Carver and Tube Life


I’ve been looking at Bob Carver’s statement tube amps, the Siver Seven 700’s.  These massive tube amps designed by Bob  have been around for years and the latest version of his 700’s can now accommodate KT120 output tubes and his best output transformer design.

EACH mono block uses 20 KT120’s! That’s 40 KT120’s total when it comes time to ‘re-tube.’  However, according to his description these KT120’s should easily last “50 Years”.  Is that truly possible???  Can the output tubes really last that long ?

stickman451
John (Roxy54), thank you kindly :-)

Stickman, I wouldn’t want to speculate on the differences that would result between the two amplifiers with respect to soundstage, dimensionality, bass, or pretty much any other sonic attribute. But given that your 305s don’t seem to strain driving the 20.7 I would think that whatever differences the Silver Seven 700s may make would result mainly from circuit differences and parts differences (including the completely different small signal tubes it uses), rather than from the 3 or 4 db difference in maximum power capability in itself.

And likewise with respect to the 30.7, **if** its sensitivity (for which I couldn’t find a spec or measurement) is similar to that of the 20.7, or higher.

Best regards,
-- Al
Doesn't Bob offer not only a 20 year warranty on the amps themselves, but tubes also?  That would really ease my mind.

KT120/KT150 tubes aren't cheap, especially if you have to replace a bunch.

+1 on Al, (he's our treasure), no you can't have him :-)

http://www.bobcarvercorp.com/silverseven700

At this retail price point, they’re a must “try at home” before you buy product for me.  Maybe one day...