End of an Era
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
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- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am
- Location: Bucyrus, Ohio
End of an Era
Several weeks ago during the first heavy snow and ice storms here in sunny Bucyrus, Ohio I was sitting at the computer reading the forum and the lights flickered in my house. A moment later they steadied then went very bright. Now we have high voltage at our place and voltage swings. It's not unusual. On this day however, when the power went up it NUKED my remaining Lightstar 2.0 and one of my CF amps. The Lightstar sounded like someone had place a pack of firecrackers in it and had lit them off. The CF amp jumped off the stand a bit as 3 power supply caps came off their solder joints.
I ran and pulled plugs but it was too late! The CFamp has no power on the high voltage side of the power transformer and the output transformers have no continuity across them. It ruined all of the power supply caps, no continuity across any of them in the CF amp.
On the bright side, the other CF amp is fine.
My insurance company is working on a settlement.
Bitch of it is I just replaced the processor in my Lightstar pre, it's a doorstop....again....GGRRRRRRRR!
ray
I want to try to buy the pieces for salvage, maybe they can be parted out to save another Lightstar. This SUCKS!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116199683@ ... 748317895/
I ran and pulled plugs but it was too late! The CFamp has no power on the high voltage side of the power transformer and the output transformers have no continuity across them. It ruined all of the power supply caps, no continuity across any of them in the CF amp.
On the bright side, the other CF amp is fine.
My insurance company is working on a settlement.
Bitch of it is I just replaced the processor in my Lightstar pre, it's a doorstop....again....GGRRRRRRRR!
ray
I want to try to buy the pieces for salvage, maybe they can be parted out to save another Lightstar. This SUCKS!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116199683@ ... 748317895/
Last edited by Magnaryder on Wed Feb 12, 2014 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
- Zoot Horn
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Re: End of an Era
Damn,, bummer Ray-- 

- kingman
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Re: End of an Era
Damn Ray...where did you find a new processor for the pre? I believe I'd invest in a power regulator/surge protector.
In reality, it only matters what it sounds like to YOU!!!
- Snoop65
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Re: End of an Era
Sorry about your amps Ray. 

CARVER LIGHTSTAR REFERENCE+SUNFIRE CLASSIC TUBE PREAMPLIFIER+JBL XPL200+MUSIC HALL MMF-9.1+GRADO REFERENCE MASTER 1+Cayin CDT-17a =WOW!!!!!!
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
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Re: End of an Era
This afternoon I'll post a link to pictures of the tragedy.
ray
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116199683@ ... 748317895/
ray
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116199683@ ... 748317895/
Last edited by Magnaryder on Wed Feb 12, 2014 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
-
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
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Re: End of an Era
I would be interested to see , sorry as i can be.
CarverFest: I just go for the arts and crafts
- Chauss
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Re: End of an Era
Sorry for your loss Ray......irreplaceable- (is that even a word?)

Good sound—like good music, good wine and good fellowship—is meant to be shared.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits" Albert Einstein
Re: End of an Era
Wow...sad story Ray. Hope some something better turns out with the Lightstar.
Very unusual to have an OT open. Almost never. But with it at least you can get parts and fix it up.
I would guess that a higher voltage line laid over onto another or something. That's when things can get radical. I would be worried for the other sensitive stuff in the house. Like microwaves and washers and so on. Lots of other stuff in a house are more susceptible to electrical issues than our stereo stuff is.
Let us know how the fix up goes.
Mark
Very unusual to have an OT open. Almost never. But with it at least you can get parts and fix it up.
I would guess that a higher voltage line laid over onto another or something. That's when things can get radical. I would be worried for the other sensitive stuff in the house. Like microwaves and washers and so on. Lots of other stuff in a house are more susceptible to electrical issues than our stereo stuff is.
Let us know how the fix up goes.
Mark
I was there "At the Fest!" Hope you were too!
Re: End of an Era
Ray, I'm so very sorry. I know you really loved that Lightstar.
Don't give up hope. The Bobfather may be able to help at CF14.
Don't give up hope. The Bobfather may be able to help at CF14.
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
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- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am
- Location: Bucyrus, Ohio
Re: End of an Era
Thanks guys! What a mess. Everything but the 3 amplifiers and my new TV were plugged into surge protection. TV wasn't on. I had the Lightstar running from the balanced outs and the CF amps running from the RCAs. Just switching back and forth playing around, listening for differences. Then Bang!!
ray
ray
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Re: End of an Era
So sorry to hear Ray.
engtaz
Carver M4.0T in front channels to Caver AL VI's in SACD & 2 Channel setup
C 16, PT 2400, Slim Device, Carver TX-8, 490T and Rega TT w Grado Gold cart in the 2 channel setup
Bogen SRB20 is computer amp
Carver PM-350 donated for youth church use
Carver M4.0T in front channels to Caver AL VI's in SACD & 2 Channel setup
C 16, PT 2400, Slim Device, Carver TX-8, 490T and Rega TT w Grado Gold cart in the 2 channel setup
Bogen SRB20 is computer amp
Carver PM-350 donated for youth church use
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
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- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am
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Re: End of an Era
Wednesday afternoon my first replacement piece is to arrive. It's a bit of a departure for me. Stay tuned. Pics WILL follow.
ray
ray
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Re: End of an Era
Sorry to hear about your tragedy! I hope the insurance company took care of you.
Living room system: TGP IV, TX-8r, TD-1400, PT-2400(x6), PM-1.5a(x3), TFM-45(x2), TFM-55, Silver Amazings Mk IV
Spares/projects: C-9, M-400, PM-350(x2), M-1.5t(x2), PT-2400(x2-1/2), PT-1800(x4), TGP I, Architectural True Sub, pm420
Spares/projects: C-9, M-400, PM-350(x2), M-1.5t(x2), PT-2400(x2-1/2), PT-1800(x4), TGP I, Architectural True Sub, pm420
- Magnaryder
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
- Posts: 2992
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am
- Location: Bucyrus, Ohio
Re: End of an Era
I'm going to document this incident for all of you on this or another thread. It's been a fiasco. My insurance company is clueless about hi-end audio. My issues started well over a month ago, without resolution until this point. This weekend I'm taking the gear to Tom Z at Vintage Hi fi of Pittsburgh so he can evaluate the damage and give them an estimate of damages or cosat of replacement. How do you replace 2 Lightstar pieces? Beg? Borrow. Plead? I dunno. Maybe my insurance company will get it together and send this kind of claim to a reputable repair shop in the first place to streamline their claims process.fill35U wrote:Sorry to hear about your tragedy! I hope the insurance company took care of you.
on the bright side I found a little solace when this showed up today.
Montgomery Scott on/ "There be tubes here Captain"/Scotty off
http://www.flickr.com/photos/116199683@ ... 587069563/
maybe my luck is turning around
ray
Magnaryder
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
"Racing is life, the rest of the time you're just sitting around."-Steve McQueen
Re: End of an Era
Ray
Sorry to hear that your insurance is f**king you around, hope it gets worked out real soon.
That EAR looks real nice all those 12AX7 PSvane tubes
Enjoy it Brian
Sorry to hear that your insurance is f**king you around, hope it gets worked out real soon.
That EAR looks real nice all those 12AX7 PSvane tubes
Enjoy it Brian
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Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge
Devialet 440PRO Mono Blocks
Audioprana SP/DIF-AES/EBU cable
Aurender N100H Music Server
Audioquest Diamond USB cable
B&W 803D3 Speakers (black)
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cables
Raysonic CD-168 CDP (silver)
Carver TX11