Ultimate amp?

[Geoffcin]

Hi guys,

Just saw this on Ebay and had to do a double take. Hand made by Bob Carver, and sporting enough power to drive any speaker ever made.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stereo-tube-amplifiers-amps-Carver-KT88-Telefunken_W0QQitemZ180458977705QQcmdZViewItemQQpt ZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item2a043179a9

[dakatabg]

Looks like this amp may go over 10K.

It looks like once you buy it, it will be your lifetime amp!

[Ajani]

If I pay over 10K, it better be my lifetime amp!

[nightflier]

Yes, but is this legit? More importantly, why eBay?

[Geoffcin]

Yes, but is this legit? More importantly, why eBay?

Without a doubt this is legit, and I think Ebay is a great way to sell it. The only other option would be Audiogon, and that has just a fraction of the coverage that Ebay gives a seller.

[Mr Peabody]

Personally, I wouldn't get excited about anything built by Bob. Another thing comes to mind, what would one do if this amp did need repair? Sounds like most of the parts are old and near one of a kind. Didn't realize Carver dabbled with tubes.

[nightflier]

Without a doubt this is legit, and I think Ebay is a great way to sell it. The only other option would be Audiogon, and that has just a fraction of the coverage that Ebay gives a seller.

I'm not so sure "eBay" is helping, here. It kind of cheapens it, no?

[Feanor]

I'm not so sure "eBay" is helping, here. It kind of cheapens it, no?
Isn't Caver really just selling to recoup "hobby costs". I mean, this isn't supposed to be a "going concern" business model.

[Ajani]

"going concern"

Feanor, are you an accountant?

[Feanor]

Feanor, are you an accountant?
I was in a past life. :17:

[Ajani]

I was in a past life. :17:

Ahhh... I see.... I almost never hear someone outside the profession use that term...

[Mr Peabody]

Feanor plays one on TV :)

[Geoffcin]

I'm not so sure "eBay" is helping, here. It kind of cheapens it, no?

No, it doesn't. Certainly Carver has been generating a lot of interest in this particular "one off". I wonder what it will eventually go for.....

[E-Stat]

Just saw this on Ebay and had to do a double take. Hand made by Bob Carver, and sporting enough power to drive any speaker ever made.
Enough power to drive any speaker ever made? Carver is a showman. I'll take a pair of Siegfrieds with quadruple the power myself. :)

rw

[Geoffcin]

Enough power to drive any speaker ever made? Carver is a showman. I'll take a pair of Siegfrieds with quadruple the power myself. :)

rw

You might take them, but you would have to shell out a lot more shekels to do it.

[E-Stat]

You might take them, but you would have to shell out a lot more shekels to do it.
True. Unfortunately, *ultimate* products are usually that way. They would be mated with Odins as well.

rw

[Geoffcin]

They would be mated with Odins as well.

rw

I find that statement disturbing.

[E-Stat]

I find that statement disturbing.
Disturbing? I found the result quite enjoyable. :D

rw

[audio amateur]

Enough power to drive any speaker ever made? Carver is a showman. I'll take a pair of Siegfrieds with quadruple the power myself. :)

rw
Stat, who is the man behind the topology of VTL amps?

[E-Stat]

Stat, who is the man behind the topology of VTL amps?
The overall design began in the 80s with David Manley - Luke Manley's father. You'll note similarities with many Manley Labs amplifiers as well. David's focus tended more towards the pro end while the son favored the high fidelity market which is what caused the company split many years ago. The Manley Neo-Classic amps are very close cousins to my MB-450s. The Siegfried, however, is an evolution of the original circuit design with numerous refinements. Look at the following document to see a pic of both of them (near end).

Manleys (http://www.vtl.com/PDF/Siegfried%20Audio%20Review%20Italy.pdf)

rw

[audio amateur]

Manleys (http://www.vtl.com/PDF/Siegfried%20Audio%20Review%20Italy.pdf)

rw
What's up with the Italien in the pictures? Looking at the pictures the Siegfried (i like the name:)) looks like a beast. I'll need a little time though to read through the whole thing :p

Thanks for the info, it's interesting to learn about these top designers. I was reading about Jon Curl's philosophy at Parasound thanks to the link refering to Sir Terrence in the thread you started at Audio Asylum.

[E-Stat]

Looking at the pictures the Siegfried (i like the name:)) looks like a beast.
Actually, the Wotans were even more of a beast with twenty-four 6550 outputs! It was hearing them that convinced me I wanted a similar amp for myself.

rw