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• Overview – The Carver CM-1090 Integrated Amplifier, released circa 1986, is a solid state Class AB integrated amplifier delivering high-current output with built-in phono stage and comprehensive tone controls.
• Power & Performance – Rated at 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the Carver CM-1090 Integrated Amplifier offers dynamic headroom and strong low-frequency grip, driving a wide range of loudspeakers with confidence.
• Connectivity & Features – Featuring moving magnet phono input, multiple line-level inputs, tape monitoring, pre-out/main-in jumpers, and full tone control adjustments, it supports flexible system integration for vinyl and digital sources.
• Specifications – Solid state Class AB design, 100W per channel into 8Ω, frequency response 20Hz–20kHz ±0.2dB, total harmonic distortion around 0.05%, damping factor above 100, robust linear power supply.
• Dimensions – Approximate dimensions are 483 mm wide × 140 mm high × 380 mm deep, reflecting its classic full-width chassis and substantial internal transformer layout.
• Weight – Weighing approximately 14–16 kg, the amplifier’s mass supports stable heat dissipation and power supply integrity for sustained high-output listening sessions.
The S$850 asking price is ambitious, sitting just above the 75th percentile of S$783 for recent Carver CM-1090 listings in Singapore, where the median is S$715. While not a bargain, this price reflects the unit’s good condition and the model’s status as a vintage integrated amplifier often mistaken for a receiver, which commands attention among collectors.
This CM-1090 is well-regarded for its 100W per channel output into 8 ohms and low THD, delivering solid performance for vintage stereo setups. As a original-owner piece in good shape, it offers meaningful upside for enthusiasts seeking a reliable, high-power vintage amp with Carver’s signature sound. If accessories are included and the unit is fully tested, it’s a worthworthy buy for those who value Carver’s engineering legacy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Founded in 1979 in the United States by audio innovator Bob Carver, a physicist and engineer from the Pacific Northwest, the Carver brand emerged from his earlier work at Phase Linear, where he designed groundbreaking amplifiers like the 1972 Phase Linear 700—the most powerful consumer amp of its era. Carver Corporation quickly built on this foundation, delivering hand-crafted amplifiers that combined cutting-edge technology with immense power at accessible prices, revolutionizing high-fidelity sound for everyday enthusiasts.
Carver specialized in power amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated systems, earning acclaim for magnetic field amplification and other proprietary designs that prioritized performance over luxury pricing. The brand expanded into professional audio with Carver Professional in 1984 and home cinema via Sunfire in 1994, while maintaining a core focus on robust, high-output electronics rather than speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Positioned as a populist force in the hi-fi market, Carver brought audiophile-grade power to the middle class, rivaling elite brands at a fraction of the cost and fostering a loyal following among vintage collectors today. Though corporate shifts and the 2024 closure of Bob Carver Corp marked challenges, its legacy endures as mid-tier innovation that democratized excellence, now overseen by Carver Holdings Group.
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