Price Paid:  $150.00 from pawn shop

Summary:
I simply cannot heap enough praise onto Bob Carver’s stuff. I have had the CT-Seven for about four years, and I love it! I am currently only using the tuner section, for I also have a C-4000 Carver pre-amp, and as long as it continues to work it will be my main pre-amp. The CT-Seven also gives me redundancy, so if the C-4000 bites the dust I am still in business.

I find that I am listening to FM broadcasts more than I ever have before. This is because of the smoothness of the unit, for I never experience listener fatigue. In San Francisco, the air is full of just about every kind of rf interference possible, but I can usually get a very good signal. I am also surrounded by very tall buildings with multipath generating steel framework, but still the signal is very clear. As in most cities, the local classical station does not have the tremendous output of the rock stations, but I am still always able to tune in precisely using a simple dipole antenna.

The Sonic Holography of the CT-Seven probably works as well as on the C-4000. It also has a midrange tone control which is handy for enhancing FM broadcasts. Controls are simple, but since it does not include the Peak Unlimiter or Auto Correlator, its versatility does not match the C-4000. Mine is a tri-amped system, using the Carver DPL-20 as an electronic crossover.

Strengths:
Simple and accurate

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none!

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer RT-909 R to R Tape Deck
Pioneer CT-F1000 Cassette Deck
Phase Linear 8000 II Turntable
Carver C-4000 Preamp
2 Carver M1.0t Power Amps
Carver AV-64 Power Amp
Carver SDA-360 CD Changer
2 Pair Stax SRX Electrostatic Headphones
2 Vandersteen B Main Speakers
BSR 15" Subwoofer
Pioneer Center Channel
2 Polk Monitor 7 Rear Speakers

Price Paid:  $0.00 from ebay

Summary:
I have had many pre-amps and costly ones at that! Adcom,Hafler,Bogen,Phase Linear to name a few!I have to admit this is an awesome sounding pre, the phono section is fabulous! the sound staging is clear and precise controls are easy to use,talk about good looks too, Man!!

Strengths:
Tight bass, mid range control and loudness button are always nice! its a great pre-amp w/lots of ac outlets,holography is very kool!

Weaknesses:
The remote control is the right size but they placed the function buttons in the wrong place for me! Thats it!

Similar Products Used:
(2) M500t amps "WOW,WOW" Keep your Krell and other "HIGH" dollar amps!!ESS monitors (flagships) 2 Yamaha PF 800 turntables w/v15 III mm and Signet mc cartridges Knu Koncept twisted 8 guage wires MAD (

Price Paid:  $220.00 from Ebay

Summary:
This is an older product that still sounds great....IMHO. Setting up my speakers correctly to take advantage of the Sonic Holography did take a little bit of time but it was well worth it. My only complaint was that it is possible to set up your speakers to make the sound stage to big......making some tracks sound "unrealistic". On one Jazz track it sounded like the Sax's were positioned in a balcony slightly behind me while the other instruments were positioned normally on stage. It sounded cool the first couple of times but became annoying after awhile. After repositioning my speakers this problem went away and the sound stage is now consistantly wide and realistic.

Other components used in system:
Carver TFM 35X
Marantz DV-7000 as transport
Cal Audio Sigma II DA converter
Magnepan MG10 loudspeakers
NHT SubOne

For the ratings:
Value:5stars=giant killer......maybe a bit much but considering it can be bought from ebay for reasonable $$ makes this a great value.

Strengths:
Cool Sonice Holography. Funky Looks(Retro Silver Face Plate) Great Detail.

Weaknesses:
Some people may consider is a bit bright. Funky Looks(Retro Silver Face Plate does not match my other components.....still looks cool though)

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha. Nad 370 integrated.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from audioreview classifieds

Summary:
I recently upgraded from the Carver Receiver to a Carver TFM-35X power amp and the CT-7 preamp. What a difference! The CT-7 is a very clean, precise pre-amp with a wonderful phono section. I had almost abandoned listening to my LP collection with the old receiver because they sounded so lifeless and noisy compared to CD's. Since picking up the CT-7 I've literally gone back through my favorite LP's and heard things I'd never heard before.
The highs and lows are much cleaner and better defined than the Carver Receiver while the midrange is a little more laid back. The remote makes the CT-7 a breeze to use and the sonic holography adds more space and a wider soundstage especially to jazz and orchestral sources. It's a great match for the warm, rounded sound of the TFM-35X which together really make my MMG's sing.
Most of all I love the classic design of Carver's products from their heyday. While these units are from two eras in CArver design, they represent the highpoints of each design style. While the tfm-35x hails from the serious machine yet funky, Frankenstein era of Carver amps, the CT-7 is the epitome of elegance with its titanium finish, easy to use buttons and LED bars that read clearly from across the room.
A great product from a great audio designer.

Strengths:
Fantastic phono section, sonic holography, clean precise and extremely quiet, classic early Carver design

Weaknesses:
Slightly bright with digital sources

Similar Products Used:
The Carver Receiver

Summary:
Let me stress that overall the unit ,which was purchased in 1989 , was the best Carver had to offer. The CT-17 didn't come out til later that year and I wished I would have waited. I do honestly think that the CT-17 Carver Dolby Pre-Amp was the best that Carver made.
The Ct-7 has all of the functions you come to expect from Carver. ACCD,Sonic Holography,and inputs that hook into to your hearts desire. The thing that I like most is the overall simplicity of the unit. The buttons and features are very user friendly and cometically it is uncluttered and elegant. If you are looking for an upgradable mid-fi pre-amp/tuner this is definitely one I would recommend.

Strengths:
Ease in use, value and above all true excellent craftsmanship. I have had this unit for 8 years with NO problems.

Weaknesses:
Wish it had a lighted volume dial like the CT-17. I have a DPL-33 S.S Carver processor hooked up to the tape loop, but the unit is not extremely HT compatible.

Similar Products Used:
Carver C-1 Pre-Amp ,Carver CT-26 Receiver(didn't like)