Carver LightStar Reference


I have the chance to this 300wpc amp at a very reasonable price. Does anyone have any thoughts on this unit? Good or bad. How did you like the performance? I appreciate all comments. Thanks
gekko

Showing 2 responses by trelja

Gekko, if the price you would pay is indeed reasonable, I recommend buying the amp. I used to sell these. I was impressed, and that speaks volumes coming from one of this site's tubeophiles. As it stands, I wouldn't be opposed to having one now. I could use it as a subwoofer amp if I didn't use it full range. It's greatest abilities are doing what solid state should do. Providing lots of clean power, the ability to deliver big time current into low impedences, and to take total control over a woofer. As a real world example, in driving a demanding load, the PSB Gold i, it was the only amp I came across that would make that speaker come to life. Not a Sony, the big Adcoms, or even the McCormack amps. Nothing woke the Golds up other than the LightStar. Sound is pure, clean, and crystalline. Not my first choice in an amp(I prefer tubes), but good. If you listen to mostly rock, this is an amp that should make you happy. From what I have seen of them in the field, they are bulletproof. Service shouldn't be difficult, as I think Bob Carver would support them. From the information that was coming down as Carver folded(I left about the same time), and Sunfire remained, the amp is supposedly the same as the Sunfire. In a different set of clothes.
Very diligent followup, Sean. Thank you. I agree, the sound is more neutral than Sunfire in my experience. Clean, and crystalline. I really think you would be impressed by one of the amps in action, Sean. Awe inspiring at times. This amp really puts out.