Many inputs, Auto Correlator Noise Reduction, many signal processing options

Mediocre sound, noisy phono stage, pots get noisy over time

I got my Carver C-4000 back in 1980, it must have been one of the very first since the owners manual consisted of typewritten pages with drawings by Bob Carver himself! In 1991 I sent the unit to the factory where they replaced the RCA plugs with gold platted ones, they also replaced all switches, pots, caps and IC chips. A couple of years later I replaced the power cord with an IEC detacheable type cord and disabled the electric plugs in the back, which produced a small improvement in sound. I finally retired the unit in April 1997 and replaced it with a Dynaco PAS-4 vacuum tube pre-amplifier. I still have it stashed in it's box!
From a sonic point of view it is hard for me to recommend this pre-amp. The Dynaco PAS-4 I replaced it with sounds far better in every way! The Dynaco sounds far more like music with much smoother highs and wider soundstage, not to mention a tighter, more realistic bass. The phono stage is relatively noisy, compared to outboard phono pre-amps from Creek, Musical Fidelity and my Acurus P10. The Auto Correlator noise reduction system is effective in taming some of it's phono stage noise, and it works very well on tape hiss with little in the way of side effects.
Compared to most receiver based systems, the C-4000 holds it's own, but if you have separates, there are many better sounding pre-amps out there to consider.
The C-4000 was great in it's day, but it's day has passed. If you have a lot of old noisy recordings, or are one of those clueless, tin-ear types still listening to those hideous 8-tracks, the combination of the Auto Correlator and the Peak Unlimiter dynamic range expander should help. I also figure it would work well on video sound. Otherwise, if good sound matters to you, don't waste your money or time on this thing!

A friend of mine once recommended to me that I should sell all my old classic audio gear and buy some smashing new stuff. I looked at him rather askance and informed him that my old ears love old gear. Some stereo equipment qualifies as being classic gear. One such piece is the Carver Model C4000 peramplifier, the first preamplifier to offer such lovely features as Bob Carver's Sonic Hologram Generator, his Autocorrelator Noise Reduction System, Peak Unlimiter Dynamic Range Expander, and a concert hall type surround system with built-in amplifier to power two rear speakers, a center front speaker with time delay. As well, there are separate bass and treble controls for each channel, and a button which bypasses these tone controls.
This is a pretty complicated preamplifier with oodles of fun things to push, turn, and experiment with. I usually turn off all the devices and listen to my music with as little colouration as possible. But there are days when I want to goof around with all the features and will fiddle and faddle with the controls to muck around with my music. It all enhances my listening pleasure as stereo reproduction is artificial and open to myriad interpretations and interprolations (what is an interprolation? I dunno, but it sounds pretty fancy doesn't it?).

The C4000 has provision for two tape machines (my reel-to-reel and cassette deck), two auxillary sources (like my CD player and my cherished 8-track deck), a tuner, and two turntables (one with MM cartridge and one with MC cartridge). There are six handy outlets in the back (3 switched and 3 unswitched) and jacks for a signal processor of some sort (i.e., an EQ). Unlike newer preamps, the C4000 has provision for controlling a lot of stereo components, most importantly, turntables with MC and MM cartidges. There is no remote control, the advantage being all the exercise one gets dashing to and fro from the chesterfield to adjust the volume or push a button or turn a knob or two. The signal to noise ratio may not be up in the hundreds, but specs do not always translate into better sound.

The Sonic Holigram Generator is a lot of fun. Stereo is an illusion. The Sonic Holigram Generator adds much ambiance--space and depth--to enhance that illusion. It widens the soundstage--albeit sacrificing some detail--and breaths new life into one's recordings. I don't use it all the time, but on some sound sources, it brings out more in the performance of the music. Carver used to sell the Sonic Holigram Generator as a separate black box sound processor for about 350 bucks, I don't know if Carver still makes them. I like what Sonic Holigraphy can do and I would be loath to give it up (should my C4000 pack it in or should I move on to try something different).

The manual that comes with the C4000 is fantastic, detailed, and useful for the stereo enthusiast. Soundwise, the C4000 works well to deliver excellent, detailed, accurate renderings of the musical source materials. This is a preamp which loves vinyl and the MC and the MM phono preamplifiers are terrific--rich, detailed, clean, and above all musical. The overall presentation of sound with tone controls off and sonic holigraphy off is crisp, clear, and clean. With the sonic holigram generator on, the soundfield opens up and one is wowed by an enhanced stereo presentation. I find this to be a very versitile preamp loaded with inputs and features usually not found on other preamps. Paired with a good amplifier (i.e., Carver, Adcom, Dynaco, whatever), the Carver C4000 is hard to beat. I give the Carver C4000 High Fidelity Control Console a strong recommendation.

I didn't know anyone else was still using a Carver C4000. I keep trying to come up with a good reason to upgrade but I just can't justify the replacment. The C4000 is feeding a bridged pair of Adcom 555s which power a pair Digital Phase AP4 speakers. I usually run it with the bells and whistles off. The sound is clean and solid. I have, connected through the external processor loop a DBX 3bx-ds, Audio Control-Phase Coupled Activator and a BBE 2002, used for pro logic sound. The preamp has served me well for a long time. I will continue to use it even when I need to purchase another preamp for AC-3.

This great old preamp has served me well for many years. It was even taken out on the road in my van and used in a portable system for several years. The manufacture date on the inside is 1979!
This preamp was truly way ahead of its time and since there have been no really significant advancements in preamp technology, why replace it?

Reliable, musical.

Sonic Hologram

Bob Carver's philosophy seems to be "form follows function." This is clearly the idea behind the design of the C-4000. At first glance, it seems to have a surfeit of knobs and switches, but upon closer examination, one discovers that most of these are of the "set and forget" type. Tone and volume controls are designed with a light hand to cause only minimal changes to the enhancement of the program.

The Auto-correlator noise reduction circuit is the best I have heard. There is no breathing or any other sonic intrusiveness between the listener and the music. All but the loudest pops and scratches are eliminated, and tape hiss is reduced to nearly inaudible.

The Peak Unlimiter restores a natural dynamic range to orchestral pieces, especially such things as Wagnerian overtures. The only problem is that one must be very careful when setting volume levels, lest it be necessary to sprint across the room to avoid terrifying the neighbors!

It has plenty of outlets in the back for just about any device for which one would need power, signal input or output. Since I also have a C-7 Tuner/Pre-amp, I will never need another signal jack! The front of the unit is without meters, lights or other electronic gizmos, and except for the pilot light and the occasional flashing of the Peak Unlimiter LED, there is no sign that it is even on.

The only thing that distresses me about the pre-amp is the Sonic Hologram. It's not that it doesn't work well, for it does; it's just that it invites eternal twiddling to make things sound "live." The elusively sought ambience and sound stage synthesis can be achieved with such devices, but because of different miking and other characteristics of recorded music, their control may detract from the enjoyment of a musical program. In character, it reminds me of the placement of dipole speakers, which I have formerly used. One can wear out a rug in changing positions with these things, and never be satisfied just to enjoy the music. The Sonic Hologram adds this kind of distraction.

Musically, the unit again reflects Bob Carver's philosophy. After all, it is called High Fidelity, accurate reproduction of a musical program. In this, as well as in other Carver products, the result cannot be surpassed at such budget prices.

Similar Products Used:

Carver C-1