Carver ca 900 amplifier score

[hatrack71]

I just picked up a couple of CA 900 amplifiers and plan to run them bridged to my Platinums when I get the ribbon fixed. I know nothing about them. There are 4 more available which are saved for me if I want them. I don't know how to use these as the inputs are not RCAs. Should I buy the rest of them, the price is very good I think. Are they suitable for home audio or a theater set-up? They are very heavy.

[engtaz]

They use 1/4" phono and balance input connectors. You need to buy a RCA to 1/4" or XLR Balanced connector cable.
http://www.johan.vanhoffelen.bewoner.an ... 0pm900.pdf
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

[TNRabbit]

MOST professional amps are a bit noisy for home audio use, however; I'd do as Bob Carver advises "I don't know, why don't we TRY it and see!"....

Congrats & welcome!

[kingman]

WELCOME TO "THE LAND OF CARVER"!!!

[hatrack71]

How much noisier are they than say the equivalent home Carver power amp. Understand that I am purchasing these for $100 each. Out of what I could find these are bridgeable to 900 watt into an 8 ohm load and rated at 325/ch into 8 ohms stereo. How much different is the circuitry other than all the protection circuits? Are there any mods? These also do not have a 1/4" input but they have barrier strip inputs and XLRs. Would they be fitting for a massive home theater set-up? Just trying to see if I should invest another $400 in the other 4 for a total of 6 which I could run all in mono for each theater channel.

[gdb]

Since the amps in a real movie theater are of the commercial/pro type and somewhat "noisy", using the ones you've found might give you a real, authentic theater sound. PS: buy em all and if you don't like em, you can sell em on the bay for a profit.

[hatrack71]

Since the amps in a real movie theater are of the commercial/pro type and somewhat "noisy", using the ones you've found might give you a real, authentic theater sound. PS: buy em all and if you don't like em, you can sell em on the bay for a profit.

What exactly makes them noisier?

[TNRabbit]

How much noisier are they than say the equivalent home Carver power amp. Understand that I am purchasing these for $100 each. Out of what I could find these are bridgeable to 900 watt into an 8 ohm load and rated at 325/ch into 8 ohms stereo. How much different is the circuitry other than all the protection circuits? Are there any mods? These also do not have a 1/4" input but they have barrier strip inputs and XLRs. Would they be fitting for a massive home theater set-up? Just trying to see if I should invest another $400 in the other 4 for a total of 6 which I could run all in mono for each theater channel.

1. What is rest of your system? Speakers, preamp/processor, etc.
2. Bridging is usually NOT the best use of an amp; bi-amping is generally better. Bridged amps often hit their current limit, resulting in smeared sound & flabby bass. Not to mention longevity. That said, pro amps USUALLY are built to withstand bridging better than non-pro amps.
3. You listed this as a CA 900, which I'm not familiar with. There was a PM-900 and PXM-900. I think the PXM was post-Carver when Phoenix Gold bought the name.

Pics of the other two:

[hatrack71]

Here is a pic of the two I have.

100_0837.JPG (682.67 KiB) Viewed 5749 times

[hatrack71]

How much noisier are they than say the equivalent home Carver power amp. Understand that I am purchasing these for $100 each. Out of what I could find these are bridgeable to 900 watt into an 8 ohm load and rated at 325/ch into 8 ohms stereo. How much different is the circuitry other than all the protection circuits? Are there any mods? These also do not have a 1/4" input but they have barrier strip inputs and XLRs. Would they be fitting for a massive home theater set-up? Just trying to see if I should invest another $400 in the other 4 for a total of 6 which I could run all in mono for each theater channel.

1. What is rest of your system? Speakers, preamp/processor, etc.
2. Bridging is usually NOT the best use of an amp; bi-amping is generally better. Bridged amps often hit their current limit, resulting in smeared sound & flabby bass. Not to mention longevity. That said, pro amps USUALLY are built to withstand bridging better than non-pro amps.
3. You listed this as a CA 900, which I'm not familiar with. There was a PM-900 and PXM-900. I think the PXM was post-Carver when Phoenix Gold bought the name.

Pics of the other two:

Sorry about the pics! I can't figure out how to get them smaller and my camera sucks! I have oodles of equipment possibilities. The only processor I have is an Acurus ACT 3. I have a pair of Carver Platinums, Klipschorns, 2 pair of LaScalas, a pair of Cornwalls, 2 pair of Heresy IIs- one of them HIPs, a pair of Altec Valencia- with 802-8Gs, a pair of Heathkit AS-101s, a pair of Altec Magnificents, a pair of JBL Apolllos- with (D140Fs, 2420/H91 and LX-16), 2 pair of Magnepan MG IIbs, a pair of ESS "Criterion 2005"s, a pair of Magnepan SMGs, a pair of Acoustat Model 2 MH and an RBH 12" sub. Whew!!, I have too many big speakers- I feel like they are invading me they take so much room but I just am too weak and can't force myself to sell any of them- I like them all because they each do something uniquely special. I actually had quite a few more pair but the floor joists were creaking. The benefits of being a bachelor I guess. Now if I can just sister up each floojoist and double block them I can get a few more pair but this will have to do for now!!

[gdb]

Speaker WHORE !!!

[TNRabbit]

Holy Moley~

The Carvers & Maggies are probably the biggest current hogs. NO WAY will you require that much power for any of the Klipsch!

I'd consider bi-amping where possible.

[hatrack71]

Speaker WHORE !!!

Specific model speaker whore that is!