Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This 500t worked great until it overheated some years ago and shorted out. I sent it back to Carver in Lynwood ,Washington, in the original box with the correct packaging to be repaired, It was and it was returned to me. When it heats up, it still continues to cut out. Now, and I mean just a few minutes ago, even with a pancake fan cooling the boards, it just shorted out again..The burned spots in the circut boards were jumped across to bypass the burns in them instead of being replaced.. Now I fear the amp is toast....I also have the C-1 Preamp.The first pair of speakers I purchased with the system , I blew up in the first 20 minutes of use.. Now I have a old set of Polks...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I found a Carver M500T coupled with a Carver C1 preamp for sale locally on craigslist for $350. After reading reviews here and on other sites I had to check it out. I brought my trusty old Kenwood KA-9100 Integrated Amplifier along for comparison purposes. (Note: The Kenwood is rated at 95W RMS x2 and was purchased for $160). The speakers used for this comparison were JBL L100T's. I used the Carver M500T to drive the JBL's for my first listening. It sounded really good. Nice sound stage, more than ample power etc. Then I connected my Kenwood and listened to the same track. Compared to the Carver, the Kenwood sounded much more clean and clear. The highs sparkled in a way that would make any audio enthusiast smile. I'm currently looking for a pair of JBL L100T's for my own listening. In Carver's defense, the M500T did make the music sound more warm and analog, but like some reviewers pointed out it didn't sound pure and lacked punch in the high end. In conclusion, I liked the Carver, but it couldn't keep up with an older, cheaper integrated amplifier with 2.5x less power.

Strengths:
Makes CD's sound warm and almost analog
Looks great

Weaknesses:
Lacks punch and clarity in the high end
Unnaturally colors the sound

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Garage sale in MEXIC

Summary:
I must admit I misstreat my system ,M-500t and C-1 but still works great!!!
Best sound ever its pushing my custom build pair of Pionner 10s, pair fo Lanzar 12s and pair of JBL 12s IM telling you its a beauty, hands down just the BEST!!!!!!
I bought this lovely system at a garage sale in MEXICO and thats in PESOSabout $15.00 Dls.

Strengths:
Lots of power, crissp clear sound, and rouged.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
NONE

Price Paid:  $385.00 from eBbay

Summary:
After hearing plenty of raves, I finally decided to pick up my own Carver M-500t and check it out firsthand. I'm well aware of Bob Carver's genious, and his abilities do come shining through on the M-500t. Tube-like indeed, and this is from a guy who has owned excellent (actual) tube amps for comparison. I'm currently using the Carver to power my ADS L2030 speakers, and the listening has been pure enjoyment! (Even through a mid-level pre). After the countless hours I've already put into "auditioning", I continue to hear delicate sounds that had previously gone un-noticed in my CD's. The cool-operating, cool-sounding M-550t has found a good home here, and has made me realize it's been engineered as a great bang-for the-buck amp. Anytime you're lucky enough to buy one under 500 bucks used, do it. You won't be disappointed. Especially if your tastes run close to "tube" sound.

Strengths:
Though I was used to a pricey tube amp previously, the lower-priced Carver M-500t still has so many of the characteristics I was hoping to hear. It's got a great sound stage, warmth without being muddy, alive mids, accurate non-shrill highs, and power is not even an issue, with plenty to spare on the 2030's. I test newer component additions with favorite CD's: (very open recordings): Oystein Sevag, "Link", Loreena McKennitt, "Mask & The Mirror", Sarah Brightman, "Dive", and Delerium, "Semantic Spaces".

Weaknesses:
very very slight glare on mids, although I expect to continue audtioning different pre's in the coming days, and I believe that's where this ever so slight enhancement is coming from.

Similar Products Used:
'Familiar with AR's, Krell, and Atmo-sphere tube amps.

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Hifi Heaven in Green

Summary:
I purchased the M500t power amp new in 1984 along with the Carver C-1 preamp. This amp powers my power hungry 4 ohm AR 58s speakers and the performance for the last 20 years has been flawless. The amp is a thing of beauty and the sound is as good as most modern day amps. The VU meters with light intensity switch is an added bonus. I would recommend this amp to anyone looking for a fantastic quality amp at a very reasonable price. They last forever.

Strengths:
Relatively light weight (26 lbs.)
Beautiful.
Reliable
Powerful

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Carver C-1 preamp