Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2010 13:49:17 GMT -5
I am really bored, so i thought i would right up a review on my experience with both amplifiers on my beloved Revel F12's. Conducting this review i used one channel on the Carver and used the UPA-1 (one amp) on the other channel. Just to clear things up i am only listening to 2 channel audio. My center, surrounds or subwoofer are not plugged in.
Both amplifiers are using the same length and brand RCA cord and both speakers are using the same exact speaker cable. Both amps are plugged directly into the wall. The Carver M 1.0t is rated 200@8 x2 channels.
First impressions: I knew and have known for a while that older carver amps are a little noisy and pop at shutoff. So i tested this first with both amps, turning them on and off more then 10 times. The Carver when turned on buzzes' pretty loud for a few seconds and the chassis cover makes a popping sound. I wondered why this was happening so i took the cover off. The heavy transformer is touching the cover ( protecting the cover is a 1/8 piece of insulation where the transformer gets close). So when it gets power it jumps up a little
. The UPA-1 started up just fine, no jumps, barks, whistles, buzzes, just a clean start up.
Now with both speakers on, i walked up to each tower and listened for background noise. My left tower (Carver) I heard a fair amount of noise but when sitting on the couch it's barley noticeable. On to the right tower (UPA-1), i had to take a couple double takes. At first i thought i heard noise but that was just my refrigerator. So i unplugged my frig and tv, to get rid of any noise in the room. I listened one more time and found no noise, NONE AT ALL!!!
I did these tests with each speaker being plugged into a different amp. L/Carver R/UPA-1, L/UPA-1 R/Carver and got the same results. The Carver was noisy and the UPA-1 had no noise at all
Listening: I listened to all types of genres to get a good perspective on how theses amps sound. No matter what i played or how loud i played i kept leaning towards the side of the room with the tower connected to the UPA-1. Which ever tower was connected to the UPA-1, the sound was more natural, detailed, lively, more open and breathed better. I swapped amps back and fourth, back and fourth. Where ever the UPA was my ears went! It sounds like the Carver is putting a blanket in front of the speaker. The sound is to warm for my liking, mid's are very nice but the highs miss the detail and finesse.
Having two different amplifiers messed with the soundstage a bit but i figured it would. Each time i swapped amplifiers i had to adjust the speaker level for each tower. Every single time i did this, the UPA-1 was 2.5db louder then the Carver. Of course when i did my listening i made sure each was within .5db of each other.
Conclusion: Throughout hours of listening this morning i have falling in love with the UPA-1. I got notification that my other 2 UPA-1's are on there way just minutes ago ( that's why i did this review in a crazy manner because i only have the Carver and 1 UPA-1 at the moment) Overall the UPA-1 out preformed the Carver. As it brought new life to my Revel's. More detail, clarity, richness, better bass response and just overall better sound. Bob Carver designed the M 1.ot to have a tube like sound and it was apparent. Personally i like a little more edge on my sound and a tiny bit up front.
Nice job Emotiva on a great mono amp ;D ;D ;D ;D
FYI: i suck at writing reviews
Both amplifiers are using the same length and brand RCA cord and both speakers are using the same exact speaker cable. Both amps are plugged directly into the wall. The Carver M 1.0t is rated 200@8 x2 channels.
First impressions: I knew and have known for a while that older carver amps are a little noisy and pop at shutoff. So i tested this first with both amps, turning them on and off more then 10 times. The Carver when turned on buzzes' pretty loud for a few seconds and the chassis cover makes a popping sound. I wondered why this was happening so i took the cover off. The heavy transformer is touching the cover ( protecting the cover is a 1/8 piece of insulation where the transformer gets close). So when it gets power it jumps up a little
. The UPA-1 started up just fine, no jumps, barks, whistles, buzzes, just a clean start up. Now with both speakers on, i walked up to each tower and listened for background noise. My left tower (Carver) I heard a fair amount of noise but when sitting on the couch it's barley noticeable. On to the right tower (UPA-1), i had to take a couple double takes. At first i thought i heard noise but that was just my refrigerator. So i unplugged my frig and tv, to get rid of any noise in the room. I listened one more time and found no noise, NONE AT ALL!!!
I did these tests with each speaker being plugged into a different amp. L/Carver R/UPA-1, L/UPA-1 R/Carver and got the same results. The Carver was noisy and the UPA-1 had no noise at all
Listening: I listened to all types of genres to get a good perspective on how theses amps sound. No matter what i played or how loud i played i kept leaning towards the side of the room with the tower connected to the UPA-1. Which ever tower was connected to the UPA-1, the sound was more natural, detailed, lively, more open and breathed better. I swapped amps back and fourth, back and fourth. Where ever the UPA was my ears went! It sounds like the Carver is putting a blanket in front of the speaker. The sound is to warm for my liking, mid's are very nice but the highs miss the detail and finesse.
Having two different amplifiers messed with the soundstage a bit but i figured it would. Each time i swapped amplifiers i had to adjust the speaker level for each tower. Every single time i did this, the UPA-1 was 2.5db louder then the Carver. Of course when i did my listening i made sure each was within .5db of each other.
Conclusion: Throughout hours of listening this morning i have falling in love with the UPA-1. I got notification that my other 2 UPA-1's are on there way just minutes ago ( that's why i did this review in a crazy manner because i only have the Carver and 1 UPA-1 at the moment) Overall the UPA-1 out preformed the Carver. As it brought new life to my Revel's. More detail, clarity, richness, better bass response and just overall better sound. Bob Carver designed the M 1.ot to have a tube like sound and it was apparent. Personally i like a little more edge on my sound and a tiny bit up front.
Nice job Emotiva on a great mono amp ;D ;D ;D ;D
FYI: i suck at writing reviews
Sounds like Emo was the clear winner, We have similar taste in sound 
