This is an addendum to a review that I wrote a few years ago in 2012 (see previous review below under my full name of Carlton) Since that time I have upgraded my left and right front speakers from SDA-1C's to Polk SDA-SRS 3.1tl's. I have also upgraded and modified those speakers while participating in a group buy on the Polk Audio forum of a 1000 VA toroidal isolation transformer and crossfeed cable. I purchased customer made crossovers as well. The center channel was upgraded from he CS-400 to a CS1000p-which is essentially the CS-400 with a pair of powered subs on each end. Prior to all of that my Onkyo preamp began having HDMI board isues and was replaced under warranty by Onkyo to the newer PR-SC5509. I then had that preamp upgraded by The Upgrade company to EXCELLENT effect!! I changed my TiVo from a Premier XL to a Roamio plus. My Oppo from a BDP-93 to a BDP-103. My laserdisc player to a Pioneer Elite DVL-91 (which is a DVL-919 with the Elite upgrades. I erroneously posted DVL-990 as the model number in the previous review) The Monitor is now a Panasonic TC-P50ST60 plasma and the Sony has been moved to the bedroom. This amp has soldiered on through each and every change/upgrade with aplomb. Now with the new crossovers my SDA speakers have a lower impedance load and the amp showcased the new and better sound amazingly. Now I get an even better idea of this amps dynamic capability and bass. It is rock solid. Only a Krell would be better! Nothing has phased this beast at all and I am enjoying my home theater more than ever. I get wall to wall soundstaging when the music provides it. I get seamless imaging between all five channels on not only movie soundtracks, but also music surround. You should hear what 5 channel DSD downloads sound like-nevermind mutlichannel SACD's! One of the best examples of multichannel music with this current setup is a free DSD download that I got from Oppo Digital by David Elias called Morning Light Western town. It is pure DSD and has the musicians parked in front of each of the five mikes setup in a circle, using only the acoustic of the room. Amazing bass on this track that just sneaks up on you. There is also a two channel version that kind of sucks when you compare it to the five channel version. I am using the Voltage and current outputs across all three front channels to wonderful effect btw. I have combined the old scholl with the new. I play Laserdiscs, cassettes (my Nakamichi BX-300 was heavily refurbishe

Uuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh Do I gotta say something here????

FINALLY I have one of these amps and FINALLY I am getting the sound I have known my loudspeakers are capable of !!!The Voltage outputs sounded fine to my ears,but when I switched over the the Current outputs VOILA! The soundstage is HUGE,ESPECIALLY compared to what I had been using previously(a Carver TFM-45)I am VERY happy to FINALLY have one of these amps.
Great bass
Excellent dynamics
Silky smooth highs
Clear,detailed midrange
Very revealing.It seems to just throw the detail at me,but not in a forced way.This amp has me listening to my music collection all over again and discovering new things buried within.
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Pre/Pro/tuner w/UP-HT1 HD radio module
Carver TFM-45(back surround channel)
Carver M-400a (height channels)
Sony KD-34XBR970 Hi Def tube monitor
Pioneer DVL-990 Laserdisc/DVD combi player
Meridian 519 Dolby AC-3 RF demodulator
TiVo Premier XL
Oppo Digital BDP-93 Blu-ray/DVD-Audio-Video/SACD/CD combi player
Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette deck
Technics SL-1200MKII W/ Shure V15 Type VxMR cartridge
Polk SDA-1C L/R Front W/ AI-1 interface cable
Polk CS-400 Center
Polk Monitor 5jr L/R Surround
Polk RT35i Back Surround
Polk Mini Monitor Height channels
MIT cabling thoughout

Runs cool, Not very heavy. Easy on your pocket book.

Are you kidding?

After owning this amp for 1.5 years, and upgrading every other component in my system, I felt it was time to write a review of this tremendous amplifier. This amplifier is outstanding. It faithfully amplifies the signal provided, regardless of the demands of the speaker. I have used a/d/s CM-7s, JM Lab ELectra 905s and now Merlin TSM-Ms, and each of them have sounded their best when connected to this amplifier. As I got into SACD, I started on a quest to upgrade my system, one component at at time, so that I could hear the best music possible, but never considered upgrading the Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Five. This amp is so good, that one day I decided to break out some of me favorite late 60s early 70s SACDs and crank up the volume. My Reference Line Preeminece 1B preamp was almost full blast throughout the listening session of 2 hours, and the amp was just cruising along. I have been into this hobby for 24 years, and I know that a passive preamp is much easier on the amp than an active preamp when cranked up, but the Sunfire was being asked to play at 90% of full volume, and it was some of the best sounding music I have ever heard-no clipping whatsoever. I now have three components that I will not be changing for a VERY long time: Reference Line Preeminence 1B preamp, Sunfire amp, and Merlin TSM-M speakers. If you want to satisfy your ears and your wallet, pick up a used Sunfire 400 and enjoy the music!

Power, runs cool and beautiful to look at.

I can't think of any.

This is the best 5 channel amplifier I have ever listened to. Excellent sound for 5.1 home theater movies, 6 channel SACD and stereo ilstening. At 400 watts per channel this baby really rocks the house. If you are in need of a great all around amplifier for your home theater this is the one.

Customer Service

I called once to get information and they call me back with the information the same day.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon, Carver, Parasound Halo line, Outlaw Audio.

Sounds great. Balanced inputs. Bi-wiring capability for front speakers. Has tremendous power for price-but I haven't really tested that aspect, yet.

None noted so far.

This review is for the 2003 Cinema Seven. After 20 years I finally gave up on my once wonderful sounding Quad 405-2's (I had three of them and their age was starting to show). Listened to a number of different amps (Lexicon, Krell, Theta, Parasound) trying to find a top notch amp for both music and HT. Finally decided on the Sunfire just because I liked the way it sounded (with the Theater Grand Processor III). Its that simple. Worth a test drive.

Similar Products Used:

My beloved Quad 405-2s.

Power Clean power Definition of sound Runs cool

Joule meter on the front. I have no idea why it is there. It never moves. You could not see it if fit did. It must be for looks.

This amp is a dream to listen to. Accurate and powerful is how I would describe this amp. It runs cool except when you drive it to ear bleeding levels for 20 minutes or more then it gets warm. It never gets so warm that you cannot hold your hand on top. As for the humming problem I agree these people must have a groung loop problem. My system has no noise at all with the volume high or low. Please read the review I have posted for the TGIII and the True Sig Sub on this sight. My system: Sunfire TGIII Architect's Choice Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature II Architect's Choice Sunfire True Subwoofer Signature Klipsch KLF-30 Front Klipsch KSP-S6 Rear Klipsck KLF-C7 Center

Powerful, and warm. Nice looking amp also.

The way the back is laid out is a bit confusing.

The Sunfire Amp a nice mix for HT and music. The sound stage is warm and full. Pair will the right speakers (I own Paradigm Studio line) this is a wonderful, and is price very nicely

Similar Products Used:

Anthem MCA-50 Rotel 1095

Appearance, Build Quality, Power, Sound

None

I have never heard any amp that sounds better enough to buy- Mark Levinson, Krell etc..! In my humble opinion the Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Series combined with the Theatre Grand Processor II is at the apex of the diminishing returns level. This Sunfire combination is worth every penny. I was simply overcome with the sound and efortless power. Sorry Audiophiles

Similar Products Used:

ADCOM, Mackintosh, Krell, Mark Levinson

power, control, looks, value, overall sound and tonality

doesn't weigh as much as you'd think for it's output - perception of quality though it's certainly there.

I just sold my B&K ref 20 / av5000II setup for the Sunfire TGII / CG sig. The TGII is undoubtedly (to my ears) an extremely neutral pre/pro, so I believe I have gotten a pretty good feel for the CG sig sound. That the sound is "warm" (as stated in a previous review) is a matter of perspective. However, I can say that the CG sig is forgiving of "lesser" upstream gear and poor recordings. That it does not replicate the "absolute sound" is a concession that most of the middle class must make. Whereas some may consider this a weakness in stereo listening (I happen to appreciate the CG sig's tonality), I consider it a MAJOR advantage with regards to the harshness of DD and DTS soundtracks. The CG sig in NO way tops off the highs with DVDs, but presents them with a silkiness, closely akin to the difference between soft and hard dome tweeters. In listening to any of your reference DVDs, you will notice an openess of the soundstage that allows all of the inner detail to present itself as a harmonious part of the sonic image - closely akin to viewing a masterpiece painting at distance that allows you to appreciate the technique while capturing the essence of the image as a whole. This fine weaving continues across the midrange, where voices are potrayed with startling realism, and appropriate weight and timbre. The lower mids and upper bass is perhaps the biggest suprise. Mind you, the CG sig in no way resembles the velvety feel of tubes, but it does provide suprisingly wonderful sonic texture and finess for a SS amp. In comparison to my previous B&K gear, the CG sig sounds more complete, with greater extension at both ends of the frequency extremes, and WAY more dynamic headroom (this thing doesn't even break a sweat when you throw everything you've got at it). At first I thought it lost out to the B&K in terms of sheer bass impact and weight. However, with extended listening, I find that the bass is actually more extended but tighter and better controlled. I can now distinguish between the intitial finger pluck of a bass guitar, the expansion of sound and the decay, whereas with the B&K, it just sounded powerful.

Similar Products Used:

B&K av5000II, parasound, ATI

POWER AND VERSITLE HOOK UP OPTION. I HAVE STEALTH FROM THE SOLID STATE HOOKUP TO THE B&W MID & HI AND 12GA OXYEGEN FREE COPPER FROM THE TUBE OUTPUT TO THE B&W WOOFER.

THE REMOTE NEEDS SEGREGATION BARS FOR EASE OF USE . I PUT TWO STRIPS OF NARROW TAPE ON THE FACE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM

I READ ABOUT THE GUY WHO WENT TO THREE STORES TO HEAR B&W 802'S ON DIFERENT AMPS. B&W STORES ARE NOT IN THE SAME AREA SO HE MUST HAVE DONE ALOT OF DRIVING OR HES FULL OF BALONY. THE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE HUM HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE AMPS ENVIROMENT THAN THE AMP ITSELF AND ISN'T A QUALITY ISSUE. OH BY THE WAY THIS AMP WEIGHTS 47 LBS WHICH I THINK IS CONSISTANT WITH ITS OUTPUT. I FIND THE SOUND WARM AND CLEAR ON MY B&W 803'S AND THE POWER DOES ENHANSE THE SOUND. THE QUALITY IS JUST FINE AND THE FEATURES ALONG WITH THE CG II IS UNSURPASSED. I DO MISS THE A/B OPTION THOUGH

Similar Products Used:

CARVER ROTEL KENWOOD