Audio - clarity,sound stage, ability to drive most amps,simplicity,astonishing natural and realistic sound.

pops on turn-on, no digital in-puts,display lacks enough info-like volume level

Carver followed the keep it simple route when it came to the Ct-26v. It is a compromise that pays off greatly, this preamp is awesome when it comes to reproducing sound. I mean it is basic with only 4 sound fields, bass and treble controls ,but really what more do you need. I purchased it as a intro to mid-fi, surround sound setup from Circuit City. I've used it to drive different power amps and find that it can compete with the best of them. Don't let it get away from you if you happen to come across one,and you like prologic surround sound.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood,Pioneer,Rotel, Harman Kardon,Yamaha,Sony

Everything about it... Bass, Options, Surround modes, Compatiblility, etc.

Little slow switching to other sound modes...

Great piece of equiptment... although i have not used it for too long.. i do so far enjoy it. It kicked out more bass than my dad's old carver c-1 pre-amp, and pumped some great bass and not to mention sound of from my dad's phase linear 400 model 3 power amp. Sounded great with my dad's JBL L100's, and i still continue to enjoy them. I plan on getting my own equiptment now, and i am buying them now. My next piece is a Carver M-1.0t power amp, which will be a nice addition to my pre-amp. Carver all the way! although usually pricey, makes a great addition to any home theater selection... highly recommended.

//Mike

Similar Products Used:

Carver C-1

This is a Dolby Prologic preamp/tuner. This piece performs very well and addsno coloration to the music..I'm not impressed with the tuner section at all, but
I didn't buy it for the tuner.

I originally purchased the CT-24 as a replacement for my tuner/pre-amp(Technics Quadraphonic and Soundcraftsman ProControl-4 :). It had a very
noticeable switching noise when changing inputs or tuner presets. It
also had quite a bit of bleeding from other inputs - while playing
a CD, switching to VCR and increasing the volume yielded a noisy and
barely attenuated version of what was playing on the CD. Thinking
is was just this unit's problem I exchanged it for a CT-26v ($50 more).
Same problems and more. I'm experiencing some very audible distortion
of dynamic vocals that aren't present when I put my Soundcraftsman
preamp in place. Maybe a poopy power supply or related circuit?
It doesn't have a bad sound stage, but I think that the switching noise
and cheezy rubber knobs are reason enough to consider one of the myriad
Dolby Digital receivers on the market. I'm returning this unit and may
purchase a H/K receiver. If I assume that the problems I am having are
defects and not design flaws (rubber bits and ergonomics aside - I'm
feeling generous) I can sleep at night giving the CT-26v 3 stars.

Sorry guys, but this thing just doesn't sound great... And why should it? You can get it for under $400 and it sounds like it. No S-video, few A/V inputs, and no digital.. The remote is about as spartan as it gets and there's no bass management whatsoever. It makes a good entry level system for those who don't have a lot of money, but I'd look elsewhere if you've got the money.

I just purchased this pre-amp for $250 dollars and it is awsome. I used to havea harmon kardon reciever (avr-40)with a carver 705x premier home theater amp and it just doesn't compare. Payed more money
for the harmon Kardon too. Anyway if have a carver 705x premiere
hooked to this bad boy. If want a sound that is very crystal clear and
especially in dolby prologic it fills the room with such delight
It is a wonderful piece of equipment it has nothing wrong with it except
it could of had a sonic holography button on it but besides that i give
it five stars

I've owned this pre-amp since 1996, I purchased itfrom Sound City. I had one problem with this pre-amp,
about 6 months or so after I purchased it, my right
channel died. I sent it back to Carver and it was promptly
repaired. I haven;t had any problems since. I perceive
this pre-amp to be very clean and quiet, not adding
anything to its inputs. Though it is not hi-fi, only
mid-fi.

Bought it in December of 98 at Circuit City. Paid $349 for a floor model. Really was excited as it was my first entrance into Dolby Surround. Running a Carver 705 thx amp with it. OK, now to the specifics. Tuner section ok, only 16 pre sets, but not a problem, overall sound is great. Movies and music defintely come alive, especially as I am running a true 5 channel amp along with it. 6 outputs allow for upgrading to digital which is a key feature.
Now the downsides. Remote is functional but very limited in its functions. It does offer one great feature in the ability to change the volumes to different speakers. Dolby surround modes are fine, but also very limited Hall, Studio, Dolby are really what you receive. One horrible feature is the annoying noise it makes as it changes between inputs. Not a problem, just annoying.
Overall a solid amp worthy of a 3 or a 4 for what I paid for it.