Carver Audio CT-7 Preamplifiers
Carver Audio CT-7 Preamplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Oct 31, 2004]
wboozer
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Simple and accurate
Weakness:
Absolutely none! I simply cannot heap enough praise onto Bob Carver’s stuff. I have had the CT-Seven for about four years, and I love it! I am currently only using the tuner section, for I also have a C-4000 Carver pre-amp, and as long as it continues to work it will be my main pre-amp. The CT-Seven also gives me redundancy, so if the C-4000 bites the dust I am still in business. I find that I am listening to FM broadcasts more than I ever have before. This is because of the smoothness of the unit, for I never experience listener fatigue. In San Francisco, the air is full of just about every kind of rf interference possible, but I can usually get a very good signal. I am also surrounded by very tall buildings with multipath generating steel framework, but still the signal is very clear. As in most cities, the local classical station does not have the tremendous output of the rock stations, but I am still always able to tune in precisely using a simple dipole antenna. The Sonic Holography of the CT-Seven probably works as well as on the C-4000. It also has a midrange tone control which is handy for enhancing FM broadcasts. Controls are simple, but since it does not include the Peak Unlimiter or Auto Correlator, its versatility does not match the C-4000. Mine is a tri-amped system, using the Carver DPL-20 as an electronic crossover. Similar Products Used: Pioneer RT-909 R to R Tape Deck Pioneer CT-F1000 Cassette Deck Phase Linear 8000 II Turntable Carver C-4000 Preamp 2 Carver M1.0t Power Amps Carver AV-64 Power Amp Carver SDA-360 CD Changer 2 Pair Stax SRX Electrostatic Headphones 2 Vandersteen B Main Speakers BSR 15" Subwoofer Pioneer Center Channel 2 Polk Monitor 7 Rear Speakers |
[Mar 24, 2002]
rudedog73
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Tight bass, mid range control and loudness button are always nice! its a great pre-amp w/lots of ac outlets,holography is very kool!
Weakness:
The remote control is the right size but they placed the function buttons in the wrong place for me! Thats it! I have had many pre-amps and costly ones at that! Adcom,Hafler,Bogen,Phase Linear to name a few!I have to admit this is an awesome sounding pre, the phono section is fabulous! the sound staging is clear and precise controls are easy to use,talk about good looks too, Man!! Similar Products Used: (2) M500t amps "WOW,WOW" Keep your Krell and other "HIGH" dollar amps!!ESS monitors (flagships) 2 Yamaha PF 800 turntables w/v15 III mm and Signet mc cartridges Knu Koncept twisted 8 guage wires MAD ( |
[Mar 19, 2000]
Clinton Blaha
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Ease in use, value and above all true excellent craftsmanship. I have had this unit for 8 years with NO problems.
Weakness:
Wish it had a lighted volume dial like the CT-17. I have a DPL-33 S.S Carver processor hooked up to the tape loop, but the unit is not extremely HT compatible. Let me stress that overall the unit ,which was purchased in 1989 , was the best Carver had to offer. The CT-17 didn't come out til later that year and I wished I would have waited. I do honestly think that the CT-17 Carver Dolby Pre-Amp was the best that Carver made. Similar Products Used: Carver C-1 Pre-Amp ,Carver CT-26 Receiver(didn't like) |
[Dec 15, 2000]
steve
Audiophile
Strength:
Fantastic phono section, sonic holography, clean precise and extremely quiet, classic early Carver design
Weakness:
Slightly bright with digital sources I recently upgraded from the Carver Receiver to a Carver TFM-35X power amp and the CT-7 preamp. What a difference! The CT-7 is a very clean, precise pre-amp with a wonderful phono section. I had almost abandoned listening to my LP collection with the old receiver because they sounded so lifeless and noisy compared to CD's. Since picking up the CT-7 I've literally gone back through my favorite LP's and heard things I'd never heard before. Similar Products Used: The Carver Receiver |
[Nov 08, 2001]
Brendan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Cool Sonice Holography. Funky Looks(Retro Silver Face Plate) Great Detail.
Weakness:
Some people may consider is a bit bright. Funky Looks(Retro Silver Face Plate does not match my other components.....still looks cool though) This is an older product that still sounds great....IMHO. Setting up my speakers correctly to take advantage of the Sonic Holography did take a little bit of time but it was well worth it. My only complaint was that it is possible to set up your speakers to make the sound stage to big......making some tracks sound "unrealistic". On one Jazz track it sounded like the Sax's were positioned in a balcony slightly behind me while the other instruments were positioned normally on stage. It sounded cool the first couple of times but became annoying after awhile. After repositioning my speakers this problem went away and the sound stage is now consistantly wide and realistic. Similar Products Used: Yamaha. Nad 370 integrated. |
[Aug 30, 1998]
amri
an Audiophile
Carver's Sonic holography works best with my Definitive Technology BP8 bipolars loudspeakers. Soundstage is great and I'm able to pinpoint musicians' locations, as they are performing a live concert.Carver's ACCD circuit for the tuner really spiced up FM radio broadcasts, making them to have more depth and ambience. |