Carver PT-2400 Dual Mono Vintage Amplifier Review

[Geert]

I voted poor. For big power yet still low noise and distortion I would get an NC2k based amp.

'Big power' for a few seconds then, while a pro amp sustains max. power for hours. Different types of amps for different use cases.

 

[Matias]

No one listens to continuous full power sine waves for hours... If I were to do this pointless test with an NC2K I would get an external fan and point it to the amps too, problem solved.

 

[capslock]

Plenty of power... that's all she wrote. Thanks for testing this retro amp Amir.

Pics;

View attachment 543390








JSmith

What are those output transistors, please? The resolution of the pic is not enough to tell

 

[capslock]

Watched too much soccer or coverage of those shady dealings?

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I suppose if all you play is grunge rock at 125 db, then a bridged pair of these into your Klipsch's is just the ticket.

Nice review, Amir. Thank you.

 

[Geert]

No one listens to continuous full power sine waves for hours.

Every weekend hundreds thousands of people listen to music at full power level, in clubs and stadiums, at concerts and so on. That's the use case of a pro amp.

 

[Matias]

Every weekend hundreds thousands of people listen to music at full power level, in clubs and stadiums, at concerts and so on. That's the use case of a pro amp.

FAQ #2.

Class D FAQ

This topic is dedicated to Frequently Asked Questions about class D amplifiers. If you have been directed here the reason is that it is easier to concentrate the frequent answers here instead of repeating them in several topics. Q1: Class D power ratings cannot be true. How can these small and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[JayGilb]

What are those output transistors, please? The resolution of the pic is not enough to tell

PT 2400 Repair Manual - PDF

 

[capslock]

PT 2400 Repair Manual - PDF

Thanks. 2SA1302/C3281, very decent Toshiba workhorse transistors. All preamp stages and even the input stage of the power amp are comprised of TL07x. That could be part of the problem

 

[jareinertson]

I hadn’t thought about Carver amps in years and this review made me take a trip down memory lane.

A buddy in college (who always seemed to have too much money for a college kid) had a pair of Carver M-400s. He would occasionally DJ keg parties so that was his excuse to buy them.

I think he had some big Cerwin Vegas on the other end.

These little Carver cubes always stood out in the crowd.

While I was quite proud of my Harmon Kardon Citation pumping out sixty whole watts, these Carvers were rated at 200 into 8R (x 2) or 500 W into 8R mono. Those numbers were something from another world in the late 70’s/ early 80’s.

My how things have changed!

View attachment 543432

These were interesting amp for sure. I sold these back when they were new. We preferred the Yamaha B2, APT or NAD amps though.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

I hadn’t thought about Carver amps in years and this review made me take a trip down memory lane.

A buddy in college (who always seemed to have too much money for a college kid) had a pair of Carver M-400s. He would occasionally DJ keg parties so that was his excuse to buy them.

I think he had some big Cerwin Vegas on the other end.

These little Carver cubes always stood out in the crowd.

While I was quite proud of my Harmon Kardon Citation pumping out sixty whole watts, these Carvers were rated at 200 into 8R (x 2) or 500 W into 8R mono. Those numbers were something from another world in the late 70’s/ early 80’s.

My how things have changed!

View attachment 543432

This repair video series provides some insight into the Carver "Magnetic Field" design approach:

 

[Imakeller]

I remember the days when Carver amps were something to lust after. It appears my desires were quite misplaced.

Today’s modern, Class D are powerful, clean and economical. These new marvels. based on Hypex or Purifi boards make me blush.

Once again, Amir proves that we are living in a new reality for hi-fi. Enjoy it.

Memories … One of the objects of my desire as a high schooler getting interested in hi-fi was the Carver M1.5t amplifier. I admired it regularly on my visits to the local, brick-and-mortar Stereo Shop (yes, that was the actual name of the store). Sadly, it was out of my price range then, so I got a Technics receiver. I wonder how the little M1.5t would do in Amir’s testing?

 

[PristineSound]

I don't think I have counted many, if any at all, of these legacy boutique brands that have any real clean performance to offer.

 

[Cogito]

Memories … One of the objects of my desire as a high schooler getting interested in hi-fi was the Carver M1.5t amplifier. I admired it regularly on my visits to the local, brick-and-mortar Stereo Shop (yes, that was the actual name of the store). Sadly, it was out of my price range then, so I got a Technics receiver. I wonder how the little M1.5t would do in Amir’s testing?

I lusted for the M1.5t back in the day. It was powerful, sleek and I loved the LED meters. However, I ended up with an ADCOM GFA-555 instead.

 

[Ted G]

I hadn’t thought about Carver amps in years and this review made me take a trip down memory lane.

A buddy in college (who always seemed to have too much money for a college kid) had a pair of Carver M-400s. He would occasionally DJ keg parties so that was his excuse to buy them.

I think he had some big Cerwin Vegas on the other end.

These little Carver cubes always stood out in the crowd.

While I was quite proud of my Harmon Kardon Citation pumping out sixty whole watts, these Carvers were rated at 200 into 8R (x 2) or 500 W into 8R mono. Those numbers were something from another world in the late 70’s/ early 80’s.

My how things have changed!

View attachment 543432

I remember reading about these in the 80’s. Carver came out with interesting technology. Their equipment seems to be popular on eBay. I wonder if parts are available though.

 

[JPA]

I hadn’t thought about Carver amps in years and this review made me take a trip down memory lane.

A buddy in college (who always seemed to have too much money for a college kid) had a pair of Carver M-400s. He would occasionally DJ keg parties so that was his excuse to buy them.

I think he had some big Cerwin Vegas on the other end.

These little Carver cubes always stood out in the crowd.

While I was quite proud of my Harmon Kardon Citation pumping out sixty whole watts, these Carvers were rated at 200 into 8R (x 2) or 500 W into 8R mono. Those numbers were something from another world in the late 70’s/ early 80’s.

My how things have changed!

View attachment 543432

I still have my M-400, but not using it these days.

 

[ErVikingo]

Its a PA amp. My brother still uses my dad's old Carver "magnetic" amps.

 

[amirm]

Its a PA amp. My brother still uses my dad's old Carver "magnetic" amps.

But there was also a consumer version. Unless that design was different, everything applies to it as well.

 

[ErVikingo]

But there was also a consumer version. Unless that design was different, everything applies to it as well.

Yup makes sense. A time machine would be cool to see how it would have measured when new.

 

[ErVikingo]

A quick AI search (assuming its correct) says they are different designs.