Bob Carver Black Magic 20 Stereo Amplifier

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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11575" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bob-carver-black-magic-20-stereo-amplifier/attachment/1-61/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11575" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/174.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>To say Bob Carver is a legendary amplifier designer would be a major understatement. *Without going into historical detail, suffice it to say he has produced a few gems in his day.* And now it’s back to the future, with Carver again producing amps under his own name. *The Cherry 180 (reviewed <a href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/carver-vta180m-tube-monoblocks/">HERE</a>) and the Black Beauty 305 monoblock amplifiers have both received universal praise from reviewers and happy customers alike, for their build-quality, stylish good looks and plenty of power on tap.* But with the $2,100 Black Magic, Carver takes a different direction.</strong></p>
<p>This small amplifier, model designation VTA20S, is finished in black with a “silver-fleck” chassis and brushed-silver trim.* It is outfitted with 12AX7B tubes for the input stage, and a quartet of EL84Ms for the output stage. *According to Carver, the “M” variant of the EL84 was selected because it has a higher plate-voltage rating, allowing for maximum power output within safe operating conditions.</p>
<p>Setting up the Black Magic is amazingly simple. *There is no need to bias the tubes, which is done automatically with one set of speaker binding posts, optimized for a 4-ohm load. *There is, quite interestingly, a volume pot at the top-front area of the chassis. *(More on that a bit later.)* I drive the Black Magic with a Rogue Ninety-Nine preamplifier for the bulk of my listening sessions, and in turn drive my Thiel CS2.4 speakers.</p>
<p>After giving the Black Magic ample warm-up time, I’m rewarded with startling clarity, a liquid-smooth midrange and, most impressively, floor-shaking bass. *Carver says that the amp is “conservatively” rated at 20 watts per channel—it definitely sounds more powerful than its published rating suggests.* For my review, I go directly from my Audio Research VS55 amplifier (rated at 50 watts per channel) to the Carver with no immediately discernible decline in dynamic performance, power output or bass quality.</p>
<p>The Black Magic’s imaging specificity is impressive, with little of the “tube haze” surrounding the vintage sound of the EL84 tubes. *The Black Magic easily handles music of any scale, including orchestral crescendos.* The Direct-Stream Digital SACD of Semyon Bychkov conducting Rachmaninoff’s <em>Symphonic Dances </em>is simply ravishing in the tone colors of the strings and woodwinds, and the full impact of the orchestra’s power is there in all its glory. *I am continually stunned at just how much of a wide dynamic swing this little amplifier can muster.</p>
<p>The sublime SACD pressing of the Moody Blues classic album, <em>In Search of the Lost Chord</em>, plays to all the strengths of the Black Magic. *The melancholy melodies and vintage arrangements on such tracks as “The Actor,” “Visions Of Paradise” and the album’s centerpiece, “Legend Of A Mind,” are breathtaking in their majesty. *Lead vocalist Justin Hayward’s voice is a holographic presence in my listening room, and the amp delivers more than enough resolution to hear long-buried recorded details—just the thing you call on a tube amplifier to perform.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-11576" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bob-carver-black-magic-20-stereo-amplifier/attachment/2-58/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11576" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/269.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="406" /></a>Staying with the vintage vibe, the Carver brings sparkle and life to the iconic ’60s recordings by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, from the well-mastered compilation, <em>The Definitive Collection</em>. *The Black Magic commands attention on such classic tracks as “Going To A Go-Go,” “The Tears Of A Clown” and “Mickey’s Monkey.”* The rhythmic incisiveness is top notch, with a keen ability to get a track moving.* This inner detail and delicacy is always a key factor with an amplifier based on the EL84 tubes, and the Carver has the best balance of new- and old- school sound that I’ve experienced in this genre.</p>
<p>Moving on to modern times, U2’s “Electrical Storm,” from<em> The Best of 1980–2000</em> collection, simply rocks when playing through the Carver, which highlights the shimmering acoustic guitars, jagged electric lead lines, throbbing bass line and, of course, Bono’s passionate lead vocals. *On this track, all of the separate elements of the recording are made into an organic whole, providing some rare goose-bump moments.* The remix of “Gone,” from U2’s <em>Pop</em> album, is another standout track providing such moments.</p>
<p>An now, more about the amp’s volume pot I mentioned earlier:* Connecting the Marantz SA-11S3 SACD player/DAC directly to the Black Magic and adjusting the volume level directly from the amp provides additional transparency to the source and bass articulation.* The volume control has an excellent range of attenuation, never going past the 12 o’clock position. *Most modern line sources, like a CD player or DAC, output 2 volts, which is more than enough to power an amplifier with sufficient gain. *For those only utilizing a DAC and multiple digital sources, I suggest eliminating the linestage altogether—the Carver is that good.* However, for those using a linestage/preamplifier, I would leave the volume control at full, effectively taking it out of the circuit.</p>

<p>With the Black Magic, Bob Carver has done it again. *In addition to all of its positive sonic attributes, the Black Magic ships with a seven-year warranty on parts and labor, along with a generous one-year warranty on the tubes.* (Most manufacturers only offer 90 days.) *It is made entirely with point-to-point wiring in Carver’s Kentucky facility.* You can read more about Carver’s manufacturing process <a href="http://www.bobcarver.com/why_we_build_in_the_usa.asp">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>While 20 watts per channel isn’t the solution for every system, a modestly sized room matched with sensitive speakers will deliver a rocking performance using this modern EL84 marvel.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11577" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bob-carver-black-magic-20-stereo-amplifier/attachment/3-51/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11577" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/362.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>Additional Listening</strong></p>
<p>By Jeff Dorgay</p>
<p>Blowing the dust off of my Dynaco SCA-35 integrated amp reveals just how far Bob Carver’s classic design has come. *The vintage Dynaco is a pleasant listen, but switching to the Black Magic, even with vintage speakers like the JBL L26s, is a revelation.* Where the vintage amplifier has loose, flappable bass, the Carver is taut.* An equal paradigm shift is experienced in the upper registers—the HF roll-off that I’ve almost come to expect with this tube doesn’t happen, which is a testament to the quality Carver’s circuit and transformer design.</p>
<p>The only speakers in my arsenal that prove a challenge for this amp with heavier music are the Dynaudios, which have a somewhat low 84-dB sensitivity rating.* Thanks to a single-order 6-dB/octave crossover network, the speakers work well with the Black Magic, as long as not asked to play extremely loud—you can always pick up a second one, if need be.</p>
<p>Much like when listening to a top-notch mini-monitor, the Carver Black Magic excels at throwing a three-dimensional sound space that feels almost like wearing a gigantic pair of headphones.* It also delivers a tonal balance, falling more on the romantic side of the scale.* The Carver is certainly not vintage, but it does embellish slightly—for those using primarily digital source material, this should be a very good thing.</p>
<p>Lastly, to probe the absolute limit of the Black Magic, I insert it in my main reference system while finishing the review of the $120,000 Sonus faber Aida speakers (92-dB sensitivity).* This makes for a great showing, as the little amp is able to control these gigantic speakers incredibly well.</p>
<p>Andre and I agree:* If you’ve been wanting to try tubes, this is the perfect place to start your journey!</p>
<p><strong>Bob Carver Black Magic 20 (VTA20S) stereo amplifier</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $2,100</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bobcarver.com/">www.bobcarver.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Peripherals</strong></p>

<p><strong>Analog source,”</strong>Rega RP6 turntable * *Exact cartridge * *Lehmannaudio Black Cube phonostage”</p>
<p><strong>Preamplifiers,”</strong>Rogue Audio Ninety-Nine * *Conrad-Johnson PV-12

[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bob-carver-black-magic-20-stereo-amplifier/]
 
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