[Chris_B]

In another thread, someone noted that the Carver ZR1600 specifically was a little noisy due to the RF RF emissions and noise in the amp.  One theory was that the 1600, due to the bigger power supply, would be noisier than the 1000.  

Do you ZR1600 owners think that the amp is noisy or have excessive hum in the speakers?

[JCC]

The only thing noisy is the fan, which should be replaced.

[Chris_B]

Can the fan just be disabled if the amp has decent airflow around it?

[RussKon]

the fan can be disconnected without any problems...

the tech support from carver professional told me that by disconnecting the fan the rated power output will be about 10% lower than the stated spec....

so my ZR1000 will put out about 200 watts per channel @ 8 ohms versus the 225 watts on the spec sheet....

i've been running my ZR1000 this way (fan disconnected) since last october and it never runs hot and sounds fantastic!

 

[Chris_B]

thanks Russ

[audioengr]

I disconnected the fan on a 1600 and the heatsink got very hot.  I think some sort of fan is prudent for this one.

[Stevo]

Sounds like a speaker and volume level dependent question.

I concur with Audioengr; after running a week without the fan connected, the top of the ZR1600 was quite warm to the touch.  With a swapped fan in place, the unit has only a hint of warmth on the top lid.

[RussKon]

does anyone know what the exact differences are between the ZR1000 and the ZR1600??

are there different chips?... or more chips?... or are these two amps similiar to two 350 cubic inch V-8 engines.... one is 225 hp (watts) and the other is 300 hp (watts) because of the way the engines are tuned????

i thought of this analogy because of the heat issue.... as i stated above... even pushing my speakers very hard and getting over half of the front LED's to light up, my ZR1000 runs cool to the touch... same result if i run the audio system all day at moderate levels.... and the fan has been disconnected since i got it (last october).....

granted.... i am powering klipsch KLF-30 speakers (102 db @ 1watt @1meter efficient)..... but on more than several occassions (with the neighbors gone) i have cranked it up for extended periods.... i was three rooms away - in the garage.... but it never got hot...

just a thought....

additionally.... my "sweet spot" chair is 10.5 feet from my speakers and i cannot hear any hiss at all from them (stock ZR1000).... now i just wish my refrigerator was not so damn loud...

 

[audioengr]

RussKon - The temperature of the MOSFETs is not a function of the music.  They are hot just from switching.  It's hard to tell how hot they are just from touching the top cover.  Also, it is good to know that MOSFETs typically sound better when they are cool.  Their Ron value is smaller.

The schematic indicates that the only differences between the 1600 and the 1000 are component value differences. I believe the design is identical.

[RussKon]

RussKon - The temperature of the MOSFETs is not a function of the music.  They are hot just from switching. It's hard to tell how hot they are just from touching the top cover.  Also, it is good to know that MOSFETs typically sound better when they are cool.  Their Ron value is smaller.

The schematic indicates that the only differences between the 1600 and the 1000 are component value differences. I believe the design is identical.

maybe i should have stated it differently...not a function of the music...but a definite function of the demands on the amplifier... that is why you see so many variable speed fans on most professional amplifiers....

when the amp is operating at low levels there is less heat generated and the fan operates at a slower rpm.... as the demands on the amplifier increase - the temperature increases and then the fan operates at a higher rpm to compensate....

the amount of heat generated within the amplifier is in direct relation to the demands placed upon the amplifier...

so..the louder the music... the greater the amount of heat that is generated...