lightstar help

I have a carver lightstar reference 2.0 amp. It performed well the last
time I used it 2 years ago. However I suspect it may need to be recapped.
I cannot ship it since the transformer mounting came loose the last time I
shipped it, and I believe that it would do so again, destroying the
amplifier. Do you have any sugeestions as to how this could be serviced?
I live near chicago. I am not handy with a soldering iron but I could
probably recruit someone who is. I might have the scematics for the amp
lying around, if not any idea where I could find it? Thanks


I sent a note to rich and he suggeste rita in washington, but I don't want to ship the amp as the transormer may fall out. It was working well. By the way if anyone wants to trade for the ref1 let me know. I might drive down for it.

Forgive my blunder but can you fix the transformer mounting first for all Heaven's Sake? It'll short something out sooner or later when u move it around. Nothing should be lose inside an amp since there is a potential for fire hazard or at least disastrous if a short would occur.

From what I heard, Lightstar amps are precious so I wish you good luck fixing it.

Welcome rgcards.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7093
call them about it.

Sorry, I was unclear. I was able to fasten the transformer back down; It is no rolling around in the amp. However, the "donut hole" in the center of the transformer is filled with a platic and the mounting bolt goes through this material. As far as I can tell the transformer is held to this plastic with just friction, or perhaps weak glue that eroded. In desperation I just shoved the plastic back in the hole and it held fine. I then bolted it back down and turned on the amp. I played without problems for two years. However I think the vibrations form a long truck ride might knock it loose again. The amp works fine, and I don't want to risk breaking it for preventive maintenance. I could just take the transforme out and ship it separately if I could be sur who ever got it would reinstall it appropriately. I also herd from someone at sunfire that transforme is irreplaceable and fairly delicate, if any of thinsulation is cut the amp becomes useless. So local expertise would be best. I migh call rita and ask her what to do.

RG

First and Foremost - BIG WELCOME to the Carver Forum Where good folks hang out.

I apologizes if I misinterpreted your first post. It seems like something had broken off during the previous shipping and I wouldn't ship with the transformer in like that if there is a chance it could get lose again transit and damage circuit boards. If you remove the transformer and pack it very well, I think it can be shipped.

But if you call Bob's and Rita's Shop, their phone number was posted wrong on the first page. I believe the correct contact number is 425 530 9557.

Hello and welcome to the forum. 425-530-9557 is the correct # and it has been changed to this # on the first post of that linked thread. You can always have another x-nsfrmr made to order if need be and we know where the original supplier is. Be sure to keep us posted on what you end up doing so we can direct future folks that may have this particular issue as to where to go from here.

You have options, we just want to get you the best option. The way to start is by calling Bob's shop and seeing if they can do anything for you. Another option would be to call Rolland, as he might [no promises] have an extra one lying around. Good luck and again, welcome to the forum.

PM SENT

Atta boy.

Sorry, I was unclear. I was able to fasten the transformer back down; It is no rolling around in the amp. However, the "donut hole" in the center of the transformer is filled with a platic and the mounting bolt goes through this material. As far as I can tell the transformer is held to this plastic with just friction, or perhaps weak glue that eroded. In desperation I just shoved the plastic back in the hole and it held fine. I then bolted it back down and turned on the amp. I played without problems for two years. However I think the vibrations form a long truck ride might knock it loose again. The amp works fine, and I don't want to risk breaking it for preventive maintenance. I could just take the transforme out and ship it separately if I could be sur who ever got it would reinstall it appropriately. I also herd from someone at sunfire that transforme is irreplaceable and fairly delicate, if any of thinsulation is cut the amp becomes useless. So local expertise would be best. I migh call rita and ask her what to do.

RG

You should have received a reply from Bob Carver at Rita's repair shop by now; if you follow his packing instructions it'll arrive fine; his flat fee is fantastic and it'll cover whatever is wrong.

Thanks for all the help. When I first had the problem I called Roland about getting a tranforme, and as I recall he doesn't have any. He was the one who told me to shove it in , so to speak, and of course that worked. Mr Carver di e-mail, whic is unprecedented in my experience with high end companies, especially as he is charges are so reasonable. I will probably e-mail him back about shipping the transformer seperately , because I think it will come out. But mainly I wnted to sy thanks so much to everybody.

The reason I want to ressurect the lightstar is I recently got some full range electrostats. I have a musical fidelity trivista and I used with my old BG radia 520's. It sounds fine and looks great. But the electrostacts dip down to 1.5ohm and I think the lightstar would really make this sing. My wife hates the look, but if she can hear the difference I think I can make it fly.

RG

.....I will probably e-mail him back about shipping the transformer seperately , because I think it will come out. But mainly I wnted to sy thanks so much to everybody......RG

You could probably take the top lid off, lay down some solid expanded polysterene foam (garage insulation) around the transformer to wedge it into place when you put the lid back on. That would hold it in place during transport.

Very good advice Rich.

Rich, I remember way back that we custom packed odd shaped stuff by covering it with plastic sheeting big enough to mold around it and just past the box edges, then using some self expanding foam (like the stuff sold in spray cans to fix air leaks around windows) to fill the cavity between the plastic and the top of the box and finally putting a second sheet of plastic on top so the foam couldn't get in contact with anything else. Solid, crushproof custom fit and cheap. Better than foam sheeting, packing peanuts or even bubble wrap.

"rgcards", welcome to the forum. I hope you get your Sunfire amp issues all worked out--Carver/Sunfire and electrostatic speakers is a GREAT combination!

You said in your post that you recently got some "full range electrostats". I assume you mean something other than your BG radia 520's, becasue technically BGs are not electrostatics, they are "planar ribbon line source" speakers, and use a similar driver that is used in the Carver Amazing loudspeakers...

So please tell us, what did you get? Martin Logans? Acoustats? Some of the new Saunders 'stats? As a Martin Logan owner, I'm always curious about what other electrostatic speakers Carver/Sunfire fans have paired with their gear.

Welcome, and please, let us know what other gear you're running, and if you can post pics. We LOVE pictures...

--Richard

Rich, I remember way back that we custom packed odd shaped stuff by covering it with plastic sheeting big enough to mold around it and just past the box edges, then using some self expanding foam (like the stuff sold in spray cans to fix air leaks around windows) to fill the cavity between the plastic and the top of the box and finally putting a second sheet of plastic on top so the foam couldn't get in contact with anything else. Solid, crushproof custom fit and cheap. Better than foam sheeting, packing peanuts or even bubble wrap.

Obi,
One of the amps I got off ebay was packed that way (usung 'great stuff') except he had enclosed the whole thing inside a solid block of it; I had to cut it out! great idea though