Adcom vs. Sunfire

squeeb

When I got my SDA SRS-2s, I connected them to my Sunfire TGR-3 and used my Adcom 5503 to power the center and surround speakers while the Sunfire also powered the surround back speakers. I listened to them that way for about a month. I decided to switch it up a little bit and use the Adcom for the front soundstage (F/R/C) and Sunfire for the rest. This is going to be a review of the difference I hear in 2-channel listening - not HT. I will post those comments after I watch a good 7.1 surround movie or 2.

The Sunfire gave me a wide and deep soundstage that was very pinpoint. I could point to a "spot" where a voice or instrument was located. The stage seemed about 10 feet deep and started about 5 feet in front of me. Very much like being in the first few rows at a concert. Every once in a while I would hear something to my sides or behind me but not very often.

The Adcom (left and right negatives strapped) gave me an even wider and deeper soundstage but was not as pinpoint. I can point to an "area" where the voice or instrument was located. The stage seems about 20 + feet deep - but this is probably the biggest difference - I feel like I am on the stage. There was a song last night where the piano player was right next to me. To me, it sounds like quality headphones where you are immersed in the music. I also feel there may be a little bit more in the lower frequencies. Hard to tell without a back and forth a/b switch but I think it may have a little more punch.

I cannot say which I like better - yet. I imagine it will come down to how movies sound. I may also get used to the way the Adcom sounds - it is foreign to me at this point. I also understand I am not comparing an amp to an amp. The sunfire may be the closest to an amp in an avr but it is not.

I currently listen to about 75% 2-channel and 25% movies. 2-Channel listening though Squeezebox Duet with Flac.

nooshinjohn

Not suprising that an amp adds depth to the sound of a receiver. I am of the opinion that despite the lack of features, the Sunfire is about as good as a receiver can get for HT, but separates still trump all when it comes to two channel listening. My advice would be to split the rigs and have a dedicated pre for two channel. This will help you realize a dramatic improvement in performance over using an HT receiver to do the job.

squeeb

Hey noosh, sounds great but probably not in the foreseeable future. Maybe after my son goes to college and leaves his "little man cave" (Game Room) maybe I can set up a dedicated 2-channel room. Oh crap - then there will be even more tuition bills. I am definitely enjoying what I have and love experimenting to get the most out of it. And, as always, advice and suggestions from here are helping to drive that. Even to the point where I used to be about 70% HT/30% music to now about 75% music.

nooshinjohn

You can get a pre that has HT bypass. This way you can still get the best of both worlds in the same package.

squeeb

Thanks for the heads up and that's what she said! :biggrin:

squeeb

Well, we watched Cowboys and Aliens (pretty good flick) last night. It sounded really good. I did not notice much difference from the prior set up like the 2-channel but it still sounded good. I especially like the Rel T3 under the new stage for back seating - it felt like a buttkicker in the rear seating. I think I will keep this set up - at least for a little while.

BTW - calling the Sunfire an AVR is like calling a Corvette ZR1 a car. It is an accurate statement but doesn't tell the whole story.