Carver Crimson 275 Review (Tube Amp)

[Doodski]

I figure this is more right than not.

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Thanks for sharing although I know the real heap of sweet gear is off camera somewhere. Your tri-amp'd system stuff. >@^_*@< All the amps and crossover stuff.

 

[Waxx]

I mean a tube amp that is done right, like using the tube in the voltage rate that it's best, using output transformers that are wideband enough to cover the needed frequency range (30Hz-25kHz flat within a db), regulate the psu and use dc heaters so you don't need a floating ground to avoid hum, ...

This is the inside of a Prima Luna Prologue 4, an older model that is out of production since longtime that i own and know very well. This is a good example, the bad example is like above measured. The board with the ic's are the power regulators for each tube if you would wonder what it is. The actual version of this amp is the Evo100 power amp from them if you wanted to know. And this amp was relative cheap (the actual model still is) but does give good bass because the output transformers are overspec'ed quality, not just fancy looking and branded stuff.

If Amir would live close to me (I'm living in south-western Belgium, Europe) I would not be afraid to let him measure it and see the results. I'm using this amp for 6 years daily in one of my setups without issues.

 

[Doodski]

If Amir would live close to me (I'm living in south-western Belgium, Europe)

Hmmmz... Brussels to Seattle and return. Is amazingly inexpensive and affordable. Much more than Vancouver to Toronto.

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

Thanks for sharing although I know the real heap of sweet gear is off camera somewhere. Your tri-amp'd system stuff. >@^_*@< All the amps and crossover stuff.

This is my 'casual listening vintage system'. The speakers are JBL 4412s, which are basically the studio version of the L-100s which are in vogue now. Keep stuff long enough and suddenly its hip again. Maybe If I stay around long enough, I'll be hip again too.

 

[Doodski]

This is my 'casual listening vintage system'. The speakers are JBL 4412s, which are basically the studio version of the L-100s which are in vogue now. Keep stuff long enough and suddenly its hip again. Maybe If I stay around long enough, I'll be hip again too.

I retailed the 4312A w/ the Ti tweeter for 5 years straight and it sold out every season. Loud and proud... If memory serves me correct it was ~ ~1600.00 a pair CND, honestly I am not sure...lol

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

I retailed the 4312A w/ the Ti tweeter for 5 years straight and it sold out every season. Loud and proud... If memory serves me correct it was ~ ~1600.00 a pair CND, honestly I am not sure...lol

Mine are these. I got a lot of JBL stuff when I worked there on employee discount.

 

[Doodski]

Mine are these. I got a lot of JBL stuff when I worked there on employee discount.

I loved that Ti screened tweeter with a mid bass driver from JBL. It was fun. Add in the 12 and bigger woofs and JBL gets to be tones of fun. So what is it like with these efficient JBL's and tube amps?

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

They'reved that Ti screened tweeter with a mid bass driver from JBL. It was fun. Add in the 12 and bigger woofs and JBL gets to be tones of fun. So what is it like with these efficient JBL's and tube amps?

They're okay but I wouldn't call them magical by any stretch of the imagination. I actually never liked the JBL sound. The stereo 70 does power them well but then I never listen to this system all that loud anyway. I used to have a pair of Wharfedale W60Ds with the system but they are now downstairs with a pioneer SX 550 receiver in the bedroom.

 

[mhardy6647]

They're okay but I wouldn't call them magical by any stretch of the imagination. I actually never liked the JBL sound. The stereo 70 does power them well but then I never listen to this system all that loud anyway. I used to have a pair of Wharfedale W60Ds with the system but they are now downstairs with a pioneer SX 550 receiver in the bedroom.

Nor FWIW, did/do I, with a few exceptions.

 

[xaxxon]

[email protected]

The email for inquiring on a refund is rejecting email:

Address not found​

Your message wasn't delivered to [email protected] because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail.

 

[Chazz6]

[email protected]

The email for inquiring on a refund is rejecting email:

Address not found​

Your message wasn't delivered to [email protected] because the address couldn't be found, or is unable to receive mail.

There is a webmail form, as well as a telephone number and a street address, at https://www.bobcarvercorp.com/contact-us . Haven't tested them.

 

[anmpr1]

This is my 'casual listening vintage system'. The speakers are JBL 4412s, which are basically the studio version of the L-100s which are in vogue now. Keep stuff long enough and suddenly its hip again. Maybe If I stay around long enough, I'll be hip again too.

The L100 was an iteration of the 4310/11 series. The 4412, with the titanium tweeter, was a similar but different animal. Years ago JBL discontinued the LE25 tweeter used in the 4310, 4311 and L100. The 035Ti tweeter from the 4312 (and L100T--a tall floor standing consumer loudspeaker) was JBLs recommended replacement for the LE25.

In fact, I used the 035Ti tweeters in my L100s, as the original tweeters were damaged in a move. They are not quite drop in, because the 035Ti baffle is round, whereas the LE25 is square, requiring some hacking in order for it to fit. In my estimation (FWIW) the 035Ti was a great tweeter, but brightened the L100 top end, which was not really what that loudspeaker needed.

Several years a go I replaced the 035 set with two LE25 knock-offs I bought from one of the large raw speaker supply houses, said to be made according to OEM specs. Who knows about that? However from my memory (which one can't really rely on) they sound the same in the box as the original JBL LE25. I still have the 035Ti, which I'll auction off on ebay once I'm dead.

Also, FWIW, the L100 works better with some EQ tweaking. In my room I begin a bass roll off at about 160Hz, and create a mid/high dip at 6.3 kHz (using a dbx 215 professional two band equalizer). Then cross over to a sub to reinforce the low bass, at 80Hz or so. It's kind of screw-ball, and done by ear, however those settings work pretty well in my room. The L100 are also on stands, 18 inches from the floor. That does away with the Maxell 'blown away' effect.

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

The L100 was an iteration of the 4310/11 series. The 4412, with the titanium tweeter, was a similar but different animal. Years ago JBL discontinued the LE25 tweeter used in the 4310, 4311 and L100. The 035Ti tweeter from the 4312 (and L100T--a tall floor standing consumer loudspeaker) was JBLs recommended replacement for the LE25.

In fact, I used the 035Ti tweeters in my L100s, as the original tweeters were damaged in a move. They are not quite drop in, because the 035Ti baffle is round, whereas the LE25 is square, requiring some hacking in order for it to fit. In my estimation (FWIW) the 035Ti was a great tweeter, but brightened the L100 top end, which was not really what that loudspeaker needed.

Several years a go I replaced the 035 set with two LE25 knock-offs I bought from one of the large raw speaker supply houses, said to be made according to OEM specs. Who knows about that? However from my memory (which one can't really rely on) they sound the same in the box as the original JBL LE25. I still have the 035Ti, which I'll auction off on ebay once I'm dead.

Also, FWIW, the L100 works better with some EQ tweaking. In my room I begin a bass roll off at about 160Hz, and create a mid/high dip at 6.3 kHz (using a dbx 215 professional two band equalizer). Then cross over to a sub to reinforce the low bass, at 80Hz or so. It's kind of screw-ball, and done by ear, however those settings work pretty well in my room. The L100 are also on stands, 18 inches from the floor. That does away with the Maxell 'blown away' effect.

While I used the 4412s for awhile when I was composing music for films, they've long since been relegated to 3rd or 4th tier casual listening. In all honesty, I wouldn't have bought any JBL speakers except for the fact that I was an engineer there at the time and could get them for very low cost on employee discount. I just really dislike the 'JBL sound'. The sound of Altec Lansing drivers in their raw state is not all that great either but they respond much better to various tweaks, and if done right, can be outstanding - probably better than anything out there that I've heard. Altec Lansing was also a FAR nicer company to work for. JBL was kind of like Disney (worked there too) in being a toxic workplace.

I still use 18" JBL subs in modified 8cu' theater cabinets and they work fine and need little EQ in my room (6000 cu feet).

 

[anmpr1]

I was an engineer there at the time and could get them for very low cost on employee discount... I just really dislike the 'JBL sound'.

I agree about the employee discount. I have two copies of MS Office Pro (2013 and 2016) I bought for about ten dollars each through the company's employee discount. I think on a good day a 'boxed' copy of MS office (with a perpetual lifetime license) is arguably worth five or ten dollars. The idea of paying ten dollars a month for a subscription is outrageous, but I guess a lot of people don't care. Whoever thought that up was a marketing genius for sure. At least with my L100s, I don't have to pay a monthly fee to JBL to use them!

As far as the JBL sound? It was like the two Steves. When I was getting into hi-fi, you could have the JBL (West Coast) sound, or the AR (Boston or East Coast) sound. To make a software company comparison, the former was like a Steve Ballmer lunatic 'monkey dance' presentation. The latter was like a 'low key' (at least in public) Steve Jobs presentation. Although I detested Ballmer, and had some respect Jobs, I had to go JBL. Sounded less like a box. I don't mind admitting it.

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

I agree about the employee discount. I have two copies of MS Office Pro (2013 and 2016) I bought for about ten dollars each through the company's employee discount. I think on a good day a 'boxed' copy of MS office (with a perpetual lifetime license) is arguably worth five or ten dollars. The idea of paying ten dollars a month for a subscription is outrageous, but I guess a lot of people don't care. Whoever thought that up was a marketing genius for sure. At least with my L100s, I don't have to pay a monthly fee to JBL to use them!

As far as the JBL sound? It was like the two Steves. When I was getting into hi-fi, you could have the JBL (West Coast) sound, or the AR (Boston or East Coast) sound. To make a software company comparison, the former was like a Steve Ballmer lunatic 'monkey dance' presentation. The latter was like a 'low key' (at least in public) Steve Jobs presentation. Although I detested Ballmer, and had some respect Jobs, I had to go JBL. Sounded less like a box. I don't mind admitting it.

I had one particularly awkward moment when JBL came out with their large flagship home speaker at the time - I think it was Everest or something like that. They brought us all into the sound room for the Big Demonstration. I was aghast at how hard and brittle and forward the sound was; the JBL sound on steroids, but everybody with the exception of myself was thrilled to drink the Kool Aid. I think I was the only person who thought they sounded like shit but I just nodded my head and left the room.

Its kind of strange that the Klipsch sound is similar in its hardness and brittleness and forwardness, but somehow they have a different take on these traits. Its kind of like the harshness and brittleness is lower in frequency and at the same time higher in frequency - very hard to put my finger on. I would say that neither JBL or Klipsch sound 'musical' in the sense of sounding like the actual musical instruments they are supposed to be representing (given a good recording of course).

Not to trash on those who like the sound of these brands because there are obviously lots of them. My own goal is to have the impact, dynamics and immediacy which horns provide with the finesse and truthfulness to the sound of actual instruments of the better cone / panel speakers. Its extremely difficult to achieve and I'm constantly coming up with small tweaks to get closer to that goal.

 

[egellings]

Those bright speakers may sound okay for someone with a rolled off high end in their hearing.

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

Those bright speakers may sound okay for someone with a rolled off high end in their hearing.

Or their hearing might be rolled-off because they've listened to overly bright speakers all their life.

 

[mhardy6647]

I had one particularly awkward moment when JBL came out with their large flagship home speaker at the time - I think it was Everest or something like that. They brought us all into the sound room for the Big Demonstration. I was aghast at how hard and brittle and forward the sound was; the JBL sound on steroids, but everybody with the exception of myself was thrilled to drink the Kool Aid. I think I was the only person who thought they sounded like shit but I just nodded my head and left the room.

Its kind of strange that the Klipsch sound is similar in its hardness and brittleness and forwardness, but somehow they have a different take on these traits. Its kind of like the harshness and brittleness is lower in frequency and at the same time higher in frequency - very hard to put my finger on. I would say that neither JBL or Klipsch sound 'musical' in the sense of sounding like the actual musical instruments they are supposed to be representing (given a good recording of course).

Not to trash on those who like the sound of these brands because there are obviously lots of them. My own goal is to have the impact, dynamics and immediacy which horns provide with the finesse and truthfulness to the sound of actual instruments of the better cone / panel speakers. Its extremely difficult to achieve and I'm constantly coming up with small tweaks to get closer to that goal.

I am gonna copy the URL to this post and use it whenever the topic of the classic Klipsch and/or JBL sound comes up.
Well expressed, and (as they say) dead-nuts on.

Thus do we tend towards Altec at my house.

 

[egellings]

Yep, the louder you play it, the louder you need it.

 

[xaxxon]

Just wanted to follow up - I ended up calling the number on the website and Jim Clark answered. He wasn't super excited to take back the amp (reasonably) but gave me an address and such to send it back. Looks like they're going through a corporate rework and some things will be changing over there and I wish them the best of luck.