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Sunfire Cinema Grand Review (5-channel Amp)

Rate this amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 105 59.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 57 32.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 10 5.6%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 6 3.4%

  • Total voters
    178

DonH56

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RichB

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Unfortunately mine has developed a humming/buzzing toroidal transformer. Anyone know what I can replace it with? I think the output is 95.6V (Red) and 19.6v (blue and green) and I couldn't find any transformers with that output.

Pretty much every all transformer-based amps had low level hum/buzz.
I supplied this amp to dropped shipped to ASR.

It is still in the box, I plan on selling it, not really trying to make money, just over the repair costs shipping.

PM me if interested.

- Rich
 

2fatpugs

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Pretty much every all transformer-based amps had low level hum/buzz.
I supplied this amp to dropped shipped to ASR.

It is still in the box, I plan on selling it, not really trying to make money, just over the repair costs shipping.

PM me if interested.

- Rich
I ordered the 6 ch MP 252 amp from Buckeye. I wanted to fix the buzz so I can sell mine too!
 

2fatpugs

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Have you tried to loosen/re-tighten the transformer mounts or add some additional damping material to the mounting system ?
Thanks I'll try that. There always been a humming noise but it was barely audible unless I put my head next to the amp. Now I can hear the buzzing sound from the kitchen. I also forgot that if I unplugged the amp and leave it alone for awhile, when I plug it back in, it goes from buzzing back to a low hum. The buzzing would come back after I start using the amp again.
 

Spkrdctr

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I'd suggest replacing the transformer with a brand new one of the non-humming type. Oh and remember, cost is no object!:)
 

RichB

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I ordered the 6 ch MP 252 amp from Buckeye. I wanted to fix the buzz so I can sell mine too!
Ha ha.

I‘d better get mine listed soon :)

- Rich
 

gattaca

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There are only a few remaining Carver/Sunfire Audio Repair Shops that I know of which specialize in handling the Sunfire/Carver amps. A 3rd, Bill Flannery at Flannery's Vintage Audio, retired in mid 2022 due to health.

a) Mr. Roland Barr @ Carver Audio Repair -> https://www.carveraudiorepair.com/
b) Mr. Garska @ Nelionaudio -> https://nelionaudio.com/

You might find some of the manuals, schematics and spec/design sheets here to glean part info from. Many parts are no longer manufactured today. -> https://thecarversite.com/

This "repair" sheet has not been updated in a while -> https://carverstereoforum.com/wp-co.../Sunfire-Repair-Sheet-updated-July-2017-1.pdf

I've used Mr. Barr (and Mr. Flannery) several times these past 25+ years to re-cap and inspect amps. Their fees were always fair and the work have always been immaculate. Sometimes they have a wait queue. I've not used Nelionaudio yet. Stay safe - Have a great day! YMMV.
 
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I am looking to buy one of these. I just picked up a Sony ta n9000es and I would like to know how they compare.
 

GXAlan

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I am looking to buy one of these. I just picked up a Sony ta n9000es and I would like to know how they compare.
I have measured my TA-N9000ES to beat the NC252MP. The Sony is good if you don’t need power.
 

2fatpugs

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I am looking to buy one of these. I just picked up a Sony ta n9000es and I would like to know how they compare.
Mine is for sale. There's a slight buzz from the transformer but other wise it is good shape. I have it re-coditioned by Bill Flannery 4 years ago. Message me if you are interested and we can come to a fair price.
 
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Mine is for sale. There's a slight buzz from the transformer but other wise it is good shape. I have it re-coditioned by Bill Flannery 4 years ago. Message me if you are interested and we can come to a fair price.
I may be interested. I did just buy a few more amps though, a denon avrx 4500, Harmon kardon citation 22, adcom 5400, haffler dh200, and some pro amps. Getting ready to put together my living room with a full 11.2 system and my theater room with at least 13.2.
Regards,
Jeff
 
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I am willing to buy one. Or maybe ever 2. They have been a dream Amp of mine since I installed a dozen of them in a home in 2001.
 

TonyJZX

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i remember when ac3 dts 5.1 dvd was firing on all cylinders and everyone thought the AVR amp or avp and 5 channel amp was the thing... people accepted they needed 5 speakers and a sub

3-5-6 channel amps were the big thing people lusted after

that Sony 9000ES was one but a $2,500 usd power amp like this Sunfire was the stuff of dreams where it could be $5,000 of our dollars... the Rotel 985 at the lower end... I ended up with a Parasound BUT a big deal for some was THX certification which sort of guaranteed a minimum standard of performance.

I would love to see how a RB985 compares but I suspect every one of these 5 channel units if flawed in some way.

 

pseudoid

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...Krell 300i...
I used to lust for a Krell... any Krell... Never happened!:(
I remember any Krell that was a "300i" as being an integrated amp K-300i with their inhouse iBias design.
There were some brute Krell power amps like the FPB-300c and the KSA series but...
Anyways, what I want to know is how dare you to get rid of such a classic/collectible? Why? Any Regrets?:)
 
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Mine is for sale. There's a slight buzz from the transformer but other wise it is good shape. I have it re-coditioned by Bill Flannery 4 years ago. Message me if you are interested and we can come to a fair price.
Message me, I am very interested.
 
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