Carver Audio Lightstar 2.0 Amplifiers
Carver Audio Lightstar 2.0 Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Jun 08, 2008]
Magnaryder
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
This was a great purchase. I bought both the Lightstar Reference 2.0 and the Lightstar Direct Preamp as a pair. They came with the packing in the original boxes. Lightstar is perfect for those of us running Carver's Original Amazing Loudspeaker or any loudspeaker that presents a difficult load. Bass response is phenomenal, better that any other amp I own. Lightstar adds nothing and seems to take nothing away from the performances.
Weakness:
Carver is no longer in business. There is some repair available from Rolland at High-Tech Audio. He can repair the amplifiers but the reapir to the preamps might be limited because the control processor can't be programmed. Features
Customer Service None Similar Products Used: Carver, Krell, Levinson.Sunfire |
[Jul 27, 2004]
dimilino
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Very strong amplifier, very warm sound and sounds like a Mark Levison
Weakness:
none Carver Lighstar 2.0 Excellent amplifier, 300 watts per channel, 8 ohms, and 600 4 ohms, and 1200 2 ohms. Runs balances and unbalanced, depending on the depth and stage desired. Similar Products Used: Mark Levison, and Classé |
[Feb 18, 2000]
bruce b
Audiophile
I wish to reinforce all the attributes previous reviewers have said and to add add my experiences with these amps. Yes that is a plural. I own a pair! It was with pockets of money I set out traveling the west coast, in March of 1999, seeking to buy the ultimate stereo system and stay married at the same time. Products reviewed were all the big names we all know. Being a true bargin hunter also I couldn't help myself when I came upon a dealer with two Lightstar Ref amps in unopened boxes, I smelled a deal here. With plastic in hand I said $3500. for the two, with warrinty. After brief consultation between salesman and owner we were packing them to the waiting pickup. |
[Sep 12, 1998]
Dan lini
I just got the new Carver lightstar Amp for 2,500$. I must tell you, this Carver lighstar, is an amazing Amp and is superior to the old carver amps. I Also Have the Caver M1.1 Amp. which has a very warm sound, but it lacks in the midrange Detail is definitely lacking in the M1.1. The new Carver Lightstar fixes all that. It has a nice warm sound, with a great midrange. It sounds very transparent. The Bass is also very tight. This Amp is my opinion, is as good as Solid state could be. I also have a Mark Levinson 23.5 Amp and the Carver Lightstar is just as good. Go look at my review of my Infinity Epsilons. Its in the Infinity Beta section of Audio Review. I'm using the Lightstar and 23.5 on my Epsilons. I give the Carver LIghtstar the highest praise. |
[Oct 18, 1998]
Dan Lini
an Audiophile
On the First review i did. They spelled Carver wrong for the Carver 1.1 Amp I have. They spelled it Caver. It should be Carver 1.1 Amp. As i said, The Carver 1.1 Amp has a very warm sound. But the midrange and Detail is definitely lacking. The new Carver Lightstar has a nice warm sound, with a great midrange and nice detail. The Lightstar gets 5 stars |
[Jun 10, 1999]
Lowell Hallman
an Audio Enthusiast
I agree with previous reviews posted as far as the Lightstar TWO is concerned. I have it tri-wired to a pair of Legacy Audio signature III's and it is so sweet!!! |
[Jul 17, 1999]
George
an Audiophile
The original Carver Lightstar Reference is an excellent dual-mono power amplifier (300w/channel into 8 ohms rising to 1200 w/channel into 2 ohms)with excellent build quality (it weighs 72 lbs). It would be nice to be able to turn the power meter illunination down or off though! |
[Aug 06, 1999]
ampzilla
an Audio Enthusiast
The Lightstar Reference amplifier from Carver's Research division. Simply one of the most powerful and musical amplifiers ever created. Don't prejudge this product simply by dismissing it as a run of the mill "Carver" product. For those who are unaware (and most are) Carver handbuilt (overbuilt is more like it) 77 amplifiers under the Lightstar Reference banner. Unlike it's later 2.0 sibling (which were not hand built) the Reference amp is of "Reference Quality" as the name suggests. |
[Apr 25, 1999]
Gordon Mitchell
an Audio Enthusiast
I was a little hesitant when my regular stereo dealer called me stating that I should audition the Carver Lightstar amp and matching preamp. I was a tube gear lover and thought very little of solid state gear, thinking they were edgy and thin. Well, I thought that until I heward the Lightstar- boy was I wrong. Can you say warm? If so, say Lightstar. The amp is wonderfully warm and tube-like. The details are crisp and are there in a non-forward way. I didn't think solid-state could do it, but Carver did.The sound stage is wide and deep and this amp is very transparent. The bass and dynamics are the big featuresw of this amp. The bass! What bass- I got a full octave down into very deep bass territory. Sub-woofers need not apply with this amp. It pumps out 150 amps per channel and can peak at 200 amps. This amp will do things to your speakers that they never dreamed of. Bass is tight and deep real deep! |