Sunfire Cinema Grand Amplifiers
Sunfire Cinema Grand Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 15, 2004]
mauserb
Casual Listener
Strength:
Too many to mention
Weakness:
None that I have observed. I love this amp! I have nothing bad to say about it. It runs so cool I'm able to leave it behind glass doors. The current/voltage bi-amp cong. sounds so sweet, my speakers love it (Energy Veritas 2.3). During movies it is as good as anything I've heard. I have a TG1, I use to have a Marantz AV9000, the sound is more detailed with the TG1. Thanks Bob Carver! Amazaing power in a beautiful package that runs cool. Similar Products Used: Marantz, Rotel, Parasound |
[Jan 20, 2003]
Dylan Arriaza
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great finish Loads of powers (check out the review on the downward tracking converter concept) Nice hook up options Solid craftmanship Runs cool (no heatsinks) Super quite Makes me want the 425wpc signature
Weakness:
The joules meter is bright and competes with my monitor for attention Nothing complex about any amp but I'm a firm beleiver that power is the most important variable to any system. Lot's of clean power = big, nice effortless sound. The unit is well made. Balanced and unbalanced inputs are nice options. Voltage and current hookups for us bi-ampers. I am powering some 230watt Athena F2's and they match perfectly. If you have speakers that are on the slightly bright side, this is the amp for you. If your speakers are nutural sounding, you may get a flat response from them. I originally had some Infinity RSb4's hooked up and they sounded great but lacked the clear definition of female voices like Jewel. The concept of the downward tracking converter makes this speaker 100% clip proof. Regardless of the size speaker or impedence, I cannot make the front Joules meter drop below 380...and my Athenas can go way LOUD! I've been through some amps over the past 10 years including Parasound, ADA and others but I have made this amp my last. Similar Products Used: Parasound ADA Yamaha |
[Nov 30, 2002]
radone
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Power Quiet
Weakness:
None I have had this amp now for a little over a year and can say that I love it more every time I listen to it. It is mated to a Marantz AV9000 Pre Amp and has been a great combination. I did not like the Theater Grand when I was auditioning different equipment and the dealer had the Marantz set up and was sold after that. A great combination. I have never had any problems with this amp, it runs cool and quiet. It has tremendous power reserves and has never missed a beat while powering my NHT VT-3 mains, VC-3 center and VR-3 surrounds which are notoriously power hungry. Similar Products Used: ATI 1500 Various Carver amps |
[Oct 23, 2002]
SC
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Cool runnings, simplistic design, trigger system, imaging, by-amping and by-wiring capability and weight.
Weakness:
Binding posts First of all please allow me to say this review is for the CGII, there is no comaprison between the CG and CGII. A few of the differences are; 1. Much Larger P/S 2. 225x5 WPC 3. Larger CAPS, larger power reserve 4. Trigger ON&OFF These are the some of the substatial modifications to the new CGII. Now on to the review. I really don't know where to start, I'm sittin here shaking my head and smiling trying to figure out which one of the unbelievable design characteristics I should start with first. The most awsome to me would be the performance, it is by far for the money one of the best sounding amps on the market today. It runs cool and no matter what the load or volume it continues to run cooler than most DVD palyers you lay your hands on. The other huge enhacement is the DC trigger system, it no longer depends on signal precence to turn on the amp, it is turned on when triggered and turned of the same way. Quite honestly the only negative I have is the binding posts, you would figure for a high end amp that you would get better quality posts. Overall this piece of hardware is exceptional, it does a great job musically and a awesome job in multichannel. High priced balanced cables are not necessary for short runs but you must use good quality interconnects and speaker cables, it is absolutely crutial. I would recommend Audioquest interconnects and speaker cables, CV-6 to be exact. Remember that cables are relative to your gear, if you have a 500.00 receiver and 100.00 speakers it wouldn't make sense to buy 400.00 speaker cables. Having said this because you're reading this review you're entertaining the purchase of this or a similar product. It doesn't make similar sense to spend 2000.00 on this amp and more money on other gear to connect it all up with .50 cents a foot copper wire, buy the best speaker wire you can afford relative to your system. Remeber good quality speaker wire and interconnects do NOT make your system sound better, they just introduce less distortion hence a better sound. One final note, go listen. What people tell you and what you read means nothing if you don't like what you hear, everyone hears different things. Go audition amps with the music you like, not with the music the salesman likes and listen to amps connected to similar speakers that you currently have or looking to acquire. It is a big step for Similar Products Used: Parasound Onkyo Sony Marantz |
[May 30, 2002]
chinman
AudioPhile
Strength:
value, quiet, lots of power, classic look, auto-power-on feature, balanced connections, runs warm not hot, good customer service
Weakness:
plastic binding posts I have since upgraded to Krell. However, Sunfire equipment is excellent. Used in conjunction w/ HTGII preamp, sound is harmonious and brings vocals to life. Inputs to biamp and biwire are an added bonus. Can pretty much handle any load. One can find a unit used for a substantial bargain. Similar Products Used: krell kav-500 |
[Apr 11, 2002]
Downstream
AudioPhile
Strength:
Tons of power for a very reasonable price. Makes great music and takes speakers to their maximum efficiently. Does not get hot.
Weakness:
None, except you may strain your back lifting it out of the box. It''s about 50 lbs. Powerhouse power that powers the powerful power-stacking electrical music thunderstorm. You get the idea. One great amplifier. To dispel the other reviews - the Sunfire Cinema Grand does not hum. It produces clean, steady power to 5 channels and is worth every dime that you pay for it. Also looks cool as hell. Grab one off of E-Bay. You can get a really good deal and save a lot off the list price. Make sure you use good cabling. I have a Hero interconnect and have the amp paired with a Sunfire Theater Grand preamp/processor. Also, make sure you use good speaker cables or you will nullify the whole point of having a quality amplifier and preamp. I use Kimber cables and they are great. A bit expensive, but worth it. Similar Products Used: None |
[Feb 17, 2002]
Gary Sedlack
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Power, runs cool, auto on/off, clean classy looks.
Weakness:
I have found non as yet. The best bang for my buck. I have used this in my system since April 00. I am driving an NHT V-T2 system, towers are biwired. Pre/pro B&K Ref20. This was a demo unit with about 20 hr''s on it. I have had zero hum problems, it runs very cool even when used all day. The auto on/off is flawless. For movies I could not ask for more power and dynamics. In the digital bypass mode with the B&K for two chanel stereo listening the sound stage is wide, deep and open, detail is very clear. With the right speaker system this is a wonderful amp and highly recomended. Similar Products Used: Carver AV405 |
[Feb 07, 2000]
S.
Audiophile
Strength:
Transparent Power
Weakness:
No detachable power cord I have 2 Cinema Grands driving Bi-Amped Legacy Focus Mains, Center, and Dual 12" Sub with the remaining 2 channels driving the rears. In this Bi-Amp configuration I am able to use the voltage source outputs for the bass and current source for the highs. The 2000W these amps produce are allocated 400w per L/R main, 400W center, 400W Sub with 400W left over for the L/R rears. In addition to the superb sound,I appreciate the auto on/off feature. Similar Products Used: none |
[Nov 04, 1999]
Glen
Audio Enthusiast
I've had the CG for just over a month and have loved every minute of it. I Tried Rotel, Parasound, and Marantz prior. Each had its own benefits, but none added up to as much pleasure listening as the Sunfire. Just in response to the prior discussion, there is no hum at all in my system. |
[Feb 11, 2001]
Brian
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Power, dual main outs, sound,auto on, no heat, styling
Weakness:
None I have had the unit 3 months and it has been perfect. I havent had any of the problems described below. The amp has tons of power and will drive any load (I have 5 Martin Logan 4 ohm speakers). It has a very pleasant sound. I also liked the Rotel 1095 and the anthem amps, but they were much larger and produce large quantities of heat. I have very limited space and didnt want to place my amp on the floor. The rotel weighs about 80 lbs, but the sunfire is only around 40. Sound quality is as good or better than the Rotel. The sunfire also looks nice, great for the wife factor. Overall I am very happy with this amp, its a keeper. Similar Products Used: Rotel RMB-1095, Anthem MCA5 |