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I recently purchased a Carver Pro ZR1000 based on personal recommendations and reading very favorable reviews of digital amps and of the TriPath chip technology which the ZR series uses. I was also convinced, after buying an M-Audio Superdac a few months ago, that pro gear offers all the benefits of brand name "high end" equipment, minus some fit and finish, for a fraction of the cost. At 225 Watts at 8 ohms, the ZR1000 delivers more power and control than much more expensive amps with comparable technology.

As a preamp for the Carver, I purchased an NHT Passive Volume Control. Defeat switches on the ZR1000 allowed me to bi-pass its attenuator controls, and I use the NHT to control the volume. Both the NHT and Carver accept fully balanced connections (I use balanced Apogee interconnects) and I replaced the ZR1000's stock power cord with a Z Cable cord.

After several weeks of burn in, the ZR1000 has revealed a quality of amplification I've not heard before. My immediate impression was how "relaxed" it sounded, with music emerging from dead silence. In addition, there is a total absence of grain, regardless of volume, making for an extremely smooth presentation. The "presence" of the music is entirely convincing, with wonderfully deep bass, lush midrange, crystal smooth treble, and the most natural note decay I've ever heard from an audio system. The amp also manages to resolve subtle recorded details that I was unable to hear before. What most impresses me however is the soundstage: the ZR1000 has an uncanny ability to unbundle instruments and place them in their relative positions well beyond the speakers. A fellow Carver Pro owner aptly describes this as a "sound bubble" that places the listener firmly inside the music. On well-recorded live discs, I am simultaneously in my living room and, with eyes closed, in the audience at the performance.

I don't have extensive experience with amplifiers, but the Carver ZR1000 is exponentially superior to the Sim Audio I-5080 integrated it replaced, and I liked that amp a lot.

Did I mention that I paid $760.00 for the ZR1000 and $150.00 for the NHT? Also, the Superdac at $200 easily bested the $1,100 Monarchy 22B DAC it replaced. As such, I'm a true believer in pro audio gear, and am surprised that it remains virtually ignored by the press. Search the web for any info or reviews on the ZR1000 and you'll see what I mean.

Drawbacks: My NHT PVC/ Carver Pro ZR1000 setup does not allow remote control.

Also, I was initially concerned about the amp's ever-running fan, designed to keep it cool (as pro gear is designed to be stacked in an enclosed rack environment). But I found the ZR1000 runs absolutely cool without the fan, and it's a snap to disconnect. Finally (and not a drawback to me) the ZR1000, although by no means an eyesore, will not win any beauty contests. But I'm sure to get comparable performance from a showroom piece you would have to spend several times the money, and when I'm trading my hard earned cash for audio equipment, it's the sound that counts. The Carver Pro ZR series comes with my highest recommendation.

Product Weakness:	no remote
Product Strengths:	Huge soundstage, deep bass, best amp I've heard

• Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) - DrD 19:15:07 07/18/03 (0)
  In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by mttbsh@comcast.net on July 08, 2003 at 17:47:11:

  In addition to Carver Professional, Tripath chipsets are employed by Bel Canto, AudioSource, a Carver affiliate, ES Labs and Veritas of U.K., and several Japanese mass market developers such as TEAC, and JVC are bringing to market all-in-one players withTripath amps. Blaupunkt has very successfully used Tripath in their new line of auto stereo amps. Tripath also will sell evaluation chipsets for $500, without power supplies, or ancillary circuitry.
  
  

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• Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) - DrD 17:32:48 07/17/03 (0)
  In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by mttbsh@comcast.net on July 08, 2003 at 17:47:11:

  I also own and love a Carver Pro ZR 1000, and agree it is the best amplification I have yet heard, including some extremely high end stuff; Although it sounds neither like SS or tubes, I would have to say it sounds "more" like tubes, SET (IMO), with balls, and does that psychedelic sense of space, of "there-ness" and flow better than anything. Anyone who values holographic imaging needs to try one. I also believe that they work their best run in bridged mono, to give the most they can. This is a very fast, high current amp, with a slightly recessed mid, which makes it perfect for my Coincident PEII. It even makes inferior source components sound better than they have any right to. Passive preamplification strongly recommended here.
  
  

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• Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) - JCC 15:46:06 07/16/03 (0)
  In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by mttbsh@comcast.net on July 08, 2003 at 17:47:11:

  I own a ZR1600 and a ZR500. Currently my ZR500 is with Stan Warren. Stan's evaluation and mine is that these are excellent Amps. They are the best that I have heard at any price. In shootouts with boat anchor size amps, the Carver is the winner. In shootouts with tube amps, the Carver is the winner.

  The difference is phenonmenol. The only problem is from the tears shed by those who spent megabucks.
  
  

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• Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) - Stercom 16:46:28 07/14/03 (0)
  In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by mttbsh@comcast.net on July 08, 2003 at 17:47:11:

  Thanks for the review. As you probably know, Carver Professional amps are made by Phonenix Gold. I have the Audiosource 6.2T which are also Tripath amps made by Phoenix Gold. The sound you describe is very similar to my Audiosource amps. Its the best sound I've had in my system and I've had a lot of different amps over the years.
  
  

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• Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) - toobwacky 22:30:15 07/08/03 (2)
  In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by mttbsh@comcast.net on July 08, 2003 at 17:47:11:

  Thanks for the informative review.

  I've been playing around with some pro gear and agree with you... It provides a lot of bang for the buck.

  What other amp makers are using the TriPath technology... Anyone?
  
  

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  • Bel Canto modifies the Tri-Path chip to good effect in the eVo line (nt) - enzo 08:08:23 07/09/03 (0)
    In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by toobwacky on July 08, 2003 at 22:30:15:

    .
    
    

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  • Nevermind my question... I UTSE.... (nt) - toobwacky 07:26:11 07/09/03 (0)
    In Reply to: Carver Professional ZR1000 Amplifier (SS) posted by toobwacky on July 08, 2003 at 22:30:15:

    nt
    
    

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