I bought this amp brand new when I was a kid and after a few years or use I stored it away. I had it refreshed a couple of years ago and it's my front speaker amp now. It's as good as I remember it to be and it has giant meters! :)
@@vintageaudioreview I sent it to Carver Audio Repair and they did what they call a chassis refresh. It is also in mint condition but I had the tiniest of scratches on the front plate (OCD type) and luckily there is someone on eBay that sells brand new faceplates.
I purchased the M500t brand new back in the 80s. I still have it and it still works although I am no longer using it. It served me well for over 30 years. These days I am using the Jeff Rowland 125 power amp. I have no plans to ever get rid of my M500t. It is near and dear to my heart. Thanks for the video.
I have been binging on and enjoying many of your videos today. I used to subscribe to Stereo Review from 1978 until they changed the name to Sound and vision. I am reminded of those days. I especially like hearing about how well these pieces measure and your remarks about them. Thank you!
Wow- thanks for the great comment. It seems like we are about the same age if you subscribed to SR in 1978. I subscribed to them in 1979 or 80, and also Audio. I am trying to be more animated with the videos to make them a bit more entertaining, but it is not always easy with data. I am learning a lot by doing the testing and repairs when I can- you never know what is going to show up......
@@vintageaudioreview I was 17 at that time and I also sometimes subscribed to Audio and High Fidelity, but SR was the mainstay. I think you are doing a great job with being entertaining while presenting the measurements. I also like that you show as much of the product as possible, point out what is what and speak out all the measured numbers which makes it easier for people to enjoy and understand. Well done!
I like this amp. I had a TFM-6CB & recently traded for a serviced M-400. I love them both. The latter is more powerful, better sounding & is adorable ❤😊😂
I have never heard the cube described as "adorable", but it kinda is. Have not ever had a TFM-6CB, so can't comment on them. THe cubes have always sounded fine to me, you just can't drive the heck out of them....
@@vintageaudioreview lol, glad to be the 1st to be describing it as adorable to you. Oh, ok theTFM-6CB has a nice impact, clean sound, great bass (tho upper end is not AS detailed & clear as some philes may prefer, quite powerful. VERY reliable & well built. I had my recent one bridged running a 4 Ohm load, neve overheated or clipped & it go quite loud.
Always wondered how this amp stacked up when tested. I appreciate your test review and thougths. Mine is still working after all these years without a single issue since the mid 80's. I moved mine to an audio rack and reconnected my JBL S312BE's today and was wondering if this amp supported banana plugs, so good to know for sure now that it doesn't. Not a big deal. Carver products have served me well for decades.
Thanks for sharing this! At some time the amp will probably need re-capping, just be on the lookout for increasing levels of hum when the music is not playing. I am reviewing another Carver amp in next week's video and mention about the lack of banana jacks....
Saludos, excelentes sus videos, gracias por compartirlos, siga adelante, son muy valorados y apreciados sus comentarios y apreciaciones, abrazos desde Bogotá Colombia
Am just now seeing your comment. I am thinking it may have been a cost saving measure and they did not think the amps drew that much current when idling. I would have them switched on and off somehow and did that with my m400a's.
These are 251 wpc into 8 ohms actually. Best sounding Carver amp. I have one, also have two later TFM-35s. The M-500t sounds just a little bit sweeter. Through a CT-7 preamp these are very powerful, sweet, and clean sounding. Low noise floor too. Also if you’re testing these in original condition, you aren’t really establishing anything. The electrolytic capacitors inside your amp in particular are around 37 years old now. So those numbers you worked so hard to compile are meaningless. Those amplifiers all need an overhaul. Then run your tests.
@@doofwop Thanks for your comments! The main purpose of what I do is to look at how things have changed (aged) over time, so I would respectfully disagree with you about the results being meaningless. Thanks for realizing that I do work hard at compiling those "numbers". The Service manual for the 500t shows it as 200w/ch. A lot of what I have tested so far has aged rather well. The particular M500t that I reviewed was my friend's, and I saw no reason to replace the caps on it based on its performance- just my philosophy. I appreciate your taking the time to keep me honest..
Excellent presentation. But I have an issue. I hope you can help me with. I dug my carver 500 MT out of the box after five years on the road and I’m hooking everything back up in our new home. But I will be doggone what the ground on the back of the amplifier should be grounded to. I know that sounds like an idiot question but I’m not sure whether I ground it to some equipment or whether I ground it to the house and if I ground it to the house where do I ground it to the house? Appreciate any input from any carver fans out there
Thanks for the question- I probably would not connect it to anything unless you hear some hum with it connected to your preamp which has selected the aux/tuner input and the volume control is set to minimum. The ground could be connected to the house ground or preamp ground possibly- whichever on caused the least amount of noise.
I was pretty sure it was 250 per channel. I had one and it worked fine for about 10 years and then one day I reached to turn it off and a static electricity spark flew when my finger touched the metal case and a puff of smoke came out of it. The left channel never worked the same after that even after sending it to a “certified” Carver repair center.
Back in 1985 I would have loved to have been able to afford one. I knew a guy who had 2 of these on 4 big Cerwin Vega 15" 3 way loud speakers back in 1986 and it's still one of the best sounding stereo systems I have ever heard.
I just picked one up today. Paired with a recapped and tuned Marantz 24 preamp tuner running a pair of CV E715s. OMG it's impressive. Will never trade this. Told my daughter never, ever sell this. Enjoy it and be careful with the volume control.
I bought that amp back in the day after my Pioneer SX1280 failed twice. I just recently watched a back in the day movie "Ferris Bullier's day off" and near the beginning of the movie is the M-500T. Kool
I make my own cables using 12 gauge oxygen free copper speaker from Amazon, and nice banana jacks that can accept 12 gauge wire. I am not a believer in expensive speaker wires- 12 gauge should be good for runs of say 20' no problem.
The Carver amps were a good bargain when new. Now in the used market the larger Carver amps like this sell for a lot. Especially the T models. A lot are at the period where they need maintenance. So as much as I would like to buy one for fun, I avoid them. Nice review. Thanks.
Dan- Thanks once again for your commentary! The couple of Carver amps, and preamps for that matter, that I have tested, have been in good shape and not required much other than control cleaning for the most part. Except for my pair of M400as, which need re-capping and I will get around to that at some point. My theory is that the Carver power amps that have on/off switches may be in better shape than the ones that don't. I think the "t" designation may be more about marketing- at least from what I have seen. Carver may have the biggest group of "fans" from what I have noticed. If you ever have a chance to pick up one of the "t" amps- and it works- I would go for it.
@@j.t.cooper2963 Yeah. It's still tempting to try one. I have heard them a lot in showrooms back when they were new. I compared them side by side with NAD amps. The Carver amps did sound better than the NAD amps in many ways. But the NAD amps have better bass and aren't as bright as the Carver amps. I prefer Bryston amps to both NAD and Carver.
It does not surprise me that it has lasted that long at all. As I mentioned in the video, I was going by the power rating listed in the service manual- the owner's manual listed it as higher. Thanks for the comment!
sorry for the duplicate post... didn't read ALL of the comments. I have a pair of M-500t's... also a pair of M-1.0t's, a pair of M-1.5t's, and a pair of M-4.0t's. Have both a Carver C-1 and C-4000t preampls. Also have a pair of Yamaha M-65's and a lone M-45. Love vintage stuff.
Thanks for the comment. I typically will state what the power output is when used as a monoblock, but may not have, though I did test it up to 200w- not sure why I did not go higher other than it was not my amp....
I appreciate your comment. The focus of my channel is the technical aspect of the gear for the most- there are very few channels that focus on that, particularly older gear. I have not had anyone ask what tracks I use when listening, though I may occasionally mention something about the music.
@@vintageaudioreview for my taste the Carver PM 1.5t sounded better, where the M-500t was A+ was in reliability, I use it to drive 4 JBL 2240H 18 inch subs on a disco for 20 years and the only thing I had to repair was the display bulbs, the limitation in sound basically was cause by the use of cheap electrolytic caps on the signal path, but overall good design Bob did
@@ThresholdZhor I have not listened to the 1.5t, but hear it is a sought-after amp by Carver aficionados. Not sure I would agree with you about cheap electrolytics causing bad sound- certainly they may go bad quicker than a more reliable brand, but if both were new I doubt there would be sonic difference. Thanks for your comments!
@@mikemonteforte9726 Keep in mind, just because they can handle 400 watts doesn't mean you want to run them with that much power for long periods of time. The M500t is a nice amp.
Thanks- that has been pointed out a lot to me. THe user's manual was different than the service manual in regards to the power rating I think was the problem....
I had this amp in the late 80s, clean and could push with speakers that could handle it. My favorite amp when my ears worked a little better.
A lot of folks really like the m500t- thanks for commenting
It's amazing that even after all these years the design of this amp is very beautiful, a real classic.
This amp seems to have a real good following and I understand why- thanks so much for taking the time to comment
I bought this amp brand new when I was a kid and after a few years or use I stored it away. I had it refreshed a couple of years ago and it's my front speaker amp now. It's as good as I remember it to be and it has giant meters! :)
Did you have it refreshed and upgraded as there are some upgrades that could have been done?... The amp seems to be quite popular with Carver fans.
@@vintageaudioreview I sent it to Carver Audio Repair and they did what they call a chassis refresh.
It is also in mint condition but I had the tiniest of scratches on the front plate (OCD type) and luckily there is someone on eBay that sells brand new faceplates.
@@videoproboston2450 It should last you many more years. If you had Carver do the refresh it would have gotten any updates.
I purchased the M500t brand new back in the 80s. I still have it and it still works although I am no longer using it. It served me well for over 30 years. These days I am using the Jeff Rowland 125 power amp. I have no plans to ever get rid of my M500t. It is near and dear to my heart. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the comment and I would suggested finding a way to use it- maybe have it upgraded/refurbished by a place like Nelion Audio
I have been binging on and enjoying many of your videos today. I used to subscribe to Stereo Review from 1978 until they changed the name to Sound and vision. I am reminded of those days. I especially like hearing about how well these pieces measure and your remarks about them. Thank you!
Wow- thanks for the great comment. It seems like we are about the same age if you subscribed to SR in 1978. I subscribed to them in 1979 or 80, and also Audio. I am trying to be more animated with the videos to make them a bit more entertaining, but it is not always easy with data. I am learning a lot by doing the testing and repairs when I can- you never know what is going to show up......
@@vintageaudioreview I was 17 at that time and I also sometimes subscribed to Audio and High Fidelity, but SR was the mainstay. I think you are doing a great job with being entertaining while presenting the measurements. I also like that you show as much of the product as possible, point out what is what and speak out all the measured numbers which makes it easier for people to enjoy and understand. Well done!
I like this amp. I had a TFM-6CB & recently traded for a serviced M-400. I love them both. The latter is more powerful, better sounding & is adorable ❤😊😂
I have never heard the cube described as "adorable", but it kinda is. Have not ever had a TFM-6CB, so can't comment on them. THe cubes have always sounded fine to me, you just can't drive the heck out of them....
@@vintageaudioreview lol, glad to be the 1st to be describing it as adorable to you. Oh, ok theTFM-6CB has a nice impact, clean sound, great bass (tho upper end is not AS detailed & clear as some philes may prefer, quite powerful. VERY reliable & well built. I had my recent one bridged running a 4 Ohm load, neve overheated or clipped & it go quite loud.
@@Zimmy_1981 You can't ask for more than that!
@@vintageaudioreview thanks & agreed 🙂
Always wondered how this amp stacked up when tested. I appreciate your test review and thougths. Mine is still working after all these years without a single issue since the mid 80's. I moved mine to an audio rack and reconnected my JBL S312BE's today and was wondering if this amp supported banana plugs, so good to know for sure now that it doesn't. Not a big deal. Carver products have served me well for decades.
Thanks for sharing this! At some time the amp will probably need re-capping, just be on the lookout for increasing levels of hum when the music is not playing. I am reviewing another Carver amp in next week's video and mention about the lack of banana jacks....
Saludos, excelentes sus videos, gracias por compartirlos, siga adelante, son muy valorados y apreciados sus comentarios y apreciaciones, abrazos desde Bogotá Colombia
Gracias! AS long as folks appreciate the videos and I have stuff to review, I will continue.
What would the reason be for not having an off and on switch on some models? the m-500 had no switch Great Carver gear
Am just now seeing your comment. I am thinking it may have been a cost saving measure and they did not think the amps drew that much current when idling. I would have them switched on and off somehow and did that with my m400a's.
Beautiful amp, these are getting rare
Thanks for the comment! I believe that the owner put this for sale with a Carver CT7 tuner/preamp...
Used to dream about these. Still have a Carver Brochure from this era.
@@jebrehbaker8613 That is nice that you kept the brochure!
These are 251 wpc into 8 ohms actually. Best sounding Carver amp. I have one, also have two later TFM-35s. The M-500t sounds just a little bit sweeter. Through a CT-7 preamp these are very powerful, sweet, and clean sounding. Low noise floor too.
Also if you’re testing these in original condition, you aren’t really establishing anything. The electrolytic capacitors inside your amp in particular are around 37 years old now. So those numbers you worked so hard to compile are meaningless. Those amplifiers all need an overhaul. Then run your tests.
@@doofwop Thanks for your comments! The main purpose of what I do is to look at how things have changed (aged) over time, so I would respectfully disagree with you about the results being meaningless. Thanks for realizing that I do work hard at compiling those "numbers". The Service manual for the 500t shows it as 200w/ch. A lot of what I have tested so far has aged rather well. The particular M500t that I reviewed was my friend's, and I saw no reason to replace the caps on it based on its performance- just my philosophy. I appreciate your taking the time to keep me honest..
Excellent presentation.
But I have an issue. I hope you can help me with. I dug my carver 500 MT out of the box after five years on the road and I’m hooking everything back up in our new home. But I will be doggone what the ground on the back of the amplifier should be grounded to. I know that sounds like an idiot question but I’m not sure whether I ground it to some equipment or whether I ground it to the house and if I ground it to the house where do I ground it to the house? Appreciate any input from any carver fans out there
Thanks for the question- I probably would not connect it to anything unless you hear some hum with it connected to your preamp which has selected the aux/tuner input and the volume control is set to minimum. The ground could be connected to the house ground or preamp ground possibly- whichever on caused the least amount of noise.
@@vintageaudioreview thanks for the refresher
@@bradofathousandnight I appreciate getting a question I could answer
I was pretty sure it was 250 per channel. I had one and it worked fine for about 10 years and then one day I reached to turn it off and a static electricity spark flew when my finger touched the metal case and a puff of smoke came out of it. The left channel never worked the same after that even after sending it to a “certified” Carver repair center.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience and its too bad the repair shop not being able to repair the problem
Back in 1985 I would have loved to have been able to afford one. I knew a guy who had 2 of these on 4 big Cerwin Vega 15" 3 way loud speakers back in 1986 and it's still one of the best sounding stereo systems I have ever heard.
That would have certainly been one rockin' system- thanks for the comment
I just picked one up today. Paired with a recapped and tuned Marantz 24 preamp tuner running a pair of CV E715s. OMG it's impressive. Will never trade this. Told my daughter never, ever sell this. Enjoy it and be careful with the volume control.
I bought that amp back in the day after my Pioneer SX1280 failed twice. I just recently watched a back in the day movie "Ferris Bullier's day off" and near the beginning of the movie is the M-500T. Kool
Thanks for sharing your experience and now I am going to watch "Ferris Bullier's day off"- at least until I see the M-500T....
@@vintageaudioreview It's only about 3:48 minutes into it. BTW
@@walkingman9171 I bet its been 15 years or more since I watched it so maybe I will watch the whole thing again....
what kind of speaker cables would i need for this amp?
Thanks.
I make my own cables using 12 gauge oxygen free copper speaker from Amazon, and nice banana jacks that can accept 12 gauge wire. I am not a believer in expensive speaker wires- 12 gauge should be good for runs of say 20' no problem.
The Carver amps were a good bargain when new. Now in the used market the larger Carver amps like this sell for a lot. Especially the T models. A lot are at the period where they need maintenance. So as much as I would like to buy one for fun, I avoid them. Nice review. Thanks.
Dan- Thanks once again for your commentary! The couple of Carver amps, and preamps for that matter, that I have tested, have been in good shape and not required much other than control cleaning for the most part. Except for my pair of M400as, which need re-capping and I will get around to that at some point. My theory is that the Carver power amps that have on/off switches may be in better shape than the ones that don't. I think the "t" designation may be more about marketing- at least from what I have seen. Carver may have the biggest group of "fans" from what I have noticed. If you ever have a chance to pick up one of the "t" amps- and it works- I would go for it.
You don't know what you're missing then.
@@j.t.cooper2963 Yeah. It's still tempting to try one. I have heard them a lot in showrooms back when they were new. I compared them side by side with NAD amps. The Carver amps did sound better than the NAD amps in many ways. But the NAD amps have better bass and aren't as bright as the Carver amps. I prefer Bryston amps to both NAD and Carver.
thanks for the comment, though I am not getting the context..@@j.t.cooper2963
Good evening The Carver M500T was rated at 251 wpc I had mind over 30 yrs
It does not surprise me that it has lasted that long at all. As I mentioned in the video, I was going by the power rating listed in the service manual- the owner's manual listed it as higher. Thanks for the comment!
I always thought the M-1.0t was 200 wpc whereas the M-500t was 251 wpc (both into 8 ohms)
sorry for the duplicate post... didn't read ALL of the comments. I have a pair of M-500t's... also a pair of M-1.0t's, a pair of M-1.5t's, and a pair of M-4.0t's. Have both a Carver C-1 and C-4000t preampls. Also have a pair of Yamaha M-65's and a lone M-45. Love vintage stuff.
you do realize the power output in bridged mono is 500W
Thanks for the comment. I typically will state what the power output is when used as a monoblock, but may not have, though I did test it up to 200w- not sure why I did not go higher other than it was not my amp....
to much tech...more music testing😁
I appreciate your comment. The focus of my channel is the technical aspect of the gear for the most- there are very few channels that focus on that, particularly older gear. I have not had anyone ask what tracks I use when listening, though I may occasionally mention something about the music.
i Gave mine away
They are prized by Carver collectors.. hopefully it was still working.
looks like a Toaster
A toaster with big meters!
250wpc btw
Thanks for paying attention to the video!
I had one, also the M400, this M500t had a boring sound, never like it
There are a lot of folks in Carver groups that would disagree with you- the M500T is highly regarded.
@@vintageaudioreview for my taste the Carver PM 1.5t sounded better, where the M-500t was A+ was in reliability, I use it to drive 4 JBL 2240H 18 inch subs on a disco for 20 years and the only thing I had to repair was the display bulbs, the limitation in sound basically was cause by the use of cheap electrolytic caps on the signal path, but overall good design Bob did
@@ThresholdZhor I have not listened to the 1.5t, but hear it is a sought-after amp by Carver aficionados. Not sure I would agree with you about cheap electrolytics causing bad sound- certainly they may go bad quicker than a more reliable brand, but if both were new I doubt there would be sonic difference. Thanks for your comments!
Какой красавец!👍 В коллекцию бы такой!)
??
Will that amplifier run at 4 Ohms
Yes- look around the 11:10 mark of the video for 4ohm testing.
Okay thanks I have somebody that wants to sell me a m500t but I want to know if it'll run my 4 ohm speakers which can handle 400 + per Channel
@@mikemonteforte9726 Keep in mind, just because they can handle 400 watts doesn't mean you want to run them with that much power for long periods of time. The M500t is a nice amp.
It was 251 watts into 8 ohms
Thanks- that has been pointed out a lot to me. THe user's manual was different than the service manual in regards to the power rating I think was the problem....