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I saw this amp offered here for $1300, it looks promising, but I'd like to hear from somebody who has actually used it. I'd love to hear any impressions. Thanks.
Need info on Sherbourn 5/1500 amp
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I've never used a Sherbourn product. I never will. I emailed Ron Fone of Sherbourn several times, asking for info. I have never been treated so rudely by somebody trying to sell a product. BTW, their web site stinks.
If you can't get help before the purchase, can you imagine how bad it will be after the purchase?
If you can't get help before the purchase, can you imagine how bad it will be after the purchase?
This is an excellent product!! I can highly both recommend this unit and also purchasing it through AV Science. I did both and have not regretted it for one second. I got a top quality high end product that is at least equal to if not superior to similar products from ATI, Parasound, and EAD...especially if you add in the cost factor. Just listen to words of Brent Butterworth (highly respected HT editor now with E-Town).
Quote:
This amp works excellently with high end speakers like B&W Nautilus and Aerials. It has lived up to all the info I collected before purchase and even surpassed it!
As for Ron Fone...he has been very considerate and accomadating to me both in person directly on the phone and through email. Remember this is not a sales rep you are talking to...its the founder of the company. When I first called I did not expect to talk with him directly...but I did...and he took the time to answer all my questions...all my subsequent calls and emails. There are only two companies (when doing extensive research on a HT system) when I called for info was I directly talking with the product creator (Sherbourn and Aerial Acoustics). It gives you a special insight when you are asking questions particular to your situation to the actual product creator! I wouldn't expect it all the time...because we are talking about some very busy men.
As far as the website goes...I am buying an amp not a website! I have seen great websites for substandard products.
Alan and David of AV Science both use the Sherbourn. That says alot considering they can probably get a good deal on any amp they want! Talk with Alan at AV Science...see what he tells you.
As I said...I can not recommend any higher!!!!!
Michael
p.s. This also saves you a few bucks...that you can put into better speakers!
[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited August 20, 2000).]
Quote:
| Assistant editor Joe Hageman and I listened to the 5/1500 for about a week, using high end speakers from Aerial Acoustics and a moderately priced set of NHTs. We liked the soundright away, even after spending the previous couple of months listening to ADA's $6,995 MPA-501 amp. Even driving the Aerials--a $7,900 speaker system--the 5/1500 didn't sound out of place. With no powered subwoofer in the system, the 5/1500 had to provide all the floor-shaking on its own, and it never even came close to losing control to the Aerial 7Bs' woofers. The bass always sounded tight and tuneful, there were no noticeable colorations in the midrange or treble, and the amp never seemed to run out of juice. Last month, in my review of the MPA-501, I described ATI's $1,599 AT1505 amp as being "as good as anyone really needs," and the 5/1500 falls into the same category--this is the level of performance where, in my opinion, any flaws are insignificant and won't detract in any way from your enjoyment of a movie or a CD. I knew after a few days that the 5/1500's sound could keep me happy, but how would it compare to other amps int its price range? To find out, I compared the 5/1500 to the ATI AT1505 in a long, Saturday afternoon listening session. The difference between the two amps is so minimal you could pull your hair out trying to nail it down, but after about a dozen DVDs and CDs, I finally got it. The 5/1500 produces slightly tighter, better controlled bass than the AT1505, while the ATI1505 has a somewhat smoother, more natural-sounding extreme treble. Those two advantages cancel each other out, I guess, but the 5/1500 also seems to have a slightly more present and pronounced midrange. Whether that makes it better or worse than the AT15 05 depends on the recording. On the eagles' DTS CD Hell Freezes Over, the 5/150's sound brought out the details in the acoustic guitars better. But on Marvin Gaye's DTS CD Forever Young, the voices sounded a little smootherwith the AT1505. I went back and fourth between the two for hours and, failing to develop a consistent preference for one or the other, I realized I was spending my entire Saturday afternoon comparing amps in a windowless room and promptly got the hell out oof there. There's a wealth of really good, relatively affordable multichannel amps with 150-plus watts per channel, including the 5/1500, the AT1505, and the ADA PTM-6150. The 5/1500 sounds as good as either of those, and it's got 50 watts more power (that's 1. 25 dB of extra headroom) per channel and a few extra features to boot. I think it's today's best value in a five-channel amp. Sure, I know people who might balk at spending $1,750 on a product from a company they've never heard of, but luckily for Sherbourn, my aunt Esther's not into home theater... |
As for Ron Fone...he has been very considerate and accomadating to me both in person directly on the phone and through email. Remember this is not a sales rep you are talking to...its the founder of the company. When I first called I did not expect to talk with him directly...but I did...and he took the time to answer all my questions...all my subsequent calls and emails. There are only two companies (when doing extensive research on a HT system) when I called for info was I directly talking with the product creator (Sherbourn and Aerial Acoustics). It gives you a special insight when you are asking questions particular to your situation to the actual product creator! I wouldn't expect it all the time...because we are talking about some very busy men.
As far as the website goes...I am buying an amp not a website! I have seen great websites for substandard products.
Alan and David of AV Science both use the Sherbourn. That says alot considering they can probably get a good deal on any amp they want! Talk with Alan at AV Science...see what he tells you.
As I said...I can not recommend any higher!!!!!
Michael
p.s. This also saves you a few bucks...that you can put into better speakers!
[This message has been edited by Archangel (edited August 20, 2000).]
Stacy, your mileage may vary, but here's a little test you can use. Email [email protected] asking for specific info on their 3/900. The reason for asking for 3/900 info is because there is none on the web site. Ask questions like: Is a separate power cord used? How much current &/or voltage does it draw? How much does it weigh? What are the dimensions? Where is it made?
I sincerely hope you get better and more polite responses than I got. I finally got Ron Fone to tell me where the unit is made. He never did answer the other questions. BTW, I believe part of my problem getting info from Ron Fone was a result of his thinking I was a woman. I kept trying to tell him I'm a man and he kept addressing me as Ms. Lynn Little.
Point 1: Sherbourn is a new (started in 1988) company
Point 2: Very rude PRE-SALE service (from one of the founders, no less!)
Point 3: Bad web site
Point 4: Poorly monitored AOL email address
Stacy, if you'd like, email me for copies of the emails.
[This message has been edited by lolittle (edited August 20, 2000).]
I sincerely hope you get better and more polite responses than I got. I finally got Ron Fone to tell me where the unit is made. He never did answer the other questions. BTW, I believe part of my problem getting info from Ron Fone was a result of his thinking I was a woman. I kept trying to tell him I'm a man and he kept addressing me as Ms. Lynn Little.
Point 1: Sherbourn is a new (started in 1988) company
Point 2: Very rude PRE-SALE service (from one of the founders, no less!)
Point 3: Bad web site
Point 4: Poorly monitored AOL email address
Stacy, if you'd like, email me for copies of the emails.
[This message has been edited by lolittle (edited August 20, 2000).]
Stacy wrote "I saw this amp offered here for $1300, it looks promising, but I'd like to hear from somebody who has actually used it. I'd love to hear any impressions. Thanks."
Michael, I replied with my "impression" of Sherbourns customer support. I strongly believe in good customer support. It is part of what I do for a living.
I do not audition products that I have no intention of buying. I have no intention of buying products from companies that treat me rudely BEFORE the sale. If they treat me badly before the sale, what will they treat me like if I have a problem AFTER the sale? If you'd like, I'll forward all 10 emails between Ron Fone & myself to you, just like I did for Stacy.
Michael, I replied with my "impression" of Sherbourns customer support. I strongly believe in good customer support. It is part of what I do for a living.
I do not audition products that I have no intention of buying. I have no intention of buying products from companies that treat me rudely BEFORE the sale. If they treat me badly before the sale, what will they treat me like if I have a problem AFTER the sale? If you'd like, I'll forward all 10 emails between Ron Fone & myself to you, just like I did for Stacy.
Joined
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786 Posts
Thanks for the replies everybody.
When I bought my Yamaha DSP-A1 back in the spring I did so with the thought that eventually I would buy a multichannel amp and add a Smart Devices CS-3X, Jr. for the center back channel. Now I'm not so sure. With the introduction of DTS ES Discrete, Matrix, and Neo:6, and the forthcoming release of the Denon AVR-5800, I'm trying to weigh my options and make the best move possible in terms of upgrading. I have to admit that I think the Denon is mighty impressive, but as much as I like the DTS ES Discrete and Matrix modes, I think the format that has me most curious is the Neo:6. I have a large collection of LD's, the vast majority of which lack a 5.1 soundtrack. If the Neo:6 could provide anything approaching a 6.1 presentation, with full-range split surrounds from DPL soundtracks, then I think it is worth it. Of course, if I'm able to scrounge the money for a Denon AVR-5800, then I won't be getting an external amp. If I'm going to pay that much for a receiver (even if I can find it discounted substantially I would expect to pay over $2500) then I'm certainly going to use the 7 170-watt channels of THX Ultra certified amplification. Of course, I wouldn't be able to afford an outboard amp anyway after that purchase.
However, after reading Jim Fosgate's Q & A about Dolby Pro-Logic II on this forum, I'm beginning to think that I should wait. There was a time when I would have sold a kidney on Ebay to get 6-Axis decoding (or Logic 7, although it is certainly clear which one Mr. Fosgate would prefer), but it was out of reach financially. From what I gather from Mr. Fosgate's interview, he deems DPL II superior to 6-Axis, and I would expect that since it is Dolby, it will take little time for it to find its way into every new component. No doubt if the Denon AVR-5800 included DPL II I would be all over that bandwagon and I would be making appointments to have that kidney removed. But all indications I have at this point are that it isn't included in the arsenal of decoding choices, and I'm not eager to drop a wad on the newest toy on the block only to have the AVR-5800 DPLII hit the shelves before I even have time to get my channels balanced.
So that brings me here, asking questions about an amp. At this point my thinking is that if I get an amp, a good one, I can go ahead and get the CS-3X, Jr. and enjoy EX-type processing with my DSP-A1 now. I'm also mindful of the fact that there is little enough software available at this time that takes advantage of DD EX, much less DTS ES. As for DTS ES Discrete, the only title I've heard mentioned is The Haunting, which from all I've read blew pretty hard and is only worthwhile BECAUSE of the soundtrack. Waiting, while hard from a techno-dweeb point of view, will in all probability be the most prudent choice since waiting will allow the companies to introduce new components with all of the goodies, DD,DPL II, THX EX, DTS ES Discret, Matrix, and Neo:6. I can then upgrade with a pre-amp that does all I want it to do, and then I'll be in the wonderful world of separates. But if I'm going to go that route, I need to make sure I buy the right amp.
At this point the front runner is probably the Outlaw 750. The price is right, it's gotten favorable reviews, it's a Stereophile Guide to Home Theater Editor's Choice Gold Award winner and an AA rated Recommended Component (which carries some weight with me) and it has been rated well on AudioReview (which carries less weight). The Sherbourne, well, I've read that review Michael mentioned. I remember being somewhat impressed at the time. I also have read the review in the June Sound & Vision. From what I gather, the 5/1500 has been compared favorably to the ATI AT1505 and the new B & K amp. The Outlaw has also been compared favorably to the ATI (in fact, many people seem to think that it is built by ATI or is simply a re-badged ATI product.) My belief is that I probably wouldn't go wrong with either. But something about the 5/1500 catches my eye. The difference in power means little to me, although I have to admit that having an amp with a total of 1000 watts is more satisfying than saying that you have one with 825 watts. But the Sherbourne seems more sophisticated, with its 5 separate toroidal transformers and soft-clipping circuit. Plus, I think the blue lights look cool.
So I guess I'm looking for reasons to choose one amp over the other. The Outlaw wins on price, the 5/1500 maybe pulls ahead on features. Michael is right, I do want to hear impressions from people who have used and owned the amp. There are only 11 reviews on AudioReview, most favorable (the only unfavorable review I remember seeing came from a guy who had a bad demo experience with a possibly malfunctioning unit), but I'd like to hear more. What do you like about the amp, what kinds of speakers are you using (I'll be using Def Tech BP10s, CLR 1000, BP8s), what impresses you the most about the amp, what do you like the least, what other amps did you consider? But I also appreciate Lynn's comments. I live in a rural area, and while I have a good relationship with an A/V dealer about 3 hours away, they don't carry amps that are in this price range. That leaves me dependent on mail order and the internet. More than likely I'll have to buy without ever having the chance to audition. Certainly not the best of circumstances, but what are you going to do? So it is important to me to know that I'll get terrific customer service. That is something I'm confident I'll get from Outlaw. The 34 or so posts on AudioReview about the Outlaw included many from people who commented on the exceptional customer service. I know that I'll have 30-days to try the amp out. With the Sherbourne I'm taking a bit more of a gamble. It costs more and I will have to pay a restocking fee if it turns out to be the wrong choice. I don't know how I'll be treated if the amp has a problem. Since I won't be buying from a brick and mortar dealer, I have to consider those things. So while I don't necessarily believe that Lynn's experience means that I would likewise run into problems, I appreciate him telling me how things went with him. Just something else for me to consider.
So thanks again, and if you own the amp, tell me what you think of it. If you can give me some more input to help me with this decision, I'd certainly appreciate it.
[This message has been edited by Stacy Huff (edited August 20, 2000).]
When I bought my Yamaha DSP-A1 back in the spring I did so with the thought that eventually I would buy a multichannel amp and add a Smart Devices CS-3X, Jr. for the center back channel. Now I'm not so sure. With the introduction of DTS ES Discrete, Matrix, and Neo:6, and the forthcoming release of the Denon AVR-5800, I'm trying to weigh my options and make the best move possible in terms of upgrading. I have to admit that I think the Denon is mighty impressive, but as much as I like the DTS ES Discrete and Matrix modes, I think the format that has me most curious is the Neo:6. I have a large collection of LD's, the vast majority of which lack a 5.1 soundtrack. If the Neo:6 could provide anything approaching a 6.1 presentation, with full-range split surrounds from DPL soundtracks, then I think it is worth it. Of course, if I'm able to scrounge the money for a Denon AVR-5800, then I won't be getting an external amp. If I'm going to pay that much for a receiver (even if I can find it discounted substantially I would expect to pay over $2500) then I'm certainly going to use the 7 170-watt channels of THX Ultra certified amplification. Of course, I wouldn't be able to afford an outboard amp anyway after that purchase.
However, after reading Jim Fosgate's Q & A about Dolby Pro-Logic II on this forum, I'm beginning to think that I should wait. There was a time when I would have sold a kidney on Ebay to get 6-Axis decoding (or Logic 7, although it is certainly clear which one Mr. Fosgate would prefer), but it was out of reach financially. From what I gather from Mr. Fosgate's interview, he deems DPL II superior to 6-Axis, and I would expect that since it is Dolby, it will take little time for it to find its way into every new component. No doubt if the Denon AVR-5800 included DPL II I would be all over that bandwagon and I would be making appointments to have that kidney removed. But all indications I have at this point are that it isn't included in the arsenal of decoding choices, and I'm not eager to drop a wad on the newest toy on the block only to have the AVR-5800 DPLII hit the shelves before I even have time to get my channels balanced.
So that brings me here, asking questions about an amp. At this point my thinking is that if I get an amp, a good one, I can go ahead and get the CS-3X, Jr. and enjoy EX-type processing with my DSP-A1 now. I'm also mindful of the fact that there is little enough software available at this time that takes advantage of DD EX, much less DTS ES. As for DTS ES Discrete, the only title I've heard mentioned is The Haunting, which from all I've read blew pretty hard and is only worthwhile BECAUSE of the soundtrack. Waiting, while hard from a techno-dweeb point of view, will in all probability be the most prudent choice since waiting will allow the companies to introduce new components with all of the goodies, DD,DPL II, THX EX, DTS ES Discret, Matrix, and Neo:6. I can then upgrade with a pre-amp that does all I want it to do, and then I'll be in the wonderful world of separates. But if I'm going to go that route, I need to make sure I buy the right amp.
At this point the front runner is probably the Outlaw 750. The price is right, it's gotten favorable reviews, it's a Stereophile Guide to Home Theater Editor's Choice Gold Award winner and an AA rated Recommended Component (which carries some weight with me) and it has been rated well on AudioReview (which carries less weight). The Sherbourne, well, I've read that review Michael mentioned. I remember being somewhat impressed at the time. I also have read the review in the June Sound & Vision. From what I gather, the 5/1500 has been compared favorably to the ATI AT1505 and the new B & K amp. The Outlaw has also been compared favorably to the ATI (in fact, many people seem to think that it is built by ATI or is simply a re-badged ATI product.) My belief is that I probably wouldn't go wrong with either. But something about the 5/1500 catches my eye. The difference in power means little to me, although I have to admit that having an amp with a total of 1000 watts is more satisfying than saying that you have one with 825 watts. But the Sherbourne seems more sophisticated, with its 5 separate toroidal transformers and soft-clipping circuit. Plus, I think the blue lights look cool.
So I guess I'm looking for reasons to choose one amp over the other. The Outlaw wins on price, the 5/1500 maybe pulls ahead on features. Michael is right, I do want to hear impressions from people who have used and owned the amp. There are only 11 reviews on AudioReview, most favorable (the only unfavorable review I remember seeing came from a guy who had a bad demo experience with a possibly malfunctioning unit), but I'd like to hear more. What do you like about the amp, what kinds of speakers are you using (I'll be using Def Tech BP10s, CLR 1000, BP8s), what impresses you the most about the amp, what do you like the least, what other amps did you consider? But I also appreciate Lynn's comments. I live in a rural area, and while I have a good relationship with an A/V dealer about 3 hours away, they don't carry amps that are in this price range. That leaves me dependent on mail order and the internet. More than likely I'll have to buy without ever having the chance to audition. Certainly not the best of circumstances, but what are you going to do? So it is important to me to know that I'll get terrific customer service. That is something I'm confident I'll get from Outlaw. The 34 or so posts on AudioReview about the Outlaw included many from people who commented on the exceptional customer service. I know that I'll have 30-days to try the amp out. With the Sherbourne I'm taking a bit more of a gamble. It costs more and I will have to pay a restocking fee if it turns out to be the wrong choice. I don't know how I'll be treated if the amp has a problem. Since I won't be buying from a brick and mortar dealer, I have to consider those things. So while I don't necessarily believe that Lynn's experience means that I would likewise run into problems, I appreciate him telling me how things went with him. Just something else for me to consider.
So thanks again, and if you own the amp, tell me what you think of it. If you can give me some more input to help me with this decision, I'd certainly appreciate it.
[This message has been edited by Stacy Huff (edited August 20, 2000).]
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I own 2 of these AMP's. It is one of the best AMPS I have used in my system. I duing movies I run at about 95db and when I am done with the movie I have yet to find either amp hot. They are just wonderful. I have used RANE, KENWOOD, and ATI. I so far like these amps the best.
System Config HERE
Just my .02
------------------
David Bott
It's A World Of Entertainment...Experience It!
AV Science/AVS Forum Admin
http://www.avscience.com
http://www.avsforum.com
[This message has been edited by David Bott (edited August 20, 2000).]
System Config HERE
Just my .02
------------------
David Bott
It's A World Of Entertainment...Experience It!
AV Science/AVS Forum Admin
http://www.avscience.com
http://www.avsforum.com
[This message has been edited by David Bott (edited August 20, 2000).]
Joined
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786 Posts
David, thanks for the reply.
That's some system you have there. Very nice! I see that you are doing Logic 7, so I know you are using more than 5 channels, hence two amps. But are you running any of them bridged? Just curious. That's another thing that I like about the 5/1500. It looks like it is a very flexible amp in that regard.
As for your impressions, you say you like it best of the amps you've had (Kenwood, Rane, ATI). What is it about the 5/1500 that you like? How would you compare the Sherbourne's with the ATI?
Thanks for the input.
That's some system you have there. Very nice! I see that you are doing Logic 7, so I know you are using more than 5 channels, hence two amps. But are you running any of them bridged? Just curious. That's another thing that I like about the 5/1500. It looks like it is a very flexible amp in that regard.
As for your impressions, you say you like it best of the amps you've had (Kenwood, Rane, ATI). What is it about the 5/1500 that you like? How would you compare the Sherbourne's with the ATI?
Thanks for the input.
lolittle,
I am sorry you had a bad experience with Ron Fone...but, do you think it's fair to bad mouth a product you have yet to see perform live and in person!
If you demo-ed the 5/1500...then you can speak of your impressions...but if you haven't you are being unfair to the product in question. I have owned the Sherbourn 5/1500 for just about a year now and speak from my experience with the actual product in question. Alan of AV Science is also a owner of one in his personal system. Ask him of his impressions.
But it is unfair to badmouth a product based on your impressions of their website and a bad phone experience. If these factors warrant you to look elswhere...that is your right. But Stacy asked for impressions of this product from people who have had actually heard it in action. Be fair...you are letting your bad experience taint a judgement on a product you have not seen or heard of in person. If I am wrong and you have gone out and demo-ed the 5/1500, then write about that...not your opinion of their website or a bad phone experience.
Michael
I am sorry you had a bad experience with Ron Fone...but, do you think it's fair to bad mouth a product you have yet to see perform live and in person!
If you demo-ed the 5/1500...then you can speak of your impressions...but if you haven't you are being unfair to the product in question. I have owned the Sherbourn 5/1500 for just about a year now and speak from my experience with the actual product in question. Alan of AV Science is also a owner of one in his personal system. Ask him of his impressions.
But it is unfair to badmouth a product based on your impressions of their website and a bad phone experience. If these factors warrant you to look elswhere...that is your right. But Stacy asked for impressions of this product from people who have had actually heard it in action. Be fair...you are letting your bad experience taint a judgement on a product you have not seen or heard of in person. If I am wrong and you have gone out and demo-ed the 5/1500, then write about that...not your opinion of their website or a bad phone experience.
Michael
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9,340 Posts
Hi again...
Have not run the bridged. I am running 8.1 thus I am taking 9 channels of the 10.
I just the way the 5/1500 handles itself. It seems to have a lot of head room and does not seem to every run out of power (clip or muddy sounding). I have lows, mids and highs without the muddy sound. All seem very clear. I recall the ATI was a good amp in sound and what have you, but for some reason I just preferred the sound of the Sherbourn. This is totally a opinion and I did not run any tests. Different amps do differnt things in peoples theaters. I for one like theses amps. I also recall the ATI getting hot.
------------------
David Bott
It's A World Of Entertainment...Experience It!
AV Science/AVS Forum Admin
http://www.avscience.com
http://www.avsforum.com
Have not run the bridged. I am running 8.1 thus I am taking 9 channels of the 10.
I just the way the 5/1500 handles itself. It seems to have a lot of head room and does not seem to every run out of power (clip or muddy sounding). I have lows, mids and highs without the muddy sound. All seem very clear. I recall the ATI was a good amp in sound and what have you, but for some reason I just preferred the sound of the Sherbourn. This is totally a opinion and I did not run any tests. Different amps do differnt things in peoples theaters. I for one like theses amps. I also recall the ATI getting hot.
------------------
David Bott
It's A World Of Entertainment...Experience It!
AV Science/AVS Forum Admin
http://www.avscience.com
http://www.avsforum.com
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