McIntosh or Sunfire?

mangata572
mangata572 Posts: 52
edited February 2008 in 2 Channel Audio
This may be a silly question, but I was wondering if anyone had experience with Sunfire vs. McIntosh amps for 2-channel?

I currently have a Sunfire 400x5 that I use for my home theater. Then when I want to listen to music, I change the amp over to bi-amp my polk SDA SRS’s. This switching back and forth is obviously not very user friendly! So therefore I have decided to bite the bullet and get a dedicated 2-channel amp.

Used, the Sunfire 600x2 and a McIntosh MC 352 are close to what I am willing to spend. I like the current / voltage source outputs on the Sunfire, but I also like the McIntosh gear also. Any thoughts?
Post edited by mangata572 on
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited January 2008
    I've used a 250w/ch Sunfire with the SRS 2's. It was far from a magical combination, but it sounded good. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but 600 w/ch might be a bit of overkill. I'd look to get a more musical amp for the money than a big powerful Sunfire one.
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  • mangata572
    mangata572 Posts: 52
    edited January 2008
    Thanks...

    So you think the McIntosh MC352 with my Anthem AMV30 would be a good combo for the SDA SRS?
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited January 2008
    I would pick McIntosh over Sunfire
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2008
    McIntosh every day of any week.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited January 2008
    did hell freeze over?
    is there a blue moon?
    have the cows come home?

    Mantis and I agree :)
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2008
    McIntosh.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • mangata572
    mangata572 Posts: 52
    edited January 2008
    Somehow I knew this would be the case, just wanted some sound advice before dropping that kind of green!
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  • BaggedLancer
    BaggedLancer Posts: 6,371
    edited January 2008
    Neither, just send the SDA's to me and you won't have to worry anymore.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2008
    McIntosh.
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2008
    Big McIntosh. You've heard and owned Sunfire, time to move on.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited January 2008
    McIntosh, no question.
    Venom
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited January 2008
    I agree but I dunno, I just never cared all that much for McIntosh cosmetics. It's better now but I just don't dig it.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2008
    I'm with Troy on this one. Normally I like vintage looks and prefer performance over cosmetics, but Mickies are just ugly.
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited January 2008
    The physical build quality of older Mac power amps is the most serious I've seen. They're a great investment for the years if you buy used. New, the prices are insane. Great support, too--they're making new glass faceplates for 35-year-old components.

    I've never thought of them as ugly. Not in line with current trends, but it's a look I like.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2008
    John in MA wrote: »
    I've never thought of them as ugly. Not in line with current trends, but it's a look I like.
    There's a **** for every seat.

    I love the look of the 72xx series, 252, 352, etc... Some of the monos with the HUGE meters are a little much for me. They did have some funny looking components in the 80's also. Don't get me started on the TT... :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited January 2008
    I'm not disagreeing with you about sound/build quality but the cosmetics just don't do it for me. Too gothic.

    When it comes to investing money, audio is a poor place to do it.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited January 2008
    hoosier21 wrote: »
    did hell freeze over?
    is there a blue moon?
    have the cows come home?

    Mantis and I agree :)

    All maybe true but this contest is a no brainer. Actually I would probably take McIntosh over anything else.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2008
    I would also take the Mac.Two totally different sounds.Sunfire is no slouch but to me it lacks that sparkle on the top end.
    Can't help but wonder if you have done any upgrades to your SDA'S.Seems to me those speaks should shine with either amp.They are up there in age ya know.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • mangata572
    mangata572 Posts: 52
    edited January 2008
    Nope, SDA's are as original as the day they rolled off the showroom floor. At least that is what the original owner told me.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited January 2008
    I have the 352 for my 2 channel gig. If the tax return is as cool as I think this year, I'm going to trade it in for 2 501's. I love the Mac sound and the look.

    I used to be a fair tweaker but once I took the plunge into Mac, I don't touch a thing except to turn it on ond off.

    I'm going to go to the 501's because I like the look of 2 seperate amps in the rack.

    Customer service is awesome. I had a problem with my cd player. I called Mac. They told me to give them an hour. Called me back and said take it back to the dealer and he'll give you another one. Sure enough, dealer had it waiting for me when I got there.
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited February 2008
    McIntosh get's my vote.
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  • jazzisnumberone
    jazzisnumberone Posts: 53
    edited February 2008
    McIntosh all day long..
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited February 2008
    and twice on Sunday. 3 times on Monday and 2 more times all other days of the week.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited February 2008
    get a McIntosh, dude
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited February 2008
    McIntosh, quality sound and the best investment you can make. Resale value for Mc's is outstanding.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2008
    TroyD wrote: »
    I'm not disagreeing with you about sound/build quality but the cosmetics just don't do it for me. Too gothic.

    BDT

    agreed, fugly, and its not the end all of audio.

    RT1
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2008
    Once you've acquired a MAC, you have offically arrived in "audiophila" heaven. :) I'm still working on it.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • BAD ASP
    BAD ASP Posts: 361
    edited February 2008
    My first choice was Mac but as my first entry into separates was a bit of sticker shock I decided to look at others and ended up choosing Sunfire. To say that I settled for the Sunfire would be unfair. I decided Sunfire as the bang for the buck fit my needs. When I move on, in this wacky world of Audiophilia, I will step up to a Mac and probably hold there. Good luck with your ultimate decision but it sure seems as though I'm not alone in the evaluation of the Mac.
    Home Theater
    Amp: sunfire cinema grand signature 5ch 425 wpc
    Side surround amp: Sunfire 2 X 300
    Processor: sunfire theater grand V
    Fronts:: polk sda-srs 1.2
    Rears: Polk LSiFX
    Side surrounds: Fxi5
    Center: (2)polk LSiC's
    Sub: svs pb-13 rosenut
    Hd-Dvd: toshiba xa-2
    Blue Ray: oppo bdp83se
    Projector: sony vw60
    Screen: Da-Lite 106"
    APC S20 Power conditioner
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  • Videonut
    Videonut Posts: 1
    edited February 2008
    I've just spent the last three months in Upgrade Hell. The main lesson I've learned was to never believe reviews from the self proclaimed audio gurus; they've cost me several hundred bucks in return shipping fees alone.

    It began when I read glowing reviews about the Parasound A-21, which turned out to be a very harsh sounding amp that led me into a search for speakers that would supposedly improve the A21's sound. This never came to pass. And I suffered through the task of locating and auditioning other supposedly high-end quality speakers and amps. Some equipment can only be purchased on the web, and others, such as Paradigm speakers, were not easy to find for an audition in my area (it took a two hour car ride to listen to certain models).

    I wonder what many snob reviewers would say if they learned that I'd finally settled on a set of Polk LS1 15 speakers for my primary music listening?

    I've also decided to go with a McIntosh C45 preamp and a MC 402 power amp that supplies a minimum of 400 watts per channel into the 4 ohm Polks.

    What can I say; hearing is believing, and many jaws drop when I turn this system on.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited February 2008
    It sounds like a stellar setup. Welcome to the Club.

    Pics Please.:)
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