Sunfire vs ICE

nooshinjohn
nooshinjohn Posts: 25,549
edited May 2009 in Electronics
I do not want to start a flame war with this post. I am comparing my current rig to a Pioneer Elite...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&item=370195502647

I feel the weakest component in my current setup is my Yamaha and am looking to replace it with something better when I came across this. My question comes down more to the power section of the Pioneer vs. my Sunfire. I concede already that the Pioneer is a far superior piece of gear as a pre/pro is concerned. Am I better off just looking for a better pre/pro or getting the Pioneer and be done with it. I run my setup 70/30 between music/movies.

thanks guys
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
Post edited by nooshinjohn on
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Comments

  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2009
    The Pioneer Ice is COLD and the Sun-FIRE is HOT. Hope this helps.:)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,549
    edited April 2009
    LMAO.... I thought the same thing but being cool can be hot too. Just ask that Hilton chick. Any opinions on the amps?
    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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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    Buy a solid pre and buy a solid amp. Be done with it.
    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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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2009
    I would talk to Sherardp as he has the Ice and Fire setup.
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited April 2009
    John, you don't detail why you "feel" that your 861 is a weak point, since it would appear to be excellent as a pre-pro. If you mean that some processing feature that you want is missing, then consider a receiver which includes it. For example, the Denon and Onkyo receivers which include Audyssey auto-calibration and room equalization.

    As far as the amplification itself, there doesn't appear to be any good reason why your present Sunfire wouldn't be at least as capable as the Pioneer which you mention. There's no special magic in either the "ICE" amplification technology or any other. As long as there's flat 20Hz-20KHz frequency response with inaudibly low noise and distortion(which is typical these days), nothing more is possible from an amplifier.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2009
    All amps that spec 20-20khz with the same distortion specs do not sound the same.
    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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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,786
    edited April 2009
    I think your weakest link would be that you have a surround system with four different series of speakers, and no sub. You'd gain a lot more with just a sub, than from changing your pre or amp.

    Besides, the Sunfire seems to be a great amp, far outperforming the Pioneer.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited April 2009
    I run my SC07 as a pre, I have it paired with Sunfire/D-Sonic Amps. If you want the in your face processing the elite has to offer, go for the SC-05. and use it as pre/pro
    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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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,229
    edited May 2009
    Sherardp wrote: »
    I run my SC07 as a pre, I have it paired with Sunfire/D-Sonic Amps. If you want the in your face processing the elite has to offer, go for the SC-05. and use it as pre/pro

    I agree. You already have a nice amp, why not just add a nice preamp like using the SC-05 or 07.

    Nothing wrong with the SC-09 , I actually am debating if I should buy it myself.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,248
    edited May 2009
    John K. wrote: »
    As long as there's flat 20Hz-20KHz frequency response with inaudibly low noise and distortion(which is typical these days), nothing more is possible from an amplifier.

    That's about as poor of information as you can give..........laughable as well too!!

    Here's some reading for you to explain a few things that makes a great amplifier.

    http://passlabs.com/pdf/articles/leaving_class_a.pdf

    http://passlabs.com/pdf/articles/distortion_and_feedback.pdf

    There's a WHOLE lot more to an amp than flat response and low noise.

    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 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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