Carver a500x - One bad channel

Hello, been a long time since I had any Carver gear, and I'm happy to find this forum again.

Recently I bought an a500x, but it has one bad channel. The relay does not kick in, but I'm not sure what the issue is. The previous owner dropped it (!!!) and broke the left channel level control handle and the input jack. I've repaired both, but the channel is still dead, though I get about 10mw dc offset from the speaker output.

I don't hear the relay on that channel click - just the other channel does. I've heard that the relays in general tend to go out, but I'm not sure that's the problem.

Can anyone advise me where to start? I've been combing the net looking for a service manual, and the closest I have found is a schematic for an a400x.

The channel that does work sounds amazing, and I'll admit that 250 wpc is intoxicating. I don't think it will take too long before I become a Carver addict.

Is the bridged button pushed in?

Welcome!!! Are there level controls and are they matched?

ray

The bridge button has not been pushed in and the level controls are both at max.
I wish it was that simple. The relay does not kick in which makes me wonder if that channel is in protect mode or if the relay is bad or if it's something else.

Rita's Vintage Audio, home of Bob Carver, does excellent repair work. The reason I mentioned the button was because I received that exact amp damaged in shipping one time and the rear speaker terminals, volume pot and bridged button were broken from impact, which all had to be repaired. Anyway, good luck!

Rita's, Vintage HiFi of Pittsburgh, & Hi-Tech Audio are all excellent repair shops. Contact info for all there are licated here on the site in a thread entitled Carver Repair. Try a search.

I'd provide the link, but I'm on my Droid & it's a PITA to do.

Thanks, I appreciate any help with this. I'm in California, so a local shop would save the shipping costs. I'd like to fix it myself if possible.

When I press the bridge button both channels go out. No schematics on line, but there is one for its bigger brother, so that might work.

Can anyone help with the relay and possible protect mode? Each channel has it's own relay, and I would suspect a short or failed component that would prevent the relay from closing, or the relay is possibly bad.

Would anyone perchance have a service manual?


Thanks!

The bridge button has not been pushed in and the level controls are both at max.
I wish it was that simple. The relay does not kick in which makes me wonder if that channel is in protect mode or if the relay is bad or if it's something else.

ZeroG: Where are you located? Perhaps someone from the forum that is close by may be of assistance.

ray