Carver Audio CT-3 Preamplifiers
Carver Audio CT-3 Preamplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Apr 21, 2017]
Melchior-Christoph von Brincken
AudioPhile
I have a Antique Sound Lab 1003 tube amp, which is missing a phone stage.
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[Aug 02, 2000]
David
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent Pre-Amp. This pre-amp is wide open to say the least!
Weakness:
Strange way to recall frequency presets from memory. This was my first step up to a better level of audio. Electrically, it is just better to get that noisy, hot power amplifier away from the sensetive pre-amp circuits. Similar Products Used: Realistic, Optimus, Adcom, H&K, and other common receivers. |
[Dec 28, 2001]
john kramer
Audiophile
Strength:
wonderful tuner section
Weakness:
just about everything else.. Well, I picked up a TFM-25 amp and fell in love with it, true bargin, even as a brand new amp. But I was using an old highly modified Hegaman HAPI 2 pre-amp, so I picked up a CT-3 to make a nice matching set. Similar Products Used: never had a tuner/preamp before or since, other carver stuff, counterpoint, dynaco, hafler, home brew tube and solid state stuff.... |
[Feb 26, 2001]
Chuck
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Sound, flexibility, value.
Weakness:
Aesthetics WOW! Talk about value for the money. This looks like another run of the mill, cheap solid-state pre-tuner. Wait until you hook it up. Of course, no pre-amp can cover for a lousy power source, but this unit has striking clarity and spaciousness. I got spoiled many years ago. My first day of college, I walked in and my roomie had a pair of Magnepan's, an ARC pre-amp, an Ampzilla, Nakamichi tape deck, and Linn Sondek turntable. I did not bother to unpack my meager receiver, etc. He taught me about audio, and I have been picky ever since. I bought the CT-3 as a temporary until I could upgrade to a tube pre-amp. I will still probably fork out a thousand or two for the tube sound that I was weaned on, but I don't think I'll let such a nice piece of equipment as the Carver CT-3 get away. I hope Bob Carver can get the company going again because he deserves to have his mark on the audio world. A very nice unit indeed! Similar Products Used: ARC SP-3 |
[Sep 20, 1999]
James
an Audio Enthusiast
I have owned the CT3 for 4 years and it sounds great! Very warm and rich. The tuner gets good reception and the sonic holograph does make a difference! Way to go Bob! |
[Nov 26, 2000]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent sound -- a big step ahead of integrated amplifiers or receivers, including high-end brands.
Weakness:
none Only one word for it -- wow. It is not just the change I made from integrated receiver to separates. The Carver Sonic Holography fixes some of the cross-channel problems inherent in traditional stereo playback. I have always read about soundstage, but never experienced as I do now with the Carver CT-3. Bob Carver is a maverick in his industry and knows what he is doing -- the sonic holography technology continues with his newer products put out by Sunfire -- but if you are on a budget, you should strongly consider picking up one of the used Carver pieces readily avialiable on eBay. That's where I got mine and I have absolutely no regrets -- only thanks for the BIG step up in sound quality. Similar Products Used: NAD 712 receiver and NAD 214 power amp |