cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Apr 19, 2016 20:14:38 GMT -5
A few weeks ago I saw a post about Carvin amps and equipment. I've been looking at their website and it seems that they have some pretty nice equipment but it's more for the studio and commercial applications.
My question is has anyone used any of their amps for home audio? I'm thinking about getting an amp or two but don't want to waste my time or $$ if they aren't suitable for home use.
Thoughts??
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guitarforlife
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Post by guitarforlife on Apr 19, 2016 20:23:31 GMT -5
A few weeks ago I saw a post about Carvin amps and equipment. I've been looking at their website and it seems that they have some pretty nice equipment but it's more for the studio and commercial applications. My question is has anyone used any of their amps for home audio? I'm thinking about getting an amp or two but don't want to waste my time or $$ if they aren't suitable for home use. Thoughts?? I have quite a few of their guitar amps and hand made guitars. The quality is top notch. I have called them and asked the same question. They told me they sell quite a few for home theaters and stereo. Call them they are great for answering questions. |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Apr 19, 2016 20:40:47 GMT -5
Thanks, good to know. Have you tried any of their amps for home theater??
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Post by knucklehead on Apr 19, 2016 20:55:19 GMT -5
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Apr 21, 2016 6:10:47 GMT -5
I don't know why these Carvin amps have been bugging me but I just caved in and bought a HD3000 2 channel. I plan to try it out for my surrounds but I'll also try it out for the fronts just for kicks. It may be tough to outdo the XPA-2 on the fronts. They only have a 10 day return policy so it will be a quick install and check. It if sounds good, then great. If not, then I've learned something!!  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 21, 2016 10:58:12 GMT -5
My concern with a 'guitar amp' is that it's designed to be part of an instrument. An electric guitar doesn't have a sound without an amp, yes a Stratocaster sounds different than a Les Paul, but both of their sounds are altered and enhanced by the amp they're played through, and the amps are designed to do that. Guitarists value specific amps because of their sound (coloration and distortion), whereas audiophiles value specific amps because of their lack of sound (accuracy and lack of coloration). The amp linked above makes specific references to 'saturation' and other distortions, this (to me) does not 'sound' like the kind of amp I would want to have reproducing music or film, but rather the type of amp that designed for creating a sound. If they make an accurate product, possibly for PA use, it might be better suited for audio reproduction, but I would be skeptical as that is not their core competency.
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Post by casey01 on Apr 21, 2016 11:47:33 GMT -5
From my experience, in attempting to use power amps(tube or solid state) such as you described for an A/V application(in my case, QSC,Yamaha), the most important issue for me always came down to excess noise(hum,fan etc.), especially with the mid range and lower product lines that are not really designed for use where signal to noise ratios are important. Live music/instrument applications don't really require "quiet" amps. You can get better s/n ratios in the higher end power amp products, however, they tend to be considerably more expensive and then you enter the price range of dedicated multi-channel A/V amps that have the power, are better value and are considerably quieter.
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guitarforlife
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Post by guitarforlife on Apr 21, 2016 12:06:20 GMT -5
My concern with a 'guitar amp' is that it's designed to be part of an instrument. An electric guitar doesn't have a sound without an amp, yes a Stratocaster sounds different than a Les Paul, but both of their sounds are altered and enhanced by the amp they're played through, and the amps are designed to do that. Guitarists value specific amps because of their sound (coloration and distortion), whereas audiophiles value specific amps because of their lack of sound (accuracy and lack of coloration). The amp linked above makes specific references to 'saturation' and other distortions, this (to me) does not 'sound' like the kind of amp I would want to have reproducing music or film, but rather the type of amp that designed for creating a sound. If they make an accurate product, possibly for PA use, it might be better suited for audio reproduction, but I would be skeptical as that is not their core competency. He is not talking about guitar amps. He is asking about their pro audio amps. Whole different thing. |
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guitarforlife
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Post by guitarforlife on Apr 21, 2016 12:10:35 GMT -5
I don't know why these Carvin amps have been bugging me but I just caved in and bought a HD3000 2 channel. I plan to try it out for my surrounds but I'll also try it out for the fronts just for kicks. It may be tough to outdo the XPA-2 on the fronts. They only have a 10 day return policy so it will be a quick install and check. It if sounds good, then great. If not, then I've learned something!! I will be very interested in hearing what you think of this. Keep us up to date. By the way just out of curiosity sake, did you call and ask them about using them in HT. What did they say about it ? I have used these amps in a live setting playing music though them and they sounded great. But I never had them in a "home" setting. |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Apr 21, 2016 12:44:37 GMT -5
I don't know why these Carvin amps have been bugging me but I just caved in and bought a HD3000 2 channel. I plan to try it out for my surrounds but I'll also try it out for the fronts just for kicks. It may be tough to outdo the XPA-2 on the fronts. They only have a 10 day return policy so it will be a quick install and check. It if sounds good, then great. If not, then I've learned something!! I will be very interested in hearing what you think of this. Keep us up to date. By the way just out of curiosity sake, did you call and ask them about using them in HT. What did they say about it ? I have used these amps in a live setting playing music though them and they sounded great. But I never had them in a "home" setting. Yes I did talk to someone at Carvin. He answered my questions but I can't say that he was real helpful or gave me much more than I asked for. He did say that their amps have been used in home situations but didn't elaborate. Whether it was a lack of caring, a lack of knowledge or just the opposite, knowledge that he didn't want to share, I don't know. Like I said, I will either be happy with the purchase or I will send it back. Will update everyone as soon as I receive it and get it hooked up. |
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guitarforlife
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Just another busy day in Northern Wisconsin.
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Post by guitarforlife on Apr 21, 2016 20:18:00 GMT -5
I will be very interested in hearing what you think of this. Keep us up to date. By the way just out of curiosity sake, did you call and ask them about using them in HT. What did they say about it ? I have used these amps in a live setting playing music though them and they sounded great. But I never had them in a "home" setting. Yes I did talk to someone at Carvin. He answered my questions but I can't say that he was real helpful or gave me much more than I asked for. He did say that their amps have been used in home situations but didn't elaborate. Whether it was a lack of caring, a lack of knowledge or just the opposite, knowledge that he didn't want to share, I don't know. Like I said, I will either be happy with the purchase or I will send it back. Will update everyone as soon as I receive it and get it hooked up. When I called them and asked if anyone ever used their amps for home stereo or HT. They told me yes, but did not give up a lot of info either. They were kind of direct and right to the point. But at the same time nice and friendly. It is the same when ever I have called Emotiva. I just thought they get so many calls through out the day they just do not have time for chit chat. No biggie. It will be interesting on your thoughts when you get it hooked up. |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Apr 29, 2016 8:48:06 GMT -5
I think an octopus usually has 8 tentacles. It seems that whenever you start researching, investigating or thinking you want to try something new, it always grows by leaps and bounds over the original thought and becomes an octopus with 16, 24, 32....... tentacles!!!  So I began thinking Carvin but that morphed into Peavey, QSC, Yamaha, Crown, blah, blah, blah..... All good but all different. Bottom line. I ordered a new Carvin HD3000 and found a used QSC GX5 on ebay. My thought was to use the Carvin for surrounds, the GX5 for mains and keep an XPA-100 for the center. Last night, I hooked up the Carvin to my mains because it was easier to get to the XPA-2 and briefly listened to some music. Can't give a firm answer yet. It sounded good but voices may have been a bit muffled over the XPA-2. Couldn't crank it up and I need to spend some time this weekend listening to more singing and voices. Fan was on but not a concern, very low. Even if the Carvin doesn't work for the fronts, it may be fine for surrounds. It's not the amount of power (340@8ohms), but will it be clear, distinct and crisp enough?? Time will tell. QSC arrives next week. I'll try it with the mains and see how that goes. More to follow!! |
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