Carver SD/A-490t CD player

Our ultra-advanced new SD/A-490t includes two vacuum tubes whose classic design has remained unchanged for over 50 years. We and many other critical listeners believe that this anachronistic addition to an already excellent CD player design significantly enhances its sound.

 

The amplifier that doesn't amplify - Between a CD player's D/A converter and external outputs is circuitry called a buffer amplifier which actually doesn't boost the signal strength at all. Instead, the buffer amp is a unity gain device which increases output current, and acts as a sort of electronic shock absorber, isolating the relatively fragile D/A chip set from the nasty outside world of demanding analog components.

 

Tubes versus Solid State -  More than 98% of all CD players use solid state deivces for buffer amplifiers. A handfull of hard-to-find, esoteric designs in the $1200to2500 range employ one or more tubes instead.  In ultra-expensive preamplifiers and power amplifiers, tube sound is subjectively described as "mellower", "warmer", "more open and natural" or simply "less harsh than solid state". Objectively, it's safe to say that tubes; - produce even-order distortion versus transistors odd-order distortion, particularly 3rd harmonics which are especially unpleasant to the ear; - act as a pure Class A device when used in a buffer stage (Class A outputs is considered the optimal amplifier configuration); - "Round off" the waveform when they clip, while over-driven solid state devices cut off sharply, causing audible distortion.

 

The SD/A-490t's output section - Our new CD player uses two 6DJ8 dual triodes placed between the digital-to-analog converter and a motorized volume control. Operated at less than 30% of their maximum capacity, the tubes achieve a highly linear output voltage with very low static and transient distortion while providing very high dynamic headroom. And because they're "loafing" at ⅓ their rated current capability, the SD/A-490t's tubes are designed to last the life of the CD player without replacement or need for adjustment.

 

An array of features as rich as its sound - We've designed the SD/A-490t to be both useful and easy to use. 21-key front panel or remote programming. Fixed and variable output. Programming grid display. Random "shuffle" play. Variable length fade. Automatic song selection to fit any length of tape. Even index programming for classical CD's. plus our proprietery Soft EQ circuitry which compensates for variables in special (L-R) information and midrange equalization found in many CD's mastered from analog tapes.

 

Specifications

Decoding:  1-bit linear, two channels

Frequency Response :  8 Hz - 20 kHz (+0,2 dB -1,0 dB  nominal)

De-emphasis Error:  +0,5 -1,0 dB Nominal

Output Level at 0 dB :  2,5 volts +_0,5V

Harmonic Distortion:  0,25% Nominal

Signal-to-Noise Ratio  104 dB Nominal

Channel Separation(EQ Off / On):  88 dB / 17 ±1,5 dB Nominal

Channel Balance at 1 kHz , 0 dB:  ±0,5 dB Nominal

Wow and Flutter:  Unmeasurable (quartz crystal accuracy)

Power Requirements:  120 V or 220 V 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  30 W

Dimensions (W x H x D):  483 x 96 x 311 mm (19 " x 3,8" x 12,25")

Net Weight:  4,5 kg (9,941 lbs)

 

Carver MXR-130 The Receiver

 The Carver Receiver

When Bob Carver designs a receiver you can be sure it is like no other. To give you the power you need for today's recording advances plus virtually noise-free stereo FM reception. Carver has designed a receiver with astonishing performance. This extraordinary instrument incorporates two of the high fidelity art.'s most advanced technological breakthroughs: Bob Carver Magnetic Field Power Amplifier and his Asymetrical Charge Coupled FM Detector.

With the Carver Receiver you command 130 watts per channel and fully digital quartz synthesized AM-FM stereo tuner through a highly sophisticated and meticulously engineered premplifier section.

 Live music is full of lighting-fast transients, combinant crests of demand created by multiple music waveforms and high intensity peaks. To reproduce the full sound of the music now made possible by the most recent recording advances in fine analog recordings and especially Digital Audio Discs, your system needs large amounts of power to accomodate the dynamic range without distortion.

The Magnetic Field Amplifier in the Carver Receiver gives you 130 watts per channel of pure clean power so you can truky appreciate the music.

The technological elegance of the Magnetic Field Amplifier enebles it to produce large amounts of power without the need for heavy heat sinks, massive transformers, and enormous power capacitors required by conventional amplifier design.

Unlike conventional amplifiers which produce a constant high voltage level at all times, irrespective of the demands of the ever-changing audio signal and indeed even when there is no audio signal in the circuit at all the Magnetic Field Amplifer's power supply is signal responsive and highly efficient. It produces exactly and only the power needed to carry the signal with complete accuracy and fidelity.

 The Carver receiver gives you FM stereo performance unmatched by that of any other receiver.

As it is transmitted from the station, the stereo FM signal is extremely vulnerable to distortion.noise, hiss and multipath interference. In fact because of the transmission system in use today the signal to noise ratio of FM stereo has been degraded fifteen times (more than 23 dB).

However, when you engage Carver's Asymetrical Charge Coupled FM Detector circuit, the stereo signal arrives at your ears virtually noise-free. You hear fully separated stereo with space depth and ambience.

You will also appreciate the AM section. Meticulous attention to every aspect of tuner performance gives you an AM section with true high fidelity response. You will not find another receiver with such high performance anywhere.

The Craver Receiver has been designed for serious music listeners who seek fidelity accuracy and musicality.

Specifications

FM Section

System:  PLL Crystal-Locked Digital Synthesizer System

Tuning Range:  87,5 - 108 MHz

Antenna:  75 Ω unbalanced and 300 Ω balanced

Intermediate Frequency:  10,7 MHz

Frequency Response:  20 - 15,000 Hz ±1 dB

Alternate Channel Selectivity:  58 dB

Capture Ratio:  ±1,5 dB

AM Suppression Ratio:  75 dB

IF Response Ratio:  100 dB

Spurious Response Ratio:  100 dB

Output Level (7,5 kHz Dev.):   700 mV, 600 Ω

Usable Sensitivity Mono :

  75 Ω :  11,3 dBf /1,0 µV

300 Ω :  11,3 dBf /2,0 µV

Usable Sensitivity Stereo :

Without Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  34 dBf / 14 µV

300 Ω : 34 dBf / 28 µV

With Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  16,3 dBf / 78 µV

300 Ω : 16,3 dBf / 57 µV

50 dB Quieting Sensitivity Mono :

75 Ω : 16,1 dBf / 1,7 µV

300 Ω :  16,1 dBf/ 3,4 µV

50 dB Quieting Sensitivity Stereo :

Without Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  37 dBf / 19 µV

300 Ω : 37 dBf / 39 µV

With Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  23,5 dBf / 4,0 µV

300 Ω : 23,5 dBf / 8,0 µV

Signal-to-Noise Ratio Mono :

75 Ω :  82 dB at 85 dBf

300 Ω :  82 dB at 85 dBf

Signal-to-Noise Ratio Stereo

Without Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  74 dB at 85 dBf

300 Ω : 74 dB at 85 dBf

With Charge Coupled Detector : 

 75 Ω :  85 dB at 85 dBf

300 Ω : 85 dB at 85 dBf

Stereo Separation (Wide) [Without Charge Coupled Detector /With Charge Coupled Detector]

45 dB / 45 dB at 1 kHz

36 dB / 30 dB at 100 Hz

36 dB / 25 dB at 10 kHz

AM Section

Tuning Range:  520 - 1710 kHz

IF Rejection Ratio:  45 dB

Output level at 1khz:  160 mV ±2,5 dB

Pre-Amplifier Section

Phono RIAA :  ±0,25 dB

Phono S/N Ratio:  50 dB ref. 5 mV

Input  Impedance

Phono:  50 k Ω

Video/DAD:  50 k Ω

Aux:  50 k Ω

Tape 1, 2 : 50 k Ω

Total Harmonic Distortion: 

20 Hz :  0,05%

1 kHz :  0,05%

20 kHz :  0,05%

Frequency Response:  20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0,5 dB

Tone Controls

Bass :  ±10 dB at 100 Hz

Treble :  ±10 dB at 10 kHz

Midrange :  ±6 dB at 1,5 kHz

High Filter:  5 kHz (6 dB/oct) -3 dB point

Power Amp Section

Power output 20 Hz - 20 kHz:  130 W both channels into 8 Ω

THD at Rated Power:  0,05%

IM Distortion:  0,1% SMPTE

TIM Distortion:  Unmeasurable

Frequency Response:  20 Hz - 20 kHz ±0,5 dB

Damping Factor:  60

Noise:  better than 100 dB IHF-A weighted

Power Supply:  120 V 50/60 hz

Carver TL-3200

 Compact Disc Player with Digital Time Lens Circuitry

Carver DTL: for natural sound, and convenient features for added musical enjoyment.

Features

16-bit/8X oversampling D/A circuitry

Dual D/A converters

32-track programming with Delete

Random "shuffle play" and 10-sec intro scan

Also plays 3" CDs without an adaptor

14-function infrared remote with 10-key input pad

Remote volume control

Remote compatibility with Carver receivers

Fixed/variable line output, variable headphone output.

Specifications

Frequency Response: 2 Hz to 20 kHz ±0,2 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion:  0,003% at 1 kHz

Signal-to- Noise Ratio:  100 dB

Channel Separation:  100 dB at 1 kHz

Wow and Flutter:  unmeasurable

Output Voltage [fixed/variable]:  2,0 V / 0 - 2,0 V

Power Consumption:  17 watts

Dimensions (W x H x D):  19" x 3,5" x 10"

Weight:  8,5 lbs

Carver SD/A 410

Features

Linear Single Bit Remote Control Compact Disc Player.

Single bit D/A conversion for accurate retrieval of musical detail.

16-track programming from front panel or random access remote keypad.

3-way repeat. Random "shuffle" play.

Search, skip, scan functions.

Coaxial direct digital output.

Calendar-type display.

Headphone jack.

Specifications

Decoding System:  Single bit

Output Filtration:  Analog / Digital

Frequency Response:  5 Hz - 20 kHz ±0,5 dB

S/N IHF A-weighted:  100

Total Harmonic Distortion:  0,004%

Disc capacity:  1

Programmable selections:  16

Dimensions (W x H x D):  483 x 98 x 295 mm

Weight:  3,2 kg