[Nathan Ivey]

I am using an Acurus A-80 and a 100 X 3 now.

These amps are good but my new processor seems to demand more.

For bookshelfs They would be fine but I am using all floor stanging!


My main goal in this purchase is an increased detail and soundstage not raw power!


I have a Theta Casa Nova pre-amp which seems to be a neutral un-colored unit so this is not a factor in my decision nor is a balanced input.


I work at an A/V store so that is the reason for the two amps mentioned. Yet there is one more I could get the earthquake cinenova which even at my discount is pricey!


Thanks,


Nathan

 

[JonFo]

I recommend the Sunfire.

It has the reserves needed to drive large speakers, plus it's sound is quite clean and neutral.


I use two Sunfires in my rig (Stereo 300wpc & a cinema grand) to power my revealing and very difficult to drive Martin Logan electrostats. Works like a charm with them


Excellent bang for the buck.


The only thing I'd consider 'upgrading' to would be a TACT Millennium, but then I'd need four of them. And at $10K each for the TACT, they make the Sunfires look very reasonable.



------------------

Jonathan

 

[Rags]



My main goal in this purchase is an increased detail and soundstage not raw power!


Nathan,


I just purchased a Sunfire Cinema Grand to replace my Rotel 985 THX. I was absolutely shocked at the size of the soundstage with the Sunfire. My Monitor Audio 703s disappeared. Using Sunfire's recommended bi-amp configuration, I found that the highs/midrange were much sweeter than what I had heard before, either in the audio store or in my home. For home theatre, there is much more involvement in the sound field. Lastly, I thought my Monitor Audio speakers were lacking in bass, until they were driven by the Sunfire. My wife is now complaining that some of her CDs have too much bass, and asked how to lower the bass output on our Lexicon DC-2. In summary, I believe you have to pay a considerable amount of money to beat this amp.

Regards,

Rags

 

[John H]

I used a Cinama Grand in my system for over a year and now use a Parasound HCA-2205A.


In my system I prefer the Parasound.


I suggest auditioning both amplifiers in "your" system and choosing the one that works and sounds best "to you".


------------------
My Home Theater


[This message has been edited by John H (edited June 13, 2000).]

 

[Nathan Ivey]

Could each of you gentlemen tell me what pre-amp you use/used with your Sunfire CG and did any of you hear the hum?


I find myself wanting to get the sunfire over the parasound because of comments on a wider soundstage which are consistently made by CG owners.


I am only worried about the hum problem mentioned on audioreview. Something like a hum would really piss me off. My current acurus amps which I am trying to sell make a hissing sound that is barely audible and I am bothered by that. A hum would kill me!


Thanks for the responses I have heard positive and negative about sunfire.

One other thing, what about the .5 distortion does this seem to give you any fatigue over long periods?



Nathan

 

[Rags]



Originally posted by Nathan Ivey:

____________________________________________________________ ______________

Could each of you gentlemen tell me what pre-amp you use/used with your Sunfire CG and did any of you hear the hum?

____________________________________________________________ ______________


Nathan,


I too was concerned about the hum issue. When I hooked up the Sunfire, I noticed a slight hum. I called Sunfire and they suggested unhooking the input cables from my Lexicon DC-2 preamp. The hum stopped. I tried an experiment subsituting a Tara Labs Prism cable for the cheaper Monster cables I was using. The hum stayed away. I suspect I have a ground-loop problem or an RF problem. Clearly, the Sunfire is NOT the problem but my system wiring or home electrical grounding could be the cause. One reason I took a chance with Sunfire is their reputation for great customer service, and also the audio store I purchased the amp from has a robust return policy. I think Sunfire may be getting a bum rap on the hum issue. Try Parasound and Sunfire - for me, the Sunfire sounded best in my system. Parasound amps can also run hot, whereas the Sunfire is always cool to the touch. However, both are very good amps for the money.


Regards,


Rags

 

[Rags]



Originally posted by Nathan Ivey:

____________________________________________________________ ____________

One other thing, what about the .5 distortion does this seem to give you any fatigue over long periods?

____________________________________________________________ ____________


I forgot to answer the last question. Since my speakers are very efficient and the amp watts are so high at .5% distortion, I do not witness any fatique over long periods. (I suspect my Monitor Audio speaker distortion would outway any amp distortion at high watts because my speakers have a 200 watt threshold.) I also saw this observation in audioreview but was never really concerned about it relative to my buying decision. The real proof is running the amp in your system within your home.


Regards,


Rags

 

[GaryH]

I also have the Sunfire Cinema Grand amp driving Aerial 7B, CC3, and SR3's. For pre amp/proc, I have Sunfire's Theater Grand. I am very happy with both units. I have never heard any hum from the amp. I did have a hum from the pre amp/proc which Sunfire fixed and paid for FEDEX 2 day Saturday delivery. Their customer service has been great. I'm thinking about upgrading to their Theater Grand II. Sunfire is offering a complete replacement of my Theater Grand I, plus $1,000. Not just replacing electronics inside. I too listened to the Parasound but bought the Sunfire after having both in my house for demo. Both are good amps and you should find a dealer that will let you demo them in your house.


Good Luck

 

[Nathan Ivey]

Listened to a Sunfire Theater Grand about an hour ago!


Guess what the freaking hum at the store.


Some of you may think this is B.S. but after all the talk of a hum I got a unit to demo that had the problem. The only thing is it was the pre-amp (sunfire) that had the hum. So I was forced to listen to the CG on a POS rotel pre-amp. The CG didn't sound any better than my Acurus on this particular pre-amp. So I asked to take it home to audition and the salesman wanted to charge me up front not just hold my credit card number and charge me should I break or decide to buy it.


Money up front charge my card and then take it off when I bring the amp back? Something didn't add up, I wont be back at this store!


Audio Insight and other stores just take your card number and only run your card if you decide to keep.



Nathan