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REVIEW: Carver CT-17 Preamplifier (SS)

Model:	CT-17
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$200 used
Description:	Pre-Amp/Tuner, with Dolby Pro Logic Surround & Sonic Holography
Manufacturer URL:	Carver
Model Picture:	View

Review by FRG7SWL on March 22, 2015 at 18:01:23 IP Address: 75.48.6.140

Add Your Review for the CT-17

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It's hard to believe Carver's CT-17 was their second most expensive preamp ($799 retail; C-19 was $999 retail, per Audio magazine's October 1990 33rd Annual Equipment Directory), considering the critical bashing it's endured these last several decades. Which is understandable, because as a stand alone preamp it's fairly neutral yet sonically un-inspiring. However, add an equalizer or sonic processor of choice through its' External Processor Loop, & CT-17s morph into extremely expressive tonal templates. Way back-in-the-day, techs modified gear to personalize it to their specific needs. So Bob Carver the tech apparently crafted an external loop for BBE-n-dbx-n-Dolby et al fanatics to explore their muses through. Relative neutrality, in comparison, really is boring. ... Another interesting CT-17 aspect are the video/audio inputs, which apparently have a different eq curve than either aux, cd, or tape monitor modes. Noticed similar aural anomaly on Carver MXR-130 Receiver's video/audio input, which was replicated from C-1 preamp. ... Although phono preamp complemented Shure V-15 Type IV cartridges quite nicely, moi still preferred Mitsubishi DA-C20's phono preamp. Which shines gloriously through Video 2 audio feed. Whilst C-17 phono preamp elicits hi-fi presentation from Sony ICF-2010. ... Surround Modes are fun to experiment with. Engage Dolby Pro Logic, & surround thyself in nostalgic 90s noir. You'll need the remote control, though, to access all Dolby parameters. In Hall mode, you can enjoy ambiance from Abbey Road to Fillmore East to CBGB to Yoshi's. Simulated Stereo mode gives mono mixes a quirky twist. Turn Surround Mode off, & enjoy external equalizer or processor of choice exclusively. With all three tone controls dimed, it's guilty pleasure in harmonic heaven. Just like with MXR-130, Loudness Contour needn't be engaged. ... Both A.M. & F.M. tuner sections harken back to those daze when radio still reigned supreme (although home theatre was starting to make inroads). Recently read on Carver site that original TX-11 tuner, which was included in MXR-130, was designed to replicate Marantz 10B tuner. CT-17's audio in both A.M. & F.M. mode is cleaner-n-clearer than MXR-130's, whose topology was half-a-decade older. F.M. sensitivity-n-selectivity is bettered only by Sony's now extremely collectable XDR-F1HD (CT-17's F.M. selectivity could benefit from I.F. filter mod for those brave souls with steady hands & eagle eye sight). A.M. reception requires A.M. loop antenna, as end-fed straight wire will cause front end overload. Fidelity is exemplary, akin to early 70s Marantz or Realistic receivers. ... Oh yeah, there's Remote Amplifier Output. Which is a second independent preamplifier. Only without tone control access. Damn near perfect for a straight-wire-with-gain aficionado. There's also Rear Surround Channel outputs for proper Dolby Surround, along with a Center Surround output for dialog and/or subwoofer presentation. CT-17s run unusually hot for preamps, so provide adequate ventilation. ... Carver's CT-17 probably wasn't meant to appease cork sniffers. Especially in stock mode. But add a BBE Sonic Maximizer, dbx expander, Dolby outboard processor, or equalizer or processor of choice through External Processor loop, & you'll have a fairly robust control center for auld skool audio & video presentation. ... Rolling Stone had an ancillary publication in 1982 called The Record. Chip Stern wrote an audio column about "Hi-Fi Without Fear: The Weakest Link" in the July '82 edition. Wherein a friend-of-a-friend's dad had spent $80 Grand on a super stereo system, which included Infinity Reference Monitors. Instead of being blown away, he was bummed because he heard limitations inherent in the medium being played. Which back then were tape-n-vinyl. With a decent outboard processor, a similar scenario is possible via CT-17. For roughly $79,000 less!!! ... 73s para Sactown

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Product Weakness:	Needs External Dynamic Expander or Equalizer in External Processor Loop for exemplary performance; F.M. Tuner could benefit from I.F. filter mod; Remote Control a necessity; Runs rather hot for preamp, so provide adequate ventilation
Product Strengths:	Commendable AM/FM Reception; Dolby Digital for auld-skool home theatre presentation; Sonic Holography enhances Hafler Surround Sound Experience; Hall Ambiance Enhancement for Abbey Road to CBGB to Yohsi replication; Simulated Stereo Enhancement for quirky mono mixes; Second pre-amp accessible via Remote Amp Output

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Carver MXR-130
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Mitsubishi DA-C20
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon DCM-450; Dual 504
Speakers:	Mesa/Celestion Black Shadows
Cables/Interconnects:	Calrad
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Blues, Boogie, Classical, Jazz, R & B, Rock, Bop to Pop to Hip Hop & Beyond
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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