Carver C-500 Power Amp

Netfly

Netfly

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I'm interested in building a second system. Is this one worth taking a shot at repairing?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Carver-C-500-Power-Amplifier-For-Parts-Or-Repair-Only-Not-Working/172813081344?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D30fdcaf5ebc94c96b809efc3700c530a%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D172813081344&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042

or would I be better off looking for another PL700? Aside from the output power difference is the PL a better built amp?

Also what do yo think this one in broken, 'as is' condition is worth?

Any thoughts about Carver amps or PL vs Carver appreciated.

Thanks.
 
The C-500 is a nice amp (I have 2 of them). Build quality of the C-500 is just as good as the PL gear. It is very similar to a PL 400. The C-500 puts out a little more power than the 400 and has 8 outputs (per channel) instead of 6.

If you can get it for a decent price, I would buy it. Unfortunately, your bidding on it instead of a Buy It Now. I try and limit my purchase price to less than $250 if they are not working, but everyone has a different perception of what "too much" is.

However, if you hold out for a 700, your going to pay significantly more for the 700 than a C-500.
 
Thanks for the info THD+N. I'll keep that bid price in mind.
 
laatsch55 maybe, is it a 700seriesII or a 700B? I'll do that for a series II in good shape. I'm not that familiar with the differences with the B.
 
I'll post a few pics...
 

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Only difference in the B and the Series II are the meters...
 
Have the output transistor been replaced yet? I'm trying to locate an owner's manual to compare them.
 
Nope, completely stock...the Series II's used the PL36 board, a B used mostly PL14, or PL020 board. Same circuit design, different layout, same sound...
 
Here are the specs from the service manuals:
700B:

1-0. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS


POWER OUTPUT: 345 WATTS PER CHANNEL MINIMUM RMS AT 8 OHMS FROM 20-20kHZ WITH NO MORE THAN 0.25% TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION.
TYPICAL THD: 0.01% at rated power into 8 ohms. IM DISTORTION(60Hz:7kHz=4 :1): less than 0.25%
into 8-ohms at rated power .

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO: greater than lOOdB below rated output.

INPUT IMPEDANCE: lOOk-ohms nominal• reduces to lOk-ohms with input sensitivity controls shorted( fully CW) .

DAMPING FACTOR: 1000:1 @ lkHz

SLEW RATE: greater than 11 volts/microsecond

RISE TIME: less than 1.6 microseconds (small signal) POWER BANDWIDTH: 12Hz-40kHz, +0-ldB
PHASE SHIFT: 0 degrees at 20Hz, lagging 10 degrees at 20kHz.

INPUT SENSITIVITY: l.75v for rated output into 8 ohms.

700 series II:
700-2spec.jpg
Seems the specs are a bit different. Some may be how they were rated. Slightly more power, but the S/N, distortion and slew rate all appear better with the Series II. Maybe they used different output transistors? Considering I have a series II already, that's probably what I'd want to go with again, but thanks for the offer.
 
Not a problem, looks like ya got er all knowed up Bud, just thought I would throw this out there....in case.....
 
To compare here are the Carver C500 specs:
carver C500 spec.jpg

Also not as good as the 700 Series II
 
Yep, looks like the Series II's were the pinnacle of the design...
 
Amen, like I said Bud, got 12 of the buggers around here.....and not a Series II in the bunch....o-woe-is-me...
 
S/N is the one spec I usually look for foremost. Distortion too, but S/N means a lot. That lead me to the SAE 2900 pre over the PL and Carver units too.
 
12!!! WOW I bet when you have a party the whole neighborhood goes dim.
 
Well actually I've never even had any of these 12 plugged in. 10 are from Hadley Sound in Boston, old touring amps , and they are trashed, only thing good in them are the transformers and meters. This one was going to be one of my personal WOPL's with a black faceplate and Perry's WOPL 1000 inserts. BUT!!!! Since Joe came out with chassis and faceplates I can build a few of those Handley amps, like I said just seein if ya wanted to start your WOPL project with a looker....
 
No PL amp goes on the K's with no DC protect, and after hearing a White Oaked Pl, nothing compares that I've heard, and I've had a few amps here to compare to....
 
SNR's on the WOPL's can be as high as 120db....depends on your wire discipline and construction expertise.....



And I've yet to test a PL amp that tested the same...all over the map.

Heck, I've got a PL 400 transformer here that has 108 rail voltage...
 
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