New Carvin Tube Power Amp?

The Dark Wolf · #1 12-27-2003, 04:39 PM

Just got the Carvin catalog today, and sure enough, they now make a 100W (50W Stereo) tube power amp. It uses 4 EL34's and 412AX7's. I wonder how it sounds? Looks pretty cool, shiny chrome face with two volume and two presence knobs. 2 Rack space. About $530... not too bad. What cha'll think?

ScottB · #2 12-27-2003, 07:23 PM

From reading the Carvin message boards, the new TS-100 power amp is being debuted at NAMM along with the new Frank Gambale TN-100 guitar preamp. No sales or product info on the Carvin website yet.

Here's the announcement of the FG / Carvin preamp:

Frank Gambale joins the ranks.
Well over two years in the making, Carvin is very happy to announce the unveiling of the new Frank Gambale signature series guitar preamp. Frank, a true master of his instrument, knows what he needs when he plugs in – Carvin has delivered, with complete tonal navigation over the sonic landscapes Mr. Gambale requires. This Tone Navigator™ will surely deliver anything your heart desires from full on shred to funky clean - with everything in between. Carvin is honored to work with Frank and include him in our list of signature series guitarists with Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai and Craig Chaquico.

This could get ineresting...

CrossingStar · #3 12-27-2003, 07:41 PM

That's a great price. I wonder about features. Like, can it be run in mono which how I'd use it.

reguv760 · #4 12-27-2003, 09:39 PM

Also got the new Carvin catalog today and I was in shock to see the Carvin T100 was revised into the TS100! Not only it looks handsome but the price seems affordable. The matching Tone Navigator Preamp could easily rival with the Triaxis in terms of similar features although the catalog doesn't mention any 12AX7 tubes ???
Now to the TS100... there's a little schematic of the rear panel in the catalog. From what I can understand, there's a parrallel on/off switch near the input 1/2 jacks, and a bridge / stereo switch between channels 1 and 2 for 100W mono or 50w stereo. Another sweet deal is that there's a bias switch for 6L6/5881.

Jeff · #5 12-27-2003, 10:15 PM

Would it have 12AX7s if it's a power amp?

The Dark Wolf · #6 12-27-2003, 11:46 PM

I'm by no means a tube expert, but the Carvin DOES have 12AX7's, and it IS a dedicated power amp. It's in no way a guitar preamp. Just a power amp. And as for the Gambale preamp, yeah, I don't think it uses tubes at all. Looks sorta interesting, but I'm much more of a modeling guy myself. That tube power amp however....

bpd111 · #7 12-28-2003, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

Would it have 12AX7s if it's a power amp?

Yes. Although I can't explain why. My Mesa Boogie 50/50 has three 12AX7s in it.

Chriscec · #8 12-28-2003, 02:37 PM

I'd kinda like to see a legacy preamp

Chriscec · #9 12-28-2003, 02:39 PM

I'd kinda like to see a legacy preamp

Jimi D · #10 12-30-2003, 04:52 PM

I'm pretty excited about the Tone Navigator pre - after all, my JMP-1 + TC Electronics G-Major setup is partly Frank-inspired... I called Carvin today and they said that they're shooting for a mid-January availability, priced at $499... I get the impression it uses analog solid state circuitry a la Tech21 SansAmp to get various tones, and I really want to hear it. I'm getting bored and need another preamp to play with (I only have TWO after all!!)

power freak · #11 12-30-2003, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpd111

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff

Would it have 12AX7s if it's a power amp?

Yes. Although I can't explain why. My Mesa Boogie 50/50 has three 12AX7s in it.

Its a phase reverser (driver) part of a power amp its used to invert half of your guitar signal and put it through 2 power tubes in parralel (only in push pull amplifiers though

) Thats a simple explanation but if you don't understand just ask

Freak