Carver ca 900 amplifier score
Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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.
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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
http://www.johan.vanhoffelen.bewoner.an ... 0pm900.pdf
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2
engtaz
Carver M4.0T in front channels to Caver AL VI's in SACD & 2 Channel setup
C 16, PT 2400, Slim Device, Carver TX-8, 490T and Rega TT w Grado Gold cart in the 2 channel setup
Bogen SRB20 is computer amp
Carver PM-350 donated for youth church use
Carver M4.0T in front channels to Caver AL VI's in SACD & 2 Channel setup
C 16, PT 2400, Slim Device, Carver TX-8, 490T and Rega TT w Grado Gold cart in the 2 channel setup
Bogen SRB20 is computer amp
Carver PM-350 donated for youth church use
- TNRabbit
- R.I.P. Friend
- Posts: 13360
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:53 am
- Location: TN Native Languishing in VA
- Contact:
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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!
Congrats & welcome!
TNRabbit

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
OconeeOrange wrote:"Gary likes to play it 'loud' as do I. His system begs you turn it up until you die"
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.
- kingman
- (pair of) SILVER-7 TUBE AMPs
- Posts: 6468
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:10 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
WELCOME TO "THE LAND OF CARVER"!!!




In reality, it only matters what it sounds like to YOU!!!
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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.
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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. 


Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
What exactly makes them noisier?gdb wrote: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.
- TNRabbit
- R.I.P. Friend
- Posts: 13360
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:53 am
- Location: TN Native Languishing in VA
- Contact:
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
1. What is rest of your system? Speakers, preamp/processor, etc.hatrack71 wrote: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.
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:


TNRabbit

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
OconeeOrange wrote:"Gary likes to play it 'loud' as do I. His system begs you turn it up until you die"
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
Here is a pic of the two I have.
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
TNRabbit wrote:1. What is rest of your system? Speakers, preamp/processor, etc.hatrack71 wrote: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.
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!!

Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
Speaker WHORE !!!



- TNRabbit
- R.I.P. Friend
- Posts: 13360
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:53 am
- Location: TN Native Languishing in VA
- Contact:
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
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.
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.
TNRabbit

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
OconeeOrange wrote:"Gary likes to play it 'loud' as do I. His system begs you turn it up until you die"
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.
Re: Carver ca 900 amplifier score
Specific model speaker whore that is!gdb wrote:Speaker WHORE !!!![]()