[jakermc]

With the Series II now hitting the streets, there should be some great deals on the original version.


As the Sunfire seems to be popular with Martin Logans, I was considering making the move. I am running Ascents up front (full range) and will have a pair of Scripts and a Cinema crossed at 80hz.


My question is, should I go for the Signature series or the base model. Will the Signature be overkill given the the Ascents 90db sensitivity and stated power handling of 200w? Or is the extra power a good idea, given the fact that the speaker reaches 1.2 ohm at some frequencies? Do you think it justifies the extra cost?


Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[John Kotches]

Frankly, I'd listen to the Series II and the originals to see which you prefer first. It isn't necessarily a great deal if the Series II drastically improves on the performance of the original series.


I'd look at the Signature for head room purposes -- you have an additional 3dB of head room, and depending on room size this could come into play.


Regards,

 

[jakermc]

Thanks for the advice. My room is about 16x30 with a low ceiling - 6'10 in the front (theater end) and 7'10 in the rear. I'm not sure if that changes your opinion to choose the Signature.


With the great reviews Series I got, it would be nice to think that Series II is even better. I know it has a little more output, though I haven't had a listen to know if there are any sonic benefits at more modest levels. I would probably be asking Pete Townsend for a good ear specialist if I ever pushed this thing to its limits. Has anyone out here compared the two?

 

[Ross E]

More power from an amp doesnt neccessarily mean you are going to play it much louder. I currently run 5 amps (2 200wx2), (2 250wx2) and (1 200x3). I dont deafen myself with the system. I actually use the "set the voice to a comfortable level and set the volume there" rule. I will say, however, an amp with more power wont work as hard to achieve the same sound level. Meaning it will run cooler. My amps barely feel warm to the touch. If you have extra $$, I'd go with the signature

 

[Warrenbonz]

I have the Signature series II in the 5 channel and 2 channel versions for my 7 channel system. I have Aerial Acoustic speakers so all that power is important for me as the Aerials are not efficient. I haven't compared the Signatures to the non Signatures and I am by no means an expert, however, for what it is worth I am very happy with the sound of my system. Good Luck and if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them if I can.

 

[roni44]

Well, if you look hard enough, you can pick up used cinema grand for under 1500, and a 2ch amp for under 1000. I'll pick up both and biamp cinema grand with your accent, and rest of them to power center and rear.

 

[jimmyrod]

Well I too am considering embarking into the world of the Sunfire amps, but I also have an interest in the EAD PM1000. I have NHT 2.9's, AC2 center and 1.5 rears. Room is 15w-24L-9h ft.


I can buy either the EAD 1000 new or buy a used Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature for the same price. I don't know if the my NHT 1.5 rears would be over powered by the Sunfire.


By the way I am using the EAD TM Signature as a processor.

Any opinions would be helpful.


Thanks


Jim

 

[roni44]

Well Jimmy, both Sunfire and EAD are great amp. Only reason I went with Sunfire because of My Martin logan. I have hear EAD with NHT and it does a wonder job. The sound was big, wide, and detailed. My 2 cents, EAD is little more musical than Sunfire.

 

[BonsaiScott]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ross E I will say, however, an amp with more power wont work as hard to achieve the same sound level. Meaning it will run cooler. My amps barely feel warm to the touch. If you have extra $$, I'd go with the signature

That's what I love about my Cinema Grand - regardless of output levels, the case stays at ambient room temp. The wonders of the tracking downconverter.


WRT output levels and headroom - I've never budged the needle on the amp, which measures the power supply reserve in Joules. My room is quite small (12x13), but I use the Cinema Grand to drive a pair of B&W CDM-1 SEs, 2 NHT SW3 subs and a NHT center channel. I rattle the windows, shake the floor and awaken the neighbors and still the needle never budges. I wonder if it's broken


I think for my application, the original Cinema Grand has plenty of headroom. I love this amp.


Scott

 

[jakermc]

Well, while I think the regular Cinema Grand is all I need, I decided to buy the Signature Series II anyway. My decision rested on that nagging feeling I always have whenever I choose the less expensive of two options, then later down the road when I have more money, regret the fact that I didn't buy the better piece of gear in the first place.


I liked Roni's idea of bi-amping and picking up a two channel amp, but I am heading towards a 7.1 system. Currently I have a B&K Reference TX4430 (3x200) and a Parasound HCA1000 (2x110). I'll use the new Signature amp and the Parasound in the new arrangement and sell the B&K to finance the new purchase.


Anyone interested in the B&K?

 

[roni44]

I still think that with 2ch and cinema would be the best way, and if you ever decided to go 7.1, use 2ch to power L and R since it's 300x2 instead 5x200 for cinema.

 

[chesterdad]

I have 2 Cinema Grands with my Meridian/Martin Logan system - 2 ReQuests, 1 Logos, and 2 Aerius. I have had a number of amps before(AR classic 60, NYAL Moscode, Golden Tube, Adcom, etc.) and find that the Cinema Grand has lots of headroom and works great with the ML's. I leave mine powered all the time. I biamp all the speakers but the center channel with the various outputs. I am not sure of the value of upgrading to Signature here, I might spend the money on room insulation or something else that makes a larger audible difference - just my opinion



Jim

 

[JonFo]

Well, add me to the list of people recommending the Sunfire for your application.


I also run two amps, a Sunfire CG Signature and an original 2ch Sunfire.

The CG Sig powers all panels of my Martin Logan array of Monolith III's, Logos and Sequel II's. The 2ch drives the woofers in the monoliths. Bass is further supplemented by Velodyne ULD-18's.


I recently upgraded from the regular CG to the signature to have extra headroom in the system. I believe it has made small but noticeable difference at high volumes.


The old CG will power sides and z-axis or 'height' channels.


If running demanding, current hungry speakers like ML, then the bigger the Sunfire the better.

 

[jakermc]

Part of my decision to get the CG Signature was the fact it won't cost any more to implement in my set-up.


Many people seem to have the opinion that the regular CG bi-amped is the way to go. However, this only gives me three channels of amplification for $3000 (list price of new Series II) versus 5, higher powered channels at $4000 with the Signature. The regular CG only seems to make sense from a value standpoint when it is not bi-amped (utilizing 5 [email protected] 200w) or if you bi-amp it and utilize much lower priced/lower powered amplifiers for the remaining channels.


Also impacting my decision was the equipment I already own. Bi-amping would give me three chanels. Keeping my B&K adds three more. I would still be one channel short so the Parasound would also have to stay. I would be left with 3 boxes and no money to recoup in the aftermarket.


I am aware that I can go out and buy a used regular CG for under $1500, keep the Parasound, sell the B&K, and pick up another stereo amp as Roni has suggested. However, this would be a real pain in the butt, leave me with 3 boxes in the rack instead of 2, and have a lower level of performance in the center and in the surrounds. The economics of this would fall apart also if I threw in a used Signature example.


Bottom line is, if I believe in bi-amping with the regular CG is needed to give me the performance I am looking for, then using a single amped, bi-wired Signature (which is even more powerful than a bi-amped regular CG) makes more sense from both an economical standpont and ease of transaction.