Price Paid:  $150.00 from small audio shop

Summary:
I bought this amp together with a CT-6 pre-amp/tuner for 300 bucks. (I also use a Carver CD player, Nakamichi deck, and an old but very nice Hitachi turntable). So far I've been very pleased. I initially had some JBL N26's in my bedroom and then moved it to the living room with some Pinnacle Classic Gold Towers. I listen to everything from Saxon to Vivaldi and I've been fairly pleased. I plan to get one more and either bi-amp or bridge them and use one for each channel, whichever sounds best. I love this equipment so far.
I have no problem running out of headroom with this amp, but it's usally loud enough when the lights begin to flicker.

Strengths:
All my friends who have all the "suround sound" and the alleged 8 billion watts per channel crap who think wattage is everything are STUNNED when I tell them this little amp is only 65 WPC. (I love that)

Weaknesses:
None so far

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $250.00 from private sale

Summary:
I currently use two Carver TFM-6cb amps bridged mono through
an SAE 4000 crossover. These amps drive the low end of two
huge ESS amt6 speakers. So far I'm happy with the sound, but
I know it can get better. I use a Bryston 2B to power the high end. I don't think I would try to use the Carver's in
unbridged mode ( 65 x 2 ). Heard it is not to impressive.

Strengths:
size, appearance and sound

Weaknesses:
heat for now.....

Similar Products Used:
Bryston 2B, Rotel RB850

Summary:
I have had two of these for around 5-6 years. I use one for the surrounds and bridge the other for the center. As Ben mentioned, one of my amps also is inactive in the left channel if it hasn't been used for a while. After it warms up or receives a large input signal it runs fine.

As to the sound quality the TFM 6cb is clean, open, and detailed without sounding harsh. Seems to have plenty of power - I have only been able to flicker the overload lights once when listening above reference level no audible effects were heard. Seperate right and left input level adjustments allow you to compensate for closer surround speakers.

If you can pick up one (or two) of these on the used market, it will make a great surround amp. Two complement a stereo amp nicely in a surround system.

Rich

Strengths:
Clean sound, Good headroom for a small amp, Compact, Bridgable

Weaknesses:
Runs a little warm, wont drive inefficient speakers to high levels

Similar Products Used:
Carver TFM 35, Carver TFM 15

Summary:
I had a M400a for 12 years that developed a "buzz" on one side. While trying to clean/fix it, I destroyed it. That was '94. At that time, Carver line had changed (duh!) and el cheapo amp was the TFM-6 (I think?). This amp has served light duty for 6 years with few problems. Main complaint is that left channel is "dead" for several seconds until a loud input sound gets it started. Stuck relay? Once warmed up, it generally works properly. Sound: I've had no complaints. I am not a golden ear. I miss my old Infinity RS-III's, may they rest in peace. Also have had Bose 501-II and most recently '89 vintage Radio Crack Minimus-7's. All have performed well. I miss my old M400a and might snap up one if I saw one used. Allegedly Bob Carver is going to rescue his namesake (they went Chap. 11 in '99), the current lineup at Sunfire is a bit too pricey for my budget. How about it Bob?

Strengths:
Reasonable Priced

Weaknesses:
Some glitches, Co. went bust

Similar Products Used:
Carver M400a

Summary:
Here is a wonderful amp for a great price that has two very innovative features. First are the meters. They are not volume meters per se, but rather indicators of clipping. So as you get the red bar beginning to light, you know that the amp is reaching the limit. THe TFM-6 is very slim and has an unusual looking power transformer inside that is round and flat, kind of looks like something that folks would use to set up UFO pictures. The other neat feature of the TFM-6 is the daisy chain, which it shares with the larger TFM-15 amplifier. This is a straight-through bypass of signal, which opens up many possibilities for additional amps(Which I Do), or on to a subwoofer or even any line source item. This is a feature that other companies should take note of. A few do, such as the B&W ASW subwoofers with their link-out feature, which also has no cross-over action going on. A killer little amp that is rated at 65watts at 8ohms but sounds like a decent 100watts compared to most off-the-shelf receivers these days. Big binding posts on the rear with a bridging feature as well, if you can get two of them and have inefficient speakers. A sweet keeper of a small amp.