Inherited LSi25 7.1 setup, Questions about system, Amp

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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    So this guy on Audiogon accepted my offer of $1000 shipped, should I stick with that or jump at that Carver audio site? I can't even find a phone number for the Carver audio website, seems weird.

    If your serious about it I can get you in contact with the guy running that site that should have that information.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    I'm going to take SDA1C's advice and take a trip south to meet up with him and listen to his speakers with the Amps he has. Think I need to test my ears out and see what I think. It's blowing my mind that now that Tweeter is gone in Chicagoland there seems to be NO where to listen to high end audio equipment.
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  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited January 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    So this guy on Audiogon accepted my offer of $1000 shipped, should I stick with that or jump at that Carver audio site? I can't even find a phone number for the Carver audio website, seems weird.

    If he accepted your offer, you are pretty much obligated to follow thru with the sale. You of course, just like on ebay, elect not to, but negative feedback on the 'gon will diminish those willing to sale or buy from you in the future. I am also looking for a sufficient amp for my LSi system, Sunfire was at the top of the list. However, the age of some of the amps is a slight deterrent, especially in light of the information posted by SDA1C. I have broadened my scope to Rotel 1095, 1077, and also the W4S amps. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    Yeah unfortunately I'm going to be "that guy" and I'm not paying. He seems sketchy number 1 and number 2 he has changed the story of where the amp came from 2 times now. I just created the account so I'm tempted to just close the account. My issue is the damn budget that I can't budge on, the wife will not go a dime above $1000, so I'm quite limited.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    Join the forum at the Carver site I linked. Then PM forum member toymaker about the cinema grand. He runs that site and can help you out. If you don't hear back let me know.

    You could also post a wanted ad there as lots of the guys have spares lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    double post.
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited February 2012
    Well I was able to get an amazing deal, Sunfire 5x200 for $500. I'm looking for cable recommendations, I have a hook up through Audio Quest cables, so any recommendations from them?
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    Well I was able to get an amazing deal, Sunfire 5x200 for $500. I'm looking for cable recommendations, I have a hook up through Audio Quest cables, so any recommendations from them?


    3 pairs of AQ Sidewinders
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited February 2012
    obieone wrote: »
    [/B]

    3 pairs of AQ Sidewinders
    How about from receiver to speakers? I'm currently using older, but nice monster wire. I'm assuming I should upgrade to some nice speaker cables? Any recommendations from AQ?
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    How about from receiver to speakers? I'm currently using older, but nice monster wire. I'm assuming I should upgrade to some nice speaker cables? Any recommendations from AQ?

    I personally used the following: Audioquest FLX CL2 14/4 (so I could bi-wire them from the amp). I also now have Audioquest CV-4 38v dbs stuff.

    Honestly the FLX was quite good and decently priced (got it cut to length by a local dealer). Some other suggestions would be the Type 4 or Rocket 33. Totally depends on what your willing to spend.

    Might also put out a wanted ad here on the forum for whatever types/lengths your interested in. At one point there was a member with some CV-4 non-dbs speaker cables that I was interested in until I found out you cant make a non dbs cable a dbs one :smile:. The price was right but I needed the dbs part....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited February 2012
    I was going to run their nice Rocket series or something similar to the front 3 of the speakers. How about Bi-Wiring? Seems that it pretty much is not necessary and hard to tell the difference. Thoughts? I'll definitely jump on that speaker wired for the rears, but the fronts what would you recommend? Was going to grab 3 sets of nice cables from the amp.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited February 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    I was going to run their nice Rocket series or something similar to the front 3 of the speakers. How about Bi-Wiring? Seems that it pretty much is not necessary and hard to tell the difference. Thoughts? I'll definitely jump on that speaker wired for the rears, but the fronts what would you recommend? Was going to grab 3 sets of nice cables from the amp.

    Their Rocket series is quite nice as well. In regards to bi-wiring you dont have to do it but most would recommend replacing the jumpers that come with the speakers with something better, even if just a section of better speaker wire. Thats why I liked the fact the 14/4 allowed me to bi-wire or not with just a couple quick adjustments. If you get the Rocket series speaker wires, just find some good jumpers from a decent dealer (Audioquest doesnt sell jumpers I dont think)
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2012
    For speaker cable I would suggest Audioquest, Signal Cable, or MIT since they have good sales here and there. You'll want a Pangea Audio power cord for that amp you scored at an excellent price.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited February 2012
    How dramatic the last week has been with this amp.

    The guy shipped it to me UPS and used PonyExpress to pack it for him. The guy double wrapped it with bubblewrap and loaded the box with packing peanuts (doh! Static electricity) I got the thing the 10th and wanted to open it, but based on the advice of SDA1C he said to wait 48 hours until it got warmed up and used to the Chicago winter. I opened it the next day and took it out of the box, cut the bubblewrap off and the left channel "Current" positive speaker terminal has snapped at the brass. I was immediately furious and went to the eBay picture and noticed it was perfect in the pictures. I started grabbing handfuls of peanuts praying it was in the box and sure enough it was in the box. Contacted the seller who has been fantastic at helping me resolve this. Long story short we just got the insurance approved through UPS and they are paying the $550 to repair and ship it to Carver's Audio Service. I spoke with Bill from Carver for quite a while and he said he'll take the entire thing apart, make sure it's as good as new, recap the amp and send it back. So for $500 I got that AMP and got it checked over and a 1 year warranty. Probably the best deal I've ever gotten on something.

    Before UPS came to pick it up I listened to a couple tracks I know inside and out on the LSI towers with my Pioneer VSX32 at -13db. Noted certain things I was listening for and as usual it sounded ok, but it just sounded like speakers if you know what I mean? I carried the Sunfire down and plugged in my fronts to the "Voltage" channel that was ok. Told my wife, who's been completely skeptical of this purchase, to listen to this one now. We both sat down, closed our eyes, hit play and at the exact same moment looked at each other and went "Holy ****, it sounds like she's in the damn room!" To say I'm excited to get this thing back would be an understatement.

    Oh and one last thing I asked Bill about this supposed shortage of repair parts for Sunfire and he scoffed at that. He said they have more than enough to repair the Sunfire equipment. Food for thought because I remember reading something about that.

    TL;DR version
    Sunfire amp came broken, UPS paying to get amp repaired and checked over by Carver Audio Service. Also, Amp sound freaking amazing.
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited February 2012
    Glad to here about your good fortune. Enjoy.
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  • MaynardLD50
    MaynardLD50 Posts: 19
    edited February 2012
    Not that anyone necessarily cares at the moment :) but UPS shipped it back to Carver/Sunfire and completely destroyed the amp in the process. So what was once a broken amplifier speaker terminal is now a completely crushed, dented, destroyed 5x200. God rest the amps soul. Going after UPS for market value to replace amplifier, so far it's been fun.
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  • BeefJerky
    BeefJerky Posts: 1,320
    edited February 2012
    MaynardLD50 wrote: »
    Not that anyone necessarily cares at the moment :) but UPS shipped it back to Carver/Sunfire and completely destroyed the amp in the process. So what was once a broken amplifier speaker terminal is now a completely crushed, dented, destroyed 5x200. God rest the amps soul. Going after UPS for market value to replace amplifier, so far it's been fun.
    Oh wow, that really stinks. Hope you don't have too much trouble getting reimbursed with UPS! Keep us updated.
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