep 2003, 07:28 pm »

Chris, that would be a fantastic combination. A true, dual mono, balanced situation from source right into the amplifier. You could NOT go wrong. go to www.fullcompass.com for a big break on the NHT PVC pricing, and www.signalcable.com Frank is an EE audiophool with some verrry nice balanced I/C's. Uncle D says you will be very happy.

Monolith · « **Reply #52 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 01:58 am »

Contains lots of links, papers, "good" and "bad" lists, etc. Interesting reading for the insomniac.

http://www.puredigitalaudio.org/digitalamplifiers/index.shtml

audiojerry · « **Reply #53 on:** 22 Sep 2003, 04:04 pm »

Quote

http://www.doddsy.net/steve6_009.htm
I'm pretty dumb, so if I can get good results anyone can.
Cheers
Steve

You understate your abilities by quite a wide margin, Steve

Very nice website

DAVID GARLETT · « **Reply #54 on:** 24 Sep 2003, 10:10 pm »

First let me introduce myself, My name is David Garlett I am product specialist for Carver Professional. I had a wonderful phone call from one of you a while a go that guided me here. I realy got to say,

THANKS for all the kind words about our little amplifier (ZR)!! And further if any of you would like further clarification on the speaker output section or anything else about my thoughts on two channel audio feel welcome to drop me a line.
I did notice that there is talk about there being 1/4" outs, this is not the case for Carver Professional amplifiers. They all are either Speakon or 5-way binding posts....

Thanks Again for all the nice words!

DAVID

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #55 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:15 am »

I have a ZR1600 on order and will report on how it sounds in my ritzy, snobbish highend rig.

I think audiophiles would like RCA inputs, or a really classy 1/4" to RCA adapter (better than Ratshack, say gold/teflon like the Calrad).

Dmason · « **Reply #56 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:18 am »

Now if you can just use your influence and get DICK Cheney into one...

Marbles · « **Reply #57 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:37 am »

Quote from: Brian Cheney

I have a ZR1600 on order and will report on how it sounds in my ritzy, snobbish highend rig.

I think audiophiles would like RCA inputs, or a really classy 1/4" to RCA adapter (better than Ratshack, say gold/teflon like the Calrad).

Your right, we do like RCA's or balanced.

David, can you make "home audio" version of your amps?

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #58 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:46 am »

In additional to being your Vice President (thanks for voting) I also sing opera in my spare time. Do a google search and be amazed!!

cyounkman · « **Reply #59 on:** 25 Sep 2003, 12:48 am »

Quote from: Marbles

Your right, we do like RCA's or balanced.

David, can you make "home audio" version of your amps?

More on that: this version would
1) have no fan
2) have rca and xlr inputs
3) have high-quality binding posts
4) possibly omit the level controls and other extras; or at least allow the user to remove each from the signal path (I know this is possible with the level controls currently)