The ultimate choice!!!

nooshinjohn
nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
edited March 2009 in Electronics
I have a choice between these two amps and will pull the trigger on one of them in the next two hours, based upon input from you guys:eek:

the first is the Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 7x400... this one most closely fits my current setup, as I run a 7.1 system...

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1241195685&/sunfire-cinema-seven-signature

:D:D:D

The second is on the list simply because it is a fantasic piece of gear and at a great price...

http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-MC7205-MC-7205_W0QQitemZ220378585039QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item220378585039&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

:D:D:D

If I select this one I would still need to amp up on my front mains, which are currently being driven by a Carver TFM-35. this is most attractive to me from a resell standpoint as well as I believe the amo is worth a bit more than the asking price...:p
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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Comments

  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited March 2009
    If the choice were mine I'd go with the Sunfire. I love Bob Carver's stuff. McIntosh stuff is good but not as good a bang for the buck IMHO.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    The Mac, its just far better gear at another level called hi-fi. Why waste money?? Buy the best you can always.....

    oooh I just noticed its e-bay, beware.

    RT1
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    Buyer beware on Ebay, but that aside, the Mac, hands down.

    I've never gotten a good explanation how the carvers somehow put out more wattage than their max consumption....
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    so far two for mac and one for the Sunfire...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2009
    Tough call.............. $2k on e-Bay scares me but the guy looks like a real person. Some of the past buyers screen names look like audio enthusiasts.

    Just to because you will still need to add a 2 ch for your front and it's easy to spend other peoples money I would go with the Sunfire

    Good Luck BTW
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    would you take a chance on the Mac and try and resell on a-gon perhaps? they routinely sell at 2500 there....
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2009
    noo,

    that is the problem, you know its under-valued, why? If the guy is an audio nut then he knows about Audiogon and that this is where hobbiests trade and buy, so why list on e-bay??

    your smart you will figure it out one way or another.

    RT1
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited March 2009
    Does this spec mean something to you for MAC?

    5 x 200 watts (4 ohms) or 5 x 120 watts (8 ohms)

    What speakers are you trying to pair with the MAC?
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • Ender
    Ender Posts: 603
    edited March 2009
    Buy both. Resell the Mc.
    SDA 1C, SDA 2A, SDA SRS 2, CMT-340SE, Swan M200MKII, Swan D1080MKII, Behringer MS40

    Outlaw Audio M2200 x2, GFA 555 II, BGW 750C

    GDA 700, Outlaw Audio Model 990, Sansa Fuze, X-Fi Platinum Fatality
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    would you take a chance on the Mac and try and resell on a-gon perhaps? they routinely sell at 2500 there....

    This should tell you everything you need to know, I think you already have the right answer, you just posted here to see if anyone could talk you into taking the risk on the Mac, that I think you really do not want to do.
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,665
    edited March 2009
    Sunfire.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2009
    Two hours and five minutes. What did you get?
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • hifiaudio
    hifiaudio Posts: 37
    edited March 2009
    The Sunfire seller has zero feedback, so be careful.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    megasat16 wrote: »
    Does this spec mean something to you for MAC?

    5 x 200 watts (4 ohms) or 5 x 120 watts (8 ohms)

    What speakers are you trying to pair with the MAC?

    they will be pushing tsi 100 and monitor 50s for now... will be upgrading to two sets of rti a3s. My fronts are sda-1C's and cs1 center. I plan on replacing t he cs1 with a diy center using 2 mw6511 and an rdo-194
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Two hours and five minutes. What did you get?
    nothing just yet... waiting to get a phone call from the Mac owner. he has already responded to the email I sent him earlier. we will see what happens when I speak to him in person. So far I detect no fraud on this one, but would feel better actaully being able to put a voice to it for that kind of cash.

    I previously had a deal in place to buy the Sunfire amp, but the seller backed out for a deal that was better money, but I guess that deal came apart... I was thinking of getting both and giving each a fair test and selling the other...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    nothing just yet... waiting to get a phone call from the Mac owner. he has already responded to the email I sent him earlier. we will see what happens when I speak to him in person. So far I detect no fraud on this one, but would feel better actaully being able to put a voice to it for that kind of cash.

    I previously had a deal in place to buy the Sunfire amp, but the seller backed out for a deal that was better money, but I guess that deal came apart... I was thinking of getting both and giving each a fair test and selling the other...

    Good call on getting both to try out and sell one back that you prefer less. But if you buy MAC, two advices for you - pay with credit card through PayPal and don't use any kind of Money Order or Cashiers' Check.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    ...update on the Mac. it appears the guy is legit, he called me and answered all my questions , including the one about why he is selling the amp so cheap. He is familiar with Audiogon and knows the range in which these amps sell. He says he got all his Mac stuff off of craigslist from a guy that lost his job(i saw that listing) and that for his needs he has found that his Denon avr does not match up well with the Mac, and prefers the Denon sound over it for H/T... He is selling it for a couple hundred more than he paid for it and is sending updated pictures to me now...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    The Mac looks spectacular with exception for a small nick on the top right of the case in the middle on the fold in the metal cover... I am convinced this is a legit deal at this point...

    descision made...

    I am going to get both as mentioned above and sell the one that loosed my little side by side test. I will run each in my rig for on week, with the amp I do not select being offered here first before it goes to Audiogon...:p
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited March 2009
    That Mac price is just hard to believe. Looked at some of his feedback as a buyer to see what kind of stuff he buys: disc washer, something from: klipschstore, soloxaudio, drvidguy, acoustimac, advanced_theater, stereobooklets. All good feedback as a buyer, so maybe this is not as risky as the price makes it look.

    See the deal is done CONGRATS!
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    yes... I pulled the trigger on the mac. I truly hope that the sunfire comes out on top as I believe I can make a couple bucks on the Mac... One of these amps WILL be for sale here on our wonderful forum so P.M me if anyone is interested in the outcome of my test... I have an offer submitted on the Sunfire as well
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2009
    Sounds like you're playing this very well! I'm looking for an amp myself, but you're out of my price range (500-800) that is?

    We're waiting for the outcome...

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    Sounds like you're playing this very well! I'm looking for an amp myself, but you're out of my price range (500-800) that is?

    We're waiting for the outcome...

    cnh

    thanks!:p The seller on the Mac seems to be very straight forward and honest, but we shall see what happens when it gets here:p

    Still no response from the seller of the Sunfire:confused:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2009
    John asked me to host some pictures of the McIntosh he picked up, so here ya go.:) Looks like a nice specimen. I love the way these amps look...the glowing blue gauges are very nice.;)

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/GetAttachment.jpg[/IMG]"]GetAttachment.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/1.jpg[/IMG]"]1.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/5-1.jpg[/IMG]"]5-1.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/2.jpg[/IMG]"]2.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/3.jpg[/IMG]"]3.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/4-1.jpg[/IMG]"]4-1.jpg[/URL]

    [URL="[IMG]http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/comfortably_curt/6.jpg[/IMG]"]6.jpg[/URL]



    John-You'll be receiving my bill for these services in the mail shortly.;):p
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,588
    edited March 2009
    :eek:John-You'll be receiving my bill for these services in the mail shortly..................................................................................................................

    thanks for the support Curt... but all I wanted to do was help you INCREASE your post count and you want ME to PAY for that?....:mad::p
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2009
    Looks very similar to mine, minus the meters.

    MC126a.jpg
    "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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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    :eek:John-You'll be receiving my bill for these services in the mail shortly..................................................................................................................

    thanks for the support Curt... but all I wanted to do was help you INCREASE your post count and you want ME to PAY for that?....:mad::p

    Well...I suppose that is a fair compromise. I'll forgo the bill this time around. It's gonna cost you next time though!!:p
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited March 2009
    Congrats. That looks like a very nice amp, and should be more than enough to power your speakers.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited March 2009
    nice amp, also you can use photobucket to hose pics in the future as an FYI sort of thing. You definitely made a good choice in the MAC, always been a fan. But since I have my gear mounted in rear of room I wouldn't get to see that pretty face. Nice find and looking forward to a comparison to Sunfire.
    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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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    I find the sunfire's output humorous. How do you get a total of 5600 watts at 4 ohms when it draws no more than 2000 watts very max(20amps@120v). The most efficient of amps are a little better than 90%. I have a bridge going up for sale soon:rolleyes: BTW the rated power output is at clipping. Not RMS.
    Power consumption at 1/8 power is around 600 watts. So what happens at full power? 4800 watts? Over 40 amps. Who has a 40amp outlet at 120v? This is a very good case of a watt not being a watt. All this at less than 50lbs:rolleyes: You can't get past physics. If the claims of 800*7 at 4ohms were true we would have our utility problem solved. Electricity would be free, and we could all drive electric cars for nothing:)
    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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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited March 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    I find the sunfire's output humorous. How do you get a total of 5600 watts at 4 ohms when it draws no more than 2000 watts very max(20amps@120v).

    Glad to see I'm not the only one that's questioned that. They're fine if you like the sound, but just don't buy their specs.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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