CARVER VTA180M Cherry Tube Monoblocks (one pair)

The Carver Cherry 180 Mono Block Amplifier was designed to drive the most demanding speakers and features a high impedance input, an automatic DC restorer circuit, a "set and forget" bias adjustment, and low idle current which greatly increases output tube life. It has an ultra-wide bandwidth output transformers with interleaved windings capable of the most nuanced voice as well as huge peak output capacity. Selectable feedback control allows the user to change the sound of the amplifier from vintage classical to modern contemporary.

From a listening perspective this amplifier provides a warm, rich sound with a sumptuous and enveloping sound stage, a great front to back depth of field, and very tight, pin-point imaging within that larger acoustic space. A special current feedback circuit allows the amplifier to “listen to the room” via feedback from the speakers acting as microphones (using the law of reciprocity). The room-speaker-amplifier interaction provides a sense of believable ambiance and acoustic space that is thoroughly realistic and quite enjoyable. Additionally, the transformer output impedance allows the signal to follow the impedance curve of the speaker system, allowing more voltage to be delivered to the loudspeaker at very low frequencies – providing an exceptional and satisfying low end response.

Bob Carver says: "We are a vacuum tube amplifier company. We design and build high-quality, great-sounding vacuum tube amplifiers in the U.S.A. We will build these amplifiers with our bare hands, the old-fashioned way - using the highest quality components available with point-to-point wiring, no circuit board traces, no surface mount components nor de-pluggable connectors. Our products are built to last a lifetime and be serviceable 50 years from now because we chose to build them this way, one chassis at a time."

"The Carver Cherry 180 represents, in my book, one of the most exciting high-end product launches in recent memory. In fact, let me go even further: its high-power performance catapults it to an exceptional category - one of the most significant tube amplifiers of the past 60 years! The introduction of the DC restorer circuit redefines and expands the potential of a pentode type Class AB tube amp ...furthermore, it's price tag makes it look like a bargain in a world populated by super expensive amplification. Highly recommended, and I dare say, you'd have to be crazy or stupid not to give it a listen."
- Dick Olsher, Enjoy The Music, May 2012

From a Stereo Times review: "Part of reason the Cherries were able to sound so good with a wide range of speakers is the built-in adjustments that Bob Carver provided with the amps. Options are always a nice thing in the stereo domain. After all, a system’s satisfaction is largely a function of how the various parts interact with each other. In other words, synergy is everything. Optimal synergy was more easily attained with the Cherries, because of the flexibility built-in, which allows you to change the sound to suit your listening preference. There are basically two ways to tweak the sound character of the amps on the fly. First, simply flick a switch to change from the Classic mode to the Modern mode or secondly by adjusting the bias setting. The Classic mode provides that old school sound of vintage tube equipment, albeit with more robust dynamics. While the Modern mode leans toward the current crop of tube amps, with a tighter less laid back character. The bias is controlled for all output tubes by a single small knob on the back of the amps. So adjusting bias and the related sound character of the amp takes a few seconds. A tad more bias tightens things up a bit and backing it off brings out a more euphonic laid back character, similar to the Classic mode. So you get the picture here… essentially there are two simple ways to tweak the sound to your preference.

I found that my favorite settings on “the switch” and on bias changed a bit with the music I played and the speakers I used. But, once I set both, I generally did not mess with them too often. I generally tended to go for a more laid back presentation using the Classic mode and bias toward the lower side of the equation (a smidgen below 100). But, if a CD needed to be tightened up a bit, a mere flick to Modern or a bit more bias generally achieved the desired result. If you prefer a more laid back presentation for older edgy sounding CDs a switch to Classic and you are in business, or simply back off the bias, or a bit of both. Easy as pie.

In the end I found the review of the Cherries to be more like a musical listening experience than an equipment review. So drawn in was I to these sweet sounding amps, that I just wanted to listen and listen. With a smooth and engaging character and beautiful midrange to die for, all the vocals were just a pleasure to behold. I kept on pulling out my collection of male and female vocalists to see what each would sound like on the Cherries.And they all sounded amazing. If your preference is for warm, rich vocals with a sparkly top end, just drop in some vintage Telefunkens into the 12AX7 sockets and you are there, even with the stock tubes in the other positions.

The Cherries also simply sounded great with a wide range of speakers from the most demanding to the most efficient. But, in the end my preference was definitely mating the Cherries with my vintage Quad ESL 63s. A match made in heaven.

If you tend toward the more dynamic end of the spectrum, you have the flexibility of switching to Modern mode and upping the bias a bit to get a more dynamic/articulate presentation. If your mood changes, the Cherries are like chameleons that can adapt to your preference of the day. Not a bad option to have at your fingertips. If you have the opportunity, give the Cherries a listen. It will be an experience that you likely won’t soon forget."

SPECIFICATIONS:
Number of Line Inputs: 1

Input impedance: 100 k ohms

Input Stage: 12AX7 current sourced long tailed balanced pair

Pre-driver Stage: 12AT7 current sourced long tailed balanced pair

Automatic DC Restoration: 6AL5

Nominal Voltage Gain: 30 dB (into 8 ohms)

Output Stage Configuration: 3 complimentary sets of KT88s in a push-pull configuration (6 total)

Regulated Screen Supply Voltage: 360V

Output tube plate voltage: 725V

Output tube Idle Power: Less than 10W each

Bias Adjustment: Rear panel pot, front panel meter, set and forget

Rated Power: 200 watts into 8 ohms, 230 watts into four ohms, 215 watts into two ohms

Noise: Better than 110 dB A Weighted referenced into 180 watts

Frequency Response: 2 Hz to 85 kHz. Without filters

Full Power Bandwidth: 24 Hz to 28 kHz. Without filters

Feedback Control Switch: 20dB for Vintage Amplifier Sound, 11 dB for Contemporary Amplifier Sound

Distortion: Less than 0.5%

Output Transformer: Interleaved windings, super wideband low leakage inductance design

Output Impedance: 1.3 ohms

Speaker outputs: 2, 4, and 8 ohm terminals

Built in Output Tube tester

Construction Method: Point-to-Point hand wired axial and radial leaded components with star grounds and no circuit board traces or de-plugable connectors.

Components: High reliability wire wound and metal film resistors, Metal polyester capacitors in the audio signal paths

Weight: 84 pounds for a stereo pair, 42 pounds for each monoblock chassis

Dimensions: 12.5" width x 7.75" height x 17" depth

Color: Cherry Red with Champagne Trim

Country of Origin: United States of America

Warranty: Chassis - 7 Years (from 2012)

CONDITION: amplifiers inspected under a bright light, other than the customary faint swirl marks in the high-gloss finishes on the amps, no noteworthy blemishes were noticed but rated 8/10 to be conservative. Hardly any use in a secondary system in a home office. Listing is for one pair of monoblock amplifiers. Stock tubes are included.

Shipping to USA only via UPS ground with signature required - will ship in three boxes (all will be double boxed reflected in the shipping cost), all original boxes and packing included. Flat rate shipping: I will pay any overage and will refund any excess. NO trades, NO Paypal fees.