Sunfire 5400 for LSi15s

bbeacham

I am not going to get into this argument of which amp is best, or even if there is some magical upper limit of amp power for LSi15s, and anything beyond that limit is “overkill”. Whatever that is.

However I will say the “overkill” argument is the inverse of the AVRs cannot drive LSi speakers argument. Some of you are hilarious. First you argue AVRs have to little power for LSi speakers, then you argue an amp can have to much power for LSi speakers.

Whatever.

Before I start, as background, my pre-Sunfire setup is a Sony STR-DA7100ES (170W x 7 (I only use 5 channels), at 4 ohms), 4 LSi15s, LSiC, PSW1000, and a 57” Hitachi CRT RPTV (16 x 9) which was recently professionally calibrated (big improvement in picture quality).

I purchased the TGA-5400 two weeks ago and love it. To be honest, the LSi series have sounded great with every AVR I have used (Sony DA5000ES, Denon 3805, Sony DA7100ES), but now they sound “better”. Excuse my lack of adjectives, but feel free to use any adjectives one normally finds in a magazine review for a speaker or amp.

The 7100ES is a superb pre-amp (for now) with plenty of audio and video options. My only gripe with the 7100ES is that Sony will not accept digital SACD input so you need to use either I-link, or 5 analog RCA cables. However, it sounds great with the 5 analog cables.

The LSi15 bass is definitely more pronounced, or tighter, and the overall sound is clearer and more open, at all volume levels. As a side note, when I hooked up the amp I also added 12 gauge jumpers, and kept the original jumpers, between the two sets of LSI speaker inputs. Since I did that at the same time as adding the amp, I cannot attribute if any sonic improvement is from that mod.

Music sounds great at all volume levels, and when I turn it up it does not sound strained, rather it sounds as if the amp is merely getting started (if that makes any sense). Interestingly, the amp makes old CDs, which appear to have been recorded at lower sound levels, sound new. That was a pleasant surprise.

However, the biggest improvement in sound is with DVDs. Dialogue is clearer and more pronounced. The sound stage is more open. The little background sounds (birds chirping, rain falling, foot steps, etc.) that make movies so unique are easier to pick out and detect. Even the center channel sounds better with a wider horizontal, and vertical, range. All in all, it makes for a fantastic movie experience.

I have to give the upgrade a thumbs up. Although I was happy with the AVR performance, and would never tell anyone to not use an AVR with LSi speakers, this amp has made a positive improvement, and being new, along with the 5 year warranty, was worth the cost.

Sunfire TGA-5400 http://www.sunfire.com/TGA5400.html

TGA-5400 review http://www.sunfire.com/downloads/Home%20Theater%20Nov2006%20TGP-5-TGA-5400.pdf

cfrizz

Sorry Dan, I'm not picking a fight with anyone truly.

I think that anyone who wants separate amplification should look on the used market first. I was fortunate enough to get my amp from a member here & my prepro from Audiogon for less than half of what they originally cost.

All of the gear mentioned is great & will get the job done. All of it can be bought on Audiogon at more reasonable prices. On this I think we ALL agree.

Where the disagreement comes in is that some seem to think that gear used for HT is not GOOD enough to warrant any decent expenditure of money. That should be reserved for 2 channel only, and to do so is overkill. This is BS.

And when first read at 1am this morning, it seemed that this is the view point that you were taking. If it is simply a matter of the $3500, vs the $1500 then we agree that the Sunfire should be purchased used at closer to the 1500 it cost for the speakers.

Peace, prosperity & Happy New Year Dan!:)

Cathy

mantis wrote: »

cfrizz,
isn't this exaclty what I said? I'm not the only one who feels this way. Just because you own a Sunfire doesn't mean anyones attacking it or you man. Relax, you own very nice gear. In your opnion dude should spend all that money on an amp and I'm sure you have good reasons. Myself and venomclan disagree.

All good Bro

Dan

cfrizz

Nice review Bbeacham! And very typical of what is discovered with the addition of separate amplification of that much power.

Congrats & enjoy!

mantis

Cathy,
it's all good. It looked like I was attacking the Lsi's in a way that made them seem less of a speaker. My bad. I was purely looking at getting them powered to sound awesome and I felt that it didn't take 3500.00 for a 5 channel amp to get there. All good Cathy.
It's funny how you learn over the years. I wouldn't suggest a used anything as I always felt "NEW" is well NEW. The used market especially how most of us take care of our gear, you basically get quality gear broken in for yeah and ready to go out of the shipping box. it took awhile for me to understand that. Also getting a better deal on things is also a great benefit on the used market. I work in the field and get discounts so I get good deals on my gear.

Happy New year Cathy.

mantis

Sony receivers do very well with 4 ohm loads. I have always been impressed with there es line. Nice stuff. There seperates years ago where fantastic. I miss em.

Dan

PolkWannabie

New = New ... Agreed ... Whatever that means ...

Next time you get deals on new Sunfire 5400's for < $2k be sure and let us know ... I might be able to utilize another in a different room.