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Restored Carver C-1 Pre-Amplifier (4)25 capacitors replaced. All switches and potentiometers cleaned and lubricated. All functions work fine. Tested over 40 hours Restored August 2025 *** No meets ups or P.O. Boxes***At the heart of the C-1 is a high-performance console preamplifier with precise RIAA phono equalization for moving-magnet and moving coil cartridges, extremely low noise and distortion, high slew rate, wide dynamic range, and a high degree of control flexibility.The built-in Sonic Hologram generator distinguishes the C-1 from all other fine preamplifiers, breaking through the limitations of listening room acoustics and the conventional two-channel stereo medium itself to provide remarkable three dimensional you are there realism, with a sonic image which extends far beyond the loudspeakers in breadth and depth.Specifications:Frequency response: 5Hz to 200kHz Total harmonic distortion: 0.04% Signal to noise ratio: 86dB (MC), 82dB (MM), 96dB (line) Dimensions: 3.5 x 19 x 10 inches Weight: 2.7kg
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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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