Finally took your advice....

dane_peterson
dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
edited March 2007 in Electronics
After being harassed incessantly by many of you long-term Polkies, I finally found a deal on an amp that I could swallow.
I'm currently making arrangements with an Audiogon member to purchase his Sunfire Cinema Grand 200~Five amplifier. The blessed 200 watts/channel will be upon me. Sweet!

Unfortunately, the subwoofer is going to take the back burner for a month or so. But that's all good and well, as decent amplifier deals come few and far between.

I look forward to experiencing what many of you have described as audio nirvana. Hope it's all it's been cracked up to be! :D
Post edited by dane_peterson on
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2007
    With lsi's I can almost guaranty you will be very happy.
    If your not... (zipped lips)
    I am sure you will enjoy.
    Congrats Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    After being harassed incessantly by many of you long-term Polkies, I finally found a deal on an amp that I could swallow.
    I'm currently making arrangements with an Audiogon member to purchase his Sunfire Cinema Grand 200~Five amplifier. The blessed 200 watts/channel will be upon me. Sweet!

    Unfortunately, the subwoofer is going to take the back burner for a month or so. But that's all good and well, as decent amplifier deals come few and far between.

    I look forward to experiencing what many of you have described as audio nirvana. Hope it's all it's been cracked up to be! :D

    With that kind of power you might not even notice you need a sub.......unless you are doing the HT thing. I'm happy for you. But in grand CP tradition I need to say your next upgrade should be your source. You are well on your way with Lsi's and a great amp, but you'll step it up another couple of notches with a great source. Isn't this hobby fun! ;)

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited February 2007
    Agreed. Since I mostly do movies, the subwoofer is a must. But I agree, I'm going to have to make room for a Denon 3910 or something.
    I'd actually like to get a dedicated BD player, but I haven't really read into how those rate as compared to the nicer regular DVD players. I'll study up when it comes closer to that time.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited February 2007
    WOO HOO!!!! Way to go Dane! You are going to love it & you will never settle for less.

    Eagerly awaiting to hear your report on the Sunfire!:D
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited February 2007
    Congrats on the amp! I'm sure you'll love it, can't wait to hear you report back!

    It trully amazes me how much good quality gear you bought here recently, this site really has made you change for the better!;)

    Please report back with pics!

    Mike
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited February 2007
    But, aren't your LSi-9's for sale on e-bay? What are you replacing them with?
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited February 2007
    Dave, I'm just replacing them with ebony LSi9s. I found a good deal on a brand new pair, and they match my furniture better.

    Mike, Cathy, etc... thanks for the kind words. I too am amazed at how much solid equipment I've purchased over the last 6 months. Where the hell did that money come from, anyway? Lots of advice taken from this forum! When I first got into home audio/video a year ago, I had a HTIB Sony system. Quite a leap from that setup!

    I really look forward to experiencing all this stuff when it arrives. I'll be sure to post some pics in a separate thread, and let's hope now that I'm satisfied for a little while.
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    Well, the amp arrived today. Definitely a noticeable sonic improvement! I had my Denon set to -35dB at startup, and it was significantly louder at startup then when powered by the AVR.

    That being said, I'm afraid I didn't buy from the most reputable buyer. It'll come back to bite you in the **** from time to time. The amp is a bit discolored, and the display light doesn't come on.

    Nonetheless, a great addition to my setup. Just wish it didn't stick out like a sore thumb! :(
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited March 2007
    Congrats Brother. . . now you can push those LSi9s as hard as you like!
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    Well, the amp arrived today. Definitely a noticeable sonic improvement! I had my Denon set to -35dB at startup, and it was significantly louder at startup then when powered by the AVR.

    First off congrats on the new amp. Your findings echo what cathy and myself have found also regarding having to turn down the inital startup volume level. I suggest you report your findings over at audioholics lmaoooo.:p

    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • G-2
    G-2 Posts: 533
    edited March 2007
    Hi Dane, We have a similar setup (as we started with our LSi9's in the front, they were moved to the back and the LSi15's went up front, and then we got an amp that put out 200wpc @4 ohms. It literally brought the speaker to life. We can tell the difference at low volumes as well as higher volumes. The amp you describe should get you right where you want to be with your LSi setup! Good luck and please let us know when you get that Amp into your system! Congrats, going to change the way you look at your LSi's
    Home Theater
    Chane     A3rx-c's, A2rc-c, A1rx-c's|Miller & Kreisel V-125's|Sony XBR65X810C 65" 4K LED TV|
    Earthquake Cinenova Grande-5|Pioneer Elite - VSX-84TXSi-AVR|TRIPPLITE LCR2400|
    Ultrasonic Amp Stand|Blue Jeans,Audioquest,Monster Cables|

    2 - Channel
    Polk     RTA 12c's w/RDO194 TWEETS, clarity ESA caps mills resistors (full mod)|Turntable|
    Anthem MCA 2|Acurus Act 3 Pre Pro|Parasound P/Ph 100|Pioneer Elite N-30|Adcom GDA600|
    Premier Rack|Blue Jeans,Audioquest,Monster Cables|
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    Well, I prewired everything yesterday before it arrived, so it was pretty much a drop in and go type of situation. It's affixed permanently below the LSiC now.
    Today is my birthday. I had the day off to enjoy my system. But I just got a phonecall asking me to come in to work. Yay! :\ I guess I'll be toying with it another day.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2007
    Congrats Dane & Happy Birthday!!!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2007
    :eek: Geez Snow, have a heart! Why would you want Dane to be completely & irrationally flamed about a sound audio choice that makes a difference, by a bunch of quacks on his birthday!:eek: ;):D That's not very nice! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!:D

    snow wrote:
    First off congrats on the new amp. Your findings echo what cathy and myself have found also regarding having to turn down the inital startup volume level. I suggest you report your findings over at audioholics lmaoooo.:p

    REGARDS SNOW
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2007
    Congrats & Happy Birthday!

    Wanna talk about interconects? (just kidding(kinda)):)

    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    ben62670 wrote:
    Congrats & Happy Birthday!

    Wanna talk about interconects? (just kidding(kinda)):)

    Ben

    Sure. What's wrong with my signal cables? :confused:

    Thanks for the birthday wishes, guys. As soon as I get home today, I'm crashing on the couch and listening to some tunes. :)
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    Sure. What's wrong with my signal cables? :confused:

    If you are still using the Signal Cable interconnects and Ultra speaker cables....NOTHING!
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2007
    dane_peterson wrote:
    Sure. What's wrong with my signal cables? :confused:

    Thanks for the birthday wishes, guys. As soon as I get home today, I'm crashing on the couch and listening to some tunes. :)

    I was just kidding. ENJOY your day :)
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited March 2007
    cfrizz wrote:
    :eek: Geez Snow, have a heart! Why would you want Dane to be completely & irrationally flamed about a sound audio choice that makes a difference, by a bunch of quacks on his birthday!:eek: ;):D That's not very nice! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!:D
    Oh geez I didnt realize it was his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY dane.:)

    JK about the audioholics thing lol.


    Perhaps this new amp will do for the time being till you can find something in better condition. I have an amp right now in the shop getting repaired that is truly (butt ugly) But thats ok I plan to stick it in the closet out of view.

    As soon as it its ready, I will sell one of my other nicer looking amps. In my never ending Quest For audio nirvana. That will free up a few shekels for something new. Enjoy your new amp. Think of it as not ugly but a step up and a temporary one till your next find. REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited March 2007
    Happy Birthday Dane!!!
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited March 2007
    I've read that the older Sunfires all have those light issues - you can lamp replacements on eBay for cheep if your so inclined. Discolored? Bah - who cares?! Further, who would even know?!

    I'm jealous of you and your great amp, Dane! Happy Birthday! :)
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2007
    I totally agree. My lamp is out too. But I don't need to see the little needle inside just go from all the way over on the left to all the way over on the right & stay there while the amp is on!

    How is it discolored Dane? They aren't really deep black, more like a dark greyish black.

    So long as it is making your speakers sing, that is ALL that matters!:D
    Monster Jam wrote:
    I've read that the older Sunfires all have those light issues - you can lamp replacements on eBay for cheep if your so inclined. Discolored? Bah - who cares?! Further, who would even know?!

    I'm jealous of you and your great amp, Dane! Happy Birthday! :)
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited March 2007
    It looks like it's been washed with windex too many times. It's kind of purple. I don't really care THAT much... I just had this picture in my head of what my system would look like in the end, and that threw it off a little bit.
    As for the light, I agree. Big freaking deal. :P
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