• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Carver RAM285

searay_89

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2022
Messages
9
Likes
12
That might be the case. Of course, it's not really an excuse. Some of the best measuring electronics is from China.
It's definitely the case. Was posted over on thecarversite.

Designed in USA
Parts sourced from reputable/traceable sources (Digikey, Mouser) ... not sure where the tubes come from.
Built in China
Tested in USA
 

fpitas

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
9,885
Likes
14,215
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
It's definitely the case. Was posted over on thecarversite.

Designed in USA
Parts sourced from reputable/traceable sources (Digikey, Mouser) ... not sure where the tubes come from.
Built in China
Tested in USA
I'm surprised they bother to design it here, honestly.
 

fpitas

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
9,885
Likes
14,215
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Bob doesn't want to live in China?
Hard to believe anyone competent designs these, let alone Bob. You'll get results as good by copying from the RCA Receiving Tube Manual. Maybe better.
 

searay_89

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2022
Messages
9
Likes
12
I'm going to reserve judgement on this one. If it's ever tested here, I'd guess that it's going to test much better than the previous models. Probably will meet its specifications. It seems that this amp was designed in direct response to the negative test results that the 275 received here. It appears that they want to dig themselves out of that hole. That said - not sure why they would go ahead and keep the "275" -> "285" naming scheme? The 2x75W amp weighs 19lbs, the 2x85W amp weighs 55lbs. Clearly a shift in design philosophy between the two.
 

fpitas

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
9,885
Likes
14,215
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
The 2x75W amp weighs 19lbs, the 2x85W amp weighs 55lbs. Clearly a shift in design philosophy between the two.
I.e., they got caught scamming on the iron.
 

Lavawood

Active Member
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
127
Likes
154
I’m interested in reading impressions. Steve Gutenberg just reviewed it.
I’m surprised by the price. For the same price, you can get American made integrateds; Rogue chronus magnum and Cary SLI80HS.
 

Chrispy

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
7,957
Likes
6,103
Location
PNW
Was looking at the about section on the bobcarvercorp.com website....seems Bob had retired for a while and builds were someone else's....then Bob unretired in Feb 2022 and took back some key roles. This fit in with the 275/285 differences?
 
D

Deleted member 21219

Guest
I’m interested in reading impressions. Steve Gutenberg just reviewed it.
I’m surprised by the price. For the same price, you can get American made integrateds; Rogue chronus magnum and Cary SLI80HS.

True. Alternately, you can get a solid-state amp with gobs more power (and a slew of conveniences if an integrated) from some company that has greater integrity and displays greater engineering acumen. The choice is yours ... some people choose the one, some people choose the other. :)

Jim
 

guyboisvert

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2023
Messages
17
Likes
11
The picture posted shows a very nicely finished amplifier on the outside. If the inside build quality matches and the performance is good, it may be a successful product.

The price is certainly not obscene.
I'd say, obscene for the fidelity it has... But yeah, some people like colored sound...
 

Chrispy

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
7,957
Likes
6,103
Location
PNW
I'd say, obscene for the fidelity it has... But yeah, some people like colored sound...
Let alone the glow of the tubes plus any vu meters present, that seems to elevate this sort of gear far above their actual competence.
 

mhardy6647

Grand Contributor
Joined
Dec 12, 2019
Messages
11,436
Likes
24,823
Breaking news from... well, whoever has been making and selling amplifiers under Bob Carver's name for a while.

1714342820426.png
 

restorer-john

Grand Contributor
Joined
Mar 1, 2018
Messages
12,760
Likes
39,093
Location
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Breaking news from... well, whoever has been making and selling amplifiers under Bob Carver's name for a while.

The cynic in me thinks it's just a ploy to sell amplifiers that haven't been moving quick enough.
 

Ranster

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2024
Messages
23
Likes
2
Nope, no beneficial financial interests in it… except maybe seeing prices come down… :).
I own a bunch of Carver equipment.. for sure.. (and will probably have more sometime in the future before I die)
Silver Seven 900 mono blocks
BlackMagic 25 (x2)
Pair of Silver 7t
many tfm, m1.x, A760x, 490t, 360 cd, Carver Receiver (1985 and still going strong) and more…. Magnepan and Tekton speakers. Not the most expensive stuff out there, but damn, it all SOUNDS good, especially for the outlay.
Exactly!!. My question is this. So, was the fatally tested crimson 275 amp sent to the tester from the manufacturer or sent in by a user who.......may have modified or tampered with it? I also wonder if there were some of these made before certain quality and safety measures were implemented? So, also were there corrections done by the manufacturer to rectify the concerns with the amp? I wonder who of all the naysayers if under a blind test would know the difference between a $500 dollar amp or a $10,000 amp if it was tube or ss. I'm just saying here!! Also, i believe all the electrical concerns were corrected and an offer was made for anyone who had an affected amp to send it in for repair free of charge. Besides if i want solid state sound i buy solid state equipment and if i like tube sound then .................. Also who that complains so loudly likes the cd quality of a great LP. ooohhhh that's right the album sounds best, or does it measure with noise from the pressing? I'm just saying we should all think clearly about what we want and what we attempt to destroy. My other opinion is this, who.... that wanted carver amps gone were financially invested in other entities or who took loads of money to say things or not to reach out to Carver for clarification or an amp sent from the manufacturer. follow the money. One can never be too careful in the world we live in today. remember what gas prices were in 2019. many voted in what looked good on paper and talked a good talk. What did we really get?? I'm saying if we drive Carver out then we get to order from china!!
 

Chrispy

Master Contributor
Forum Donor
Joined
Feb 7, 2020
Messages
7,957
Likes
6,103
Location
PNW
Saw the "breaking" news earlier....not a lot new in a few ways. Even though I own several old Carver items (and more than that in the past) it isn't all that interesting....hard to know how much Bob's somewhat long term failure is his business acumen one way or the other.....
 
Top Bottom