Beautiful and LOTS of power.

None really.

I have owned many, many high quality amplifiers, both tube & solid state. This is the best amp I have owned. Lots of clean power. Beautiful looks. Runs cool. Great sound.

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Mac, DBX, Audio Dynamics, Ceratec.

Makes CD's sound warm and almost analog
Looks great

Lacks punch and clarity in the high end
Unnaturally colors the sound

I found a Carver M500T coupled with a Carver C1 preamp for sale locally on craigslist for $350. After reading reviews here and on other sites I had to check it out. I brought my trusty old Kenwood KA-9100 Integrated Amplifier along for comparison purposes. (Note: The Kenwood is rated at 95W RMS x2 and was purchased for $160). The speakers used for this comparison were JBL L100T's. I used the Carver M500T to drive the JBL's for my first listening. It sounded really good. Nice sound stage, more than ample power etc. Then I connected my Kenwood and listened to the same track. Compared to the Carver, the Kenwood sounded much more clean and clear. The highs sparkled in a way that would make any audio enthusiast smile. I'm currently looking for a pair of JBL L100T's for my own listening. In Carver's defense, the M500T did make the music sound more warm and analog, but like some reviewers pointed out it didn't sound pure and lacked punch in the high end. In conclusion, I liked the Carver, but it couldn't keep up with an older, cheaper integrated amplifier with 2.5x less power.

Lots of power, crissp clear sound, and rouged.

NONE

I must admit I misstreat my system ,M-500t and C-1 but still works great!!!
Best sound ever its pushing my custom build pair of Pionner 10s, pair fo Lanzar 12s and pair of JBL 12s IM telling you its a beauty, hands down just the BEST!!!!!!
I bought this lovely system at a garage sale in MEXICO and thats in PESOSabout $15.00 Dls.

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NONE

Though I was used to a pricey tube amp previously, the lower-priced Carver M-500t still has so many of the characteristics I was hoping to hear. It's got a great sound stage, warmth without being muddy, alive mids, accurate non-shrill highs, and power is not even an issue, with plenty to spare on the 2030's. I test newer component additions with favorite CD's: (very open recordings): Oystein Sevag, "Link", Loreena McKennitt, "Mask & The Mirror", Sarah Brightman, "Dive", and Delerium, "Semantic Spaces".

very very slight glare on mids, although I expect to continue audtioning different pre's in the coming days, and I believe that's where this ever so slight enhancement is coming from.

After hearing plenty of raves, I finally decided to pick up my own Carver M-500t and check it out firsthand. I'm well aware of Bob Carver's genious, and his abilities do come shining through on the M-500t. Tube-like indeed, and this is from a guy who has owned excellent (actual) tube amps for comparison. I'm currently using the Carver to power my ADS L2030 speakers, and the listening has been pure enjoyment! (Even through a mid-level pre). After the countless hours I've already put into "auditioning", I continue to hear delicate sounds that had previously gone un-noticed in my CD's. The cool-operating, cool-sounding M-550t has found a good home here, and has made me realize it's been engineered as a great bang-for the-buck amp. Anytime you're lucky enough to buy one under 500 bucks used, do it. You won't be disappointed. Especially if your tastes run close to "tube" sound.

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'Familiar with AR's, Krell, and Atmo-sphere tube amps.

Relatively light weight (26 lbs.) Beautiful. Reliable Powerful

None

I purchased the M500t power amp new in 1984 along with the Carver C-1 preamp. This amp powers my power hungry 4 ohm AR 58s speakers and the performance for the last 20 years has been flawless. The amp is a thing of beauty and the sound is as good as most modern day amps. The VU meters with light intensity switch is an added bonus. I would recommend this amp to anyone looking for a fantastic quality amp at a very reasonable price. They last forever.

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Carver C-1 preamp

Lots of power, very pretty

Colored sound

Uninspiring. I bought this with a Carver C-1 preamp expecting great things. I believe I played it through a pair of Koss CM-1030 speakers and a set of Harman Kardon Citation 13 speakers. In comparison to a Harman Kardon Citation 22 amplifier, it sounded colored and a bit soft. I guess Carver was going for a tube sound and ended up with an very nice, but unnatural sounding amplifier. I sold it very quickly on e-bay. I'm very happy with the C-1 preamp as long as the "sonic hologram" is turned off.

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HK Citation 22, HK Signature 2.1

Clean power

NONE!

Out performs any amp. 251 watts of pure clean RMS power. Own three M500-t's (pre 1989) and all work excellent, never a problem.

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NONE!

fast amp and warm tube sound! meters are accurate,good looks and durabilty!

None!

Carver''s M500T amps are in my opinion are the best amps you can buy under $1000!. I''m not saying that it wont perform as good as many costing thousands just that it is the best you can get for under a grand. I have 2 of them and the sound is amazing! I had my friend bring over his $2500 Sunfire 300 watt amp over and hooked it to my 2 speakers and there were no audible diffrences! albeit his one to my 2 but it sounded the same! I like the meters on the 500''s there very cool! If you have the chance to get 1 or even better 2, buy them they will impress the hell out of you! That same friend has resently sold his Krell and he says the bass is even better on that than either of the 500''s or the Sunfire, I see his point but I didn''t spend $3500 for my amps!If I ever sell my amps it will be for a krell or a Bryston 4b-st only, if I can get one at a great deal.To sum up these 500''s are a pleasure to listen too they can drive just about any speaker (1400 watts total power run in mono, 2 amps)and they make you keep playing your music material.

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Great Power

Slight Hum

Great sounding amp. I have 4 in my home theatre set up. One of the most attractive amps I''ve seen in a while. Although there are newer amps on the market, I wouldn''t trade them for the world. I am actually looking to buy two more.

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Carver TFM 55

Power

If I have to pick, I can't think of any.

I briefly reviewed this product earlier, stating I owned one many years ago. I was happy to find one for sale on E-bay. I have had this amp in my house now for 6 months, and I could not be happier.

I feel bad for the gentleman before me, he obviously picked up a bad model.

For those who know Bob Carver's work knows that he defies physics. Yes its true that most amps weigh more than a refrigerator, but that does not always mean it will automatically sound better. Bob Carver's design uses what best can be defines as a magnetically driven power coil that uses more power from the outlet of the wall as it needs.

A simple test to prove this is to crank up the amp as loud as your speakers can stand, and look at the lights in the room - watch them dim as power requirements increase! This is actually a fairly efficient design, using only the power it needs to amplify a signal. This also keeps the heat down.

You should never go blindly based on review, I agree with that. Not every piece of equipment that is used has been treated well, so listen first.

On an amp that works, there is no hum, no overt bass or treble, just good clean power. True there are no gold-plated connections, but this amp was made during the time the gold-plated connectors were in great debate. If you live in a dry, fog free environment and your house is smoke free, you will not need gold-plated connectors. THose are used to ensure conectivity as time goes on. Otherwise the connections will have to be cleaned and reconnected from time to time.

I am very happy with this amp. And for what the amp is worth now makes it a tremendious value.

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Lots