CARVIN - Opened my eyes.
Kevin Wayte
At first, I thought Carvin was just a cheap guitar company.
(Did anyone else think this?)
One time, I sent away for their catalog, and it arrived about one week
later in my mailbox (It was all free too!).
I opened the catalog and began to flip through it, slowly page-by-page.
To my suprise, everything was incredible!
Guitars were only a 'side' product compared to their pro audio. The mixers
and sound reinforcement equipment were very impressive. But what opened
my eyes the most was thier power amplifiers! ABSOLUTELY GREAT!
They have three cool MosFET power amps. The FET400, FET900, FET1200, each
named after their respective wattages. They are mainly produced for
concert sound reinforcement, but (as they pointed out as well) the specs
rival any audiophile stereo amplifier!! For those of you who would like
a 200 x 200, 450 x 450, or 600 x 600 watt power amp - go to Carvin!!
Don't go out and pay $2000 bucks for some 'audiophile' amplifier.
The prices on these Carvin rigs are LOW. I think $500 for the FET400,
for example. The FET1200 (we're talking 600 x 600 watts, folks) was something
like $800 !!! Of course, I scrutinized the specs looking for a catch, but
there was none. These amps actually surpassed most of the fancy power
amps in my audio mags. The distortion is low low low, The slew rate was
extremely fast (actually faster than some of the $4000 amps in my mags),
The frequency response was like 5 Hz - 40000 Hz, etc. The wicked specs
went on and on.
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that this Carvin gear is hot. Their
mixers are excellent too. Their 24 channel recording console was only
around $3000 ! I mean, all the prices were great. The best thing
would be for all of you readers to just check them out for yourself.
Send for a free catalog - they are very fast to respond. I'd give the
address, but I don't have it here. Look in a friend's guitar magazines.
In conclusion, I bought a FET400. All I can say is (since you can't
hear it) that the sound is CRYSTAL clear, sparkling, undistorted in
any way, shape or form. What goes in - comes out perfectly.
To my ear, anyway....
Check 'em out!
-Kevin
P.S. IMHO, their musical instruments are better than Fender, Peavey, Yamaha
as well. Perfect handmade guitars and basses. You'll see.
Patrick Renvoise
Hi,
I am one of those guy who can spend 2 hours listening to cables to find out which is best. I am wondering if you think that the Carvin could be used in a home stereo system or if it's just used to amplify guitar or other live instruments.
If you think that the Carvin are good for home use then I think you listened to music too loud for too long.
Those amps have no 3D stage, no liquidity, and the bass are anything but gracefull. However those amps are very noisy... limit the use to people with hearing difficulties.
Stereophiles... stay away.
PS: Almost the last parameter you want to check for a home amp is the power; the distortion has also almost no meaning. My system is made of CJ preamp + amp: power2x45 watts, distortion 0.25 %. It can play much louder than any 100 W solid state amps and the sound is 10 times better than amps displaying 0.001% of distortion.
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Patrick Renvoise
Silicon Graphics International Marketing (415)962-3525
/----------------------------------------------------------------------\
| "Il faut cultiver notre jardin." Voltaire (last phrase of Candide) |
| "One must cultivate our garden." (Waiting for a better translation) |
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Frank Joseph Filipanits
{A shameless plug for Carvin deleted}
Though in a less exuberent voice, I agree that Carvin amps are worth
listening to. Their FET series provide excellent clarity and overall
sound quality. I've never done an A/B test with the likes of a
McIntosh, but I do consider CarvIN to have much better products than
CarvER. The dynamic power-rail switching scheme Carver uses to produce
such a light amp IS noticeable and annoying. CarvIN amps are built solid,
no corners cut, and will put up with enormous abuse (physical AND electrical)
They do have a fan, but it turns at various speeds depending on the temp.
For moderate levels the fan is never on.
Their speakers are IMHO not that great, but passable for PA use.
The mixing consoles are good, though not quite as noisless as the specs
would lead you to believe.
The basses have a wide neck and noisy electronics. I would not buy a bass
or a bass head from them. That's just my personal opinion based
on what I like in an instrument.
If you are looking to put together a home or studio system, I would highly
recommend checking out a Carvin FET series amp. I believe you would be
better served spending the $500-$1000 you save on the amp on your speakers.
These opinions are based on using a Carvin PA setup for the past 4 years.
Your mileage may vary.
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Frank Filipanits Sr EE/CS/Music, California Institute of Technology
'68 Mustang 302 '81 Kawasaki 750 LTD Ibanez Roadstar Bass
fra...@tybalt.caltech.edu "I may or may not know what I'm talking about..."