B2000? Reliable?

daveode · #1 10-21-2012, 01:16 PM

I'm wondering now that these amps have been out for a while, Are these B2000's reliable? I want to get either a Good used B1500 or a new B2000. I just want to know what would be best for reliability at high volumes.

Thanks for your time.
Dave

daveode · #2 10-23-2012, 12:57 PM

There's gotta be someone that knows?!

christw · #3 10-23-2012, 01:00 PM

I think the lack of replies is telling. If people were having problems with these amps, they'd be more than happy to share.

**MostlyBass** · #4 10-23-2012, 01:06 PM

My BX500 has been rock solid - even after it vibrated off my cab at rehearsal... Just kept on rockin'.

hdracer · #5 10-23-2012, 01:07 PM

You really don't see any threads about that amp having problems.
They sell a lot of them too so I would think it was a reliable amp. I have had a B20 for four years with no problem.

daveode · #6 10-23-2012, 01:13 PM

I Didn't realize that no posts were a good thing! I knew the B1500 is great, Just didn't know about the B2000. I guess I should of Wrote which is a better purchase? a used B1500 for $400-$500 or a new B2000 with case for $780? Thanks everyone for the responses!

BassmanPaul · #7 10-23-2012, 01:44 PM

All of my Carvin amps have given me excellent service. I have two of the older DCM series with toroid power supplies. I also have two Class D amps with the newer SM power supplies and have had no problems with them.

kurosawa · #8 10-23-2012, 02:30 PM

I bought a Carvin DCM1000 over a decade ago sight unseen off the web site. I was pushing an Acme B4 with it so I was using plenty of its power. Great amp, no probs. Their stuff is too good and too cheap to pass up, plus it's American made. I'll probably get another DCM before too long. Dang, look at this DCM3800, 3800w @ 4Ω for $700, that's 18.4 cents per watt, and only 15 lb. If you're worried about recovery times with a Class D, here's their illustration:

nickrs540 · #9 10-23-2012, 02:49 PM

My B2000 is a wondeful amp. It's not really old enough to show how reliable it is yet, but for the 1 1/2-2 years it's been around I haven't had a single problem with it. It's overall a great amp. Super powerfull, great sound, super light, and all at a great price. I got mine in perfect condition used of CL for $500.

kozmikyak · #10 10-23-2012, 02:55 PM

These haven't been out for a really long time, so it's hard to say how long they might last. Mine has continued to give solid service through two Acme Low B2 cabs.

BassmanPaul · #11 10-23-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurosawa

I bought a Carvin DCM1000 over a decade ago sight unseen off the web site. I was pushing an Acme B4 with it so I was using plenty of its power.

That's the one I picked to drive my Acme B2s. They are being pushed by a DCM1000L now and I've felt no difference.

daveode · #12 10-23-2012, 06:45 PM

A B2000 still going for a year or two is good enough for me to decide. I usually push the limits of amps I play. I owned a Hartke 7000 since 1991 and I always clipped it (learned to not go further than 3pre 3master volumes), Always wanted more volume and couldn't. I do know they had there share of problems. I now own a mesa Walkabout. It worked because all venues we were playing had house sound. Sounds great!, But way underpowered for the next band.

The next band I was using a 4 string Bongo stealth into the walkabout, using the DI into a QSC 1602 bridged into a Orange 4X10. this rig worked and I would come close to and touch red line clip all night at some venues. It ran HOT! and was always afraid it would thermal shut down.

My new current band I now use a 5 string Jazz into a MarkBass Compressore/Tech 21 Bass Driver/Peavey BassFex and I use the low B a lot. Well now the QSC red lines at an even lower volume.

I don't want another power amp because it was too much stuff to carry around, so I went on the adventure of finding a powerful bass head that wasn't going to break the bank ($500). So I found out about the B1500. Found a few Used ones at Guitar Center dot com and received it. They packed this 50lbs. amp in a box of peanuts and bent the hell out of the rack ears! Bummer... I tried it, It did sound great but I red lined it quick (pre half way up and master little more than half) at 8ohms, so I switched to the 2ohm jack on my cab and then it was better on the power, but still close to its limit. At the end of practice the outside seemed a bit warm/hot. A lot of ppl say It has tons of power, but it seems not as powerful to me as what ppl claim.

Because I know things can fail when pushed close to limit is 1 of the the reasons for my post.

The other reason is because I ordered a second B1500 after returning the 1st one. When I received the second amp, It looked brand new! But.....it was real buzzy. Something is wrong with the FX loop causing the buzz. Tried exercising the jacks and it's still there. Contacted Carvin about possible repair and they told me they don't support that amp anymore but it can be upgraded. Don't want an amp that's hard to get repaired, So the 2nd amp is going back. I ordered a 3rd amp to give it a "last chance". If this one fails then I guess I will order a new B2000. I just wanted to save as much money as I can and get something reliable cuz I can be rough on stuff!!

Thank you all for the responses!!
Dave

funkingroovin · #13 10-24-2012, 11:37 PM

I don't personally own either one,but I have two close friends that do and from my experience with their stuff(one has the B1500,the other now has a B2000 after Carvin wouldn't back up the B1500) when they're working,they really thump. That being said,when they need servicing good luck! They've each gotten what I would consider pretty poor customer service from such a well-reputed company..

kurosawa · #14 10-25-2012, 08:46 PM

So how old was the 1500 when it bit it? Played hard? Toured? Out of warranty? EMWTK!

cavedweller · #15 10-25-2012, 10:18 PM

I own a b1500,b2000 and a bx500 and like them all. If I could only keep one it would be the b1500,it is a solid amp and i like that it has some weight to it.

funkingroovin · #16 10-26-2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurosawa

So how old was the 1500 when it bit it? Played hard? Toured? Out of warranty? EMWTK!

The first friend's is an old redface?redline?red somethin-or-other that he's had for well over a decade,but it went back twice the first year and almost every 12-18months since.He does tend to play hard and push limits though..Ironically,he just bought my GK1001 earlier today because I wasn't asking much more than shipping/repairs on the Carvin..

The other buddy bought his B1500 used,and had to send it in twice in 5-6 yrs..nothing major,but he had a helluva time getting Carvin to work on it..

::::BASSIST:::: · #17 10-26-2012, 12:21 AM

I guess I'll be the dissenter here. I have read many Carvin amp failures and troubles of the bx500 and bx1500. Ribbon cables needing cleaning etc. I am very tempted to buy a 1540L poweramp, but the Carvin reliability record has me holding back and sticking with my PLX2402.

I also highly seek reliability and big power. A well built power amp such as a QSC or Crown etc seems to offer both. I currently use the Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal as a preamp to my 2402 and it sounds amazing, super nice di and it is a dead reliable rig. Pedals generally can take quite a pounding.

My .02.

daveode · #18 10-26-2012, 12:24 PM

Ok apparently there were issues with the first two B1500's I tried out. This current one (just delivered today)has WAAAAY more power than the other two. I can't get the amp to clip! and I'm afraid if I go any higher in volume (pre 3o'clk Master 12o'clk), my 4x10 cab will blow! This is a good thing for me.

Now I understand what ppl are saying about it having plenty of volume.

With that said....... The first amp was super quiet, the second amp was VERY noisy! Like it has a ground loop issue inside. It would only get lower if I switched the FX loop on? But it still was a very audible Buzzing. This last one I have at the moment has the same issue, but it's a lot lower in the buzzing, and almost as quiet as the first one when the FX loop is on. I noticed that the first quiet amp was a REV. D circuit and the other two noisy amps are a REV. C circuit.

Is there anyone else that experiences this issue? and is it an easy fix for myself to do? I am handy with electronics.

DrumsAndBass · #19 10-26-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I guess I'll be the dissenter here. I have read many Carvin amp failures and troubles of the bx500 and bx1500. Ribbon cables needing cleaning etc. I am very tempted to buy a 1540L poweramp, but the Carvin reliability record has me holding back and sticking with my PLX2402.

I also highly seek reliability and big power. A well built power amp such as a QSC or Crown etc seems to offer both. I currently use the Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal as a preamp to my 2402 and it sounds amazing, super nice di and it is a dead reliable rig. Pedals generally can take quite a pounding.

My .02.

I tried out a B2000 for the 10 day test period. It was a good amp but I did not trust it and so I returned it. I really wanted to like it because of the U.S. made aspect, tone and price. Also, I did not know about the ribbon cable troubles. Since then, I've learned that all 3 BX models have the ribbon cable inside (I called Carvin with that question). I don't know if the B2000 does as well. So is the B 2000 reliable ? It's a gamble. I traded mine for a DCM 2000 which is not the top of the heap for power amps but it's good for now. Come to think of it I did not even ask if the DCM 2000 uses the ribbon cable - but I doubt it does. I've got 3 years to wreak havoc on Carvin if this DCM 2000 goes sour then I'm on my own. To my knowledge they will not service amps after 10 years. They are family run and so there is good and bad with them as a company.

seamonkey · #20 10-26-2012, 03:10 PM

There are retainer clips for ribbon cables. Used all over the electronics industry and in many bass heads. If Carvin isn't using clips they should.