Hello folks,
Carver CT-23 pre-amplifier/tuner
TFM-15CB power amplifier
I fear one of my two TFM-15CB amplifiers has "died....." Now, when I turn on the tuner/pre-amp and amp units, I get no sound out of my speakers. If I hook up my second amp everything works fine.
For about a month leading up to the failure, I noticed that there was some delay between the time I turned on the rig and the time sound emanated from the speakers. This period increased from about a minute to about 2 hours before total failure.
There is no "pilot error" of which I'm aware. That is, the speaker select button is properly set, the input level knobs are set to maximum, and the unit has power (the power meters light up).
What do you think? Is my amp just dead?
I'm wondering how/why it died. I don't know if others in my house have turned the unit on/off too frequently (I set this up for my mom to listen to, and she is wont to turn the unit off when not actively listening).
Many thanks in advance....
Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
- kingman
- (pair of) SILVER-7 TUBE AMPs
- Posts: 6359
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:10 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
...YES!!!!!What do you think? Is my amp just dead?
...Because it's OLD!!!!! You need a repair service to go through it.I'm wondering how/why it died.
In reality, it only matters what it sounds like to YOU!!!
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
most likely the caps are going bad, there is one in the protection circuit, when it goes bad the output relay does not kick in.
this is most likely why it started taking more and more time to latch up.
if you can solder these amps are very simple to recap, maybe 15 bucks in parts
this is most likely why it started taking more and more time to latch up.
if you can solder these amps are very simple to recap, maybe 15 bucks in parts
Mbskeam
SILVER 7's
Amazing Line Source
2 SVS PB16 SUBS
#1 BLACK BEAUTY's made by the man, the myth, the legend Bob Carver
CARVER: TFM-75, TFM-45(3), SD/A-490T
SUNFIRE: Tube pre
WTL Amadeus GTA+DV DRT XV-1t
2 sets of ALS'3, set of SILVERS, set of PLATS
AUDIOCONTROL: phase coupled activator
KENWOOD: BASIC M2a (2)
“Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.”
― Aristophanes
The only thing I'll feel......will be the RECOIL
Necronomicon Ex-Mortis....... Klaatu Barada Nikkto
"We should seek the greatest value of our action"
SILVER 7's
Amazing Line Source
2 SVS PB16 SUBS
#1 BLACK BEAUTY's made by the man, the myth, the legend Bob Carver
CARVER: TFM-75, TFM-45(3), SD/A-490T
SUNFIRE: Tube pre
WTL Amadeus GTA+DV DRT XV-1t
2 sets of ALS'3, set of SILVERS, set of PLATS
AUDIOCONTROL: phase coupled activator
KENWOOD: BASIC M2a (2)
“Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated, and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever.”
― Aristophanes
The only thing I'll feel......will be the RECOIL
Necronomicon Ex-Mortis....... Klaatu Barada Nikkto
"We should seek the greatest value of our action"
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
I'm not sure where you are located, but here's one in Cincinnati.
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ele/3361589468.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ele/3361589468.html
Chris
Living Room/main System:
Onkyo tx nr 545
Sunfire 300x2
Carver Amazing Silvers
Carver SD 390t
Technics SL 1950 Turntable
Polk Audio outdoor speakers wired to deck
Polk audio wired to pool table room
Basement/system 2:
Carver MXR-130
Teac reel to reel
Musical Fidelity X-10D tube buffer
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
Nikko eq2
Cerwin Vega HED's
Klipsch SW15
Infinity RS10's
Pioneer 100 disk changer
Garage system:
Pioneer VSX something?
Polk Audio 2500
Living Room/main System:
Onkyo tx nr 545
Sunfire 300x2
Carver Amazing Silvers
Carver SD 390t
Technics SL 1950 Turntable
Polk Audio outdoor speakers wired to deck
Polk audio wired to pool table room
Basement/system 2:
Carver MXR-130
Teac reel to reel
Musical Fidelity X-10D tube buffer
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
Nikko eq2
Cerwin Vega HED's
Klipsch SW15
Infinity RS10's
Pioneer 100 disk changer
Garage system:
Pioneer VSX something?
Polk Audio 2500
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
mbskeam wrote:most likely the caps are going bad, there is one in the protection circuit, when it goes bad the output relay does not kick in.
this is most likely why it started taking more and more time to latch up.
if you can solder these amps are very simple to recap, maybe 15 bucks in parts
Yes indeed I can solder!! But perhaps I should get a diagnostic service to determine that the caps are in fact the problem....
Given the age of this equipment, is it worth repairing? I mean, are there still audio places that would know how to diagnose this equipment? I'm in Southern California....
Thanks....
-
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
- Posts: 2654
- Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:56 pm
- Location: manning, sc
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
there is not that many, replace them all. all electrolytics in the power supply, audio path ,etc. i did it and i think it was less than a dozen total.
CarverFest: I just go for the arts and crafts
Re: Is my TFM-15CB really dead...?
What speakers are you using?
Maybe it's time to step up the power!
I know I don't regret it!

Maybe it's time to step up the power!


I know I don't regret it!


Chris
Living Room/main System:
Onkyo tx nr 545
Sunfire 300x2
Carver Amazing Silvers
Carver SD 390t
Technics SL 1950 Turntable
Polk Audio outdoor speakers wired to deck
Polk audio wired to pool table room
Basement/system 2:
Carver MXR-130
Teac reel to reel
Musical Fidelity X-10D tube buffer
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
Nikko eq2
Cerwin Vega HED's
Klipsch SW15
Infinity RS10's
Pioneer 100 disk changer
Garage system:
Pioneer VSX something?
Polk Audio 2500
Living Room/main System:
Onkyo tx nr 545
Sunfire 300x2
Carver Amazing Silvers
Carver SD 390t
Technics SL 1950 Turntable
Polk Audio outdoor speakers wired to deck
Polk audio wired to pool table room
Basement/system 2:
Carver MXR-130
Teac reel to reel
Musical Fidelity X-10D tube buffer
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
Nikko eq2
Cerwin Vega HED's
Klipsch SW15
Infinity RS10's
Pioneer 100 disk changer
Garage system:
Pioneer VSX something?
Polk Audio 2500