Flawless, incredibly detailed reproduction. Neverending reserves. Excellent very low bass reproduction. EXTREMELY neutral reproduction - this amp neither adds nor takes away, it simply amplifies what's there.

Fair amount of hum - I have been told this is due to a cracked PCB, but I never did replace it, so I can't say for sure.

First of all, my amp is a TFM-45 model, not the TFM-55 - but it's basically the same amp, looks nearly indistinguishable, same design, just slightly higher (500w/ch into 8 ohms, 750w/channel into 4 ohms) power rating.

This amp is PHENOMENAL. I didn't buy it for the tremendous power rating, I bought it because after - literally - months of hanging out in the local high-end audio shop in Orlando, FL auditioning every piece of equipment in the store for months while I saved my pennies as a young Navy sailor, this was the one that absolutely seduced me. Nothing else in the place short of Krell monoblocks had the kind of sexy, intricate detail that the big Carver displayed... so the big Carver TFM-45, along with a Carver C-11 preamp and CDA-490/t CD player, is what I got.

Eleven years later, I'm still thrilled - and my stereo still drops the jaws of audiophile friends routinely.

Similar Products Used:

Carver AV-705X, Carver TFM-35, Carver integrated amplifier

Summary:380Watts/channel/8ohm (handles 4 ohm speakers as well) 1kW (1000 watts) bridged. 30W usage at idle, runs Cool, weights about 15lbs. Power output dials with two ranges and line level Input control per channel. Very dynamic, articulated, fast and effortless. Neutral sounding, wants to be with the "right" crowd in a system in order to excel. Beautiful outgoing midrange. Sound Rating: 4 1/2 stars. Value Rating: 5 stars. Price $1265, last time I checked: ~$684.

Details:
Right out of the box since Nov/94 this two channel amp consistently continues to blow me away. The very first thing that stroke us (my wife and me) was its ability to articulate the sounds. Until then we had always heard a "mass" of sound for music, now every instrument was distinctly separate and distinguishable. Its stereo separation and headroom are very satisfying (know that it's two independent amp stages in there. One power supply though.) Especially its headroom, I've *never* come to clip this amp, neither my friends whose first reaction is to crank up the volume and see what happens, nothing happens! it's just louder and clear, Always Clear.

It's beautiful for vocals, solos and the midrange in general but it must be with the "right" company. Your music source components should be of mid to high quality level. This amp puts truth to the saying: -"Good IN Good Out, Garbage IN Garbage Out." It wants to be fed a warm full sound line signal and have good fully broken-in speaker cables to be able to enjoy what this power house is capable of. Use the best interconnect and speaker cables you can afford, openness should be the primary factor when selecting cables to enjoy this amp to its fullest.

I've come to regard it as a "gentle giant with finesse." It puts out 380Watts RMS per channel on 8ohm loads (can handle 4ohm speakers as well, doubling the power) and 1 kilowatt (1000 watts) bridged! It runs totally quiet, no hums, when I had a low hum it was because I had a flaky interconnect connection somewhere in the system.

I run it bridged once. I didn't like the way it sounded. It was like a dual "ghost" image of sound between the two channels coming out from one speaker. Where in regular mode (2 channel) the sound is coherent as one single source. If you need a real loud PA, I guess it would be OK.

It also runs "cool" ... well yeah it warms up like luke water but even then the water would still seem warmer. Hey compared to other amps I've seen this is really a "cool" running amp. Which hints about its efficiency. At idle (not playing) this amp pulls in only 30Watts! You could virtually afford to have it on all the time! compared to my Sony Receiver that warms up like an iron and takes 200W when it's on, this is a sweet pie. Another characteristic of its design it's its weight, it's very light (about 15lbs.) Reminds me of a high performance car, light and powerful.

Now besides it hardly weighting anything and warming up, this amp's sound is really very neutral but dynamic. Now what does this mean? It simply does not add or take anything from the provided music signal while it faithfully reproduces the music recording's dynamics!

The Power Meters come in extremely handy to setup and evaluate system changes.
The TFM-55 has a high quality line level input pot per channel (knob) which allows you connect music source components directly that help to reduce signal loss and allowed me to get away without a pre-amp. It's just a line level control, *This is NOT An Integrated Amp!* - - - Also I'm not a "purist", I'm a pragmatic. I go with what works.

Negatives:
About a year after I got it, it began to exhibit a cold solder on the right channel. When first turned on, the right channel won't play until about ten minutes of "warm up" (since it runs cool.) then it's all right. I could have sent it back under warranty (came with three years) but I never did as I couldn't imagine being without it. Also it turned out my speakers are very efficient. I could had gotten away with the TFM-35 (over 200W output) since when shaking the walls in the room on the meters I only see peaks of 20watts output per channel. Carver don't make it anymore. Well yes they do, now is called the TFM-55X which is "THX Certified." ... Except they've taken out the line level input controls from it. Which I regret *Very Much!!*

If you have any comments/questions regarding this amp I'll be more than happy to hear from you at: fenix1@aol.com

Lots of power, runs cool, good image, excellent midrange and treble, incredible weight and punch in the bass without booming,

none

A great power amp for the money, designed and built by Bob Carver before he moved on to sunfire. It has a warm midrange and very clean treble region. The soundstage is excellent with incredibly slam in the bass WITHOUT the bloated booming bass sound. It is small and light weight coming in at 23 pounds but runs cool while pumping out 380 WATTS into 8 ohms. Will drive any front speakers with ease but also can be used to power a passive subwoofer. It also has two big meters on front for some feedback on it's output. You can listen to it for hours and you never develop any listener fatigue, it's very neutral and and clean.

Reliability and over all performance as it handles everything you can throw at it,and not even get hot.

None

A lot has been said of Carver items both good and bad,and all I can say is I have only positive things to say.My amps have been nothing short of GREAT.One thing to keep in mind,WATCH OUT FOR THE GRAY MARKETED ONES!I had to send my 55x back under warranty and my second hand tfm-45 in which were both repaired FREE OF CHARGE.I also own so called higher end products,example,ARAGON and yes the Aragon does get the job done but so does the Carver TFM-55X AND 45 with ease.
Bob Carver builds great things and stands behind them. Yes,I had a problem with some items as mentioned,but were repaired and out of warranty on one item and not charged a dime.Enough said.

Similar Products Used:

TFM-25,TFM-45 AND THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE TFM-55X MODEL.