Emotiva XPA-2 compared to sunfire

Fernando1
Fernando1 Posts: 47
edited November 2009 in Electronics
I know this is a stupid question and I probbaly know what the response or preference will be. But I have to ask

How does the Emotiva XPA-2 amp compare with the sunfire amps?

Thanks

Fernando
Post edited by Fernando1 on
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited November 2009
    LOL

    Have heard nothing but great things about Sunfires.

    What speakers will be hooked up to this amp and what's your pre/pro you're using now?

    Also, have you considered throwing Adcom in the mix? How much are you looking to spend....
    Truck setup
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    heiney9 wrote: »
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier. No discussion.:D

    http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/Power-Amplifiers.asp
    http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=3
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited November 2009
    McIntosh and SunFire are ones of the good solid amplifiers. I wouldn't call both of them Best Amplifiers and no discussion....There are literally tens of other amplifiers manufacturer that will put both of them into shame. However, I believe higher end McIntosh amps are pushing closer to Best Amp Category!

    I admire Bob Carver creations and am a huge fan of Carver stuff. SunFire is a very good and solid amp but it all depends on how far you've traveled the audio journey to call it Best.

    All depends on what you wanted to believe in.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited November 2009
    Fernando1, let your ears be a judge of what you prefer between SunFire or EMOTIVA. There are goods and bads to both of them. You'll need to do more research on this topics and use "Search" to find older threads about SunFire and EMOTIVA comparison.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited November 2009
    I would stick with Sunfire. They have a very good rep and have been around for a long time. I am not knocking Emotiva, but if I had $800 and had the choice between a XPA-2 and a Sunfire 300x2 I would buy the Sunfire.

    Oh, wait....I just did that. I bought a Sunfire 300x2 last week. I should have it this week some time.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited November 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    I would stick with Sunfire.

    <snip>

    Oh, wait....I just did that. I bought a Sunfire 300x2 last week. I should have it this week some time.

    So... you like Carver/Sunfire products?

    I couldn't really tell where you might land on the topic. I mean, not from your sig or anything. ;)
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited November 2009
    I heard he likes Sunfire TrueSubs, too... :D
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • gelinas
    gelinas Posts: 226
    edited November 2009
    Fernando1 wrote: »
    I know this is a stupid question and I probbaly know what the response or preference will be. But I have to ask

    How does the Emotiva XPA-2 amp compare with the sunfire amps?

    Thanks

    Fernando

    I've never heard either one in person, but there is no comparison in terms of price. For the money I think the emo is really worth a shot...
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited November 2009
    If some one is going to ask for an opion I am going to give them mine.

    I know I say a lot of the same but I found that I like the sound that Carver and Sunfire make over other equipment in the same price range.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited November 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    If some one is going to ask for an opion I am going to give them mine.

    I know I say a lot of the same but I found that I like the sound that Carver and Sunfire make over other equipment in the same price range.

    Same here. :cool:
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited November 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    If some one is going to ask for an opion I am going to give them mine.

    I know I say a lot of the same but I found that I like the sound that Carver and Sunfire make over other equipment in the same price range.

    We're just playing with ya. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited November 2009
    Sunfire uses Carver’s innovative power supply technology to only draw power when it is needed. This allows the amp to produce large amounts of clean power while running cool, and drawing very little amperage from the circuit. I suspect, but do not know, that the Emo is more traditional in design.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited November 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Sunfire uses Carver’s innovative power supply technology to only draw power when it is needed. This allows the amp to produce large amounts of clean power while running cool, and drawing very little amperage from the circuit. I suspect, but do not know, that the Emo is more traditional in design.

    It is. Torroidal transformer and caps. Meh.
    I have a 20 year old Carver that still sounds good. Not as linear as it must have been in days of yore, but good. Also, I would bet the resale value of the Carver/Sunfire might be a little better.

    /.02
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    Bernal wrote: »
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier. No discussion.:D

    http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/Power-Amplifiers.asp
    http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=3

    LOL- Hardly, but I understand that IS YOUR OPINION.

    I would choose Sunfire over Emo, but I'm really not that impressed with Sunfire either., IMO...........of course.

    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Sunfire uses Carver’s innovative power supply technology to only draw power when it is needed. This allows the amp to produce large amounts of clean power while running cool, and drawing very little amperage from the circuit. I suspect, but do not know, that the Emo is more traditional in design.

    Actually I feel the "innovative power supply" is the achillies heal of most Carver gear. But then I'm a traditionalist and prefer a beefy power supply and single ended class A topology. Never cared for switching rail power supplies.

    I always thought the STASIS topology Nelson developed at Threshold was pretty cool as well as the optical biasing.........but of course those were abandoned and are no longer cutting edge.

    IMO, of course.................YMMV and there are lots and lots of designs out there they all have their pluses and minuses.

    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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  • wetcoast
    wetcoast Posts: 64
    edited November 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    I would stick with Sunfire. They have a very good rep and have been around for a long time. I am not knocking Emotiva, but if I had $800 and had the choice between a XPA-2 and a Sunfire 300x2 I would buy the Sunfire.

    Oh, wait....I just did that. I bought a Sunfire 300x2 last week. I should have it this week some time.

    Around for a long time but how much longer?

    http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=10407
    Speakers: Polk LSi 25, LSiC, LSiFX
    Sub: Maelstrom X 18" DIY
    Amps: Sunfire Sig Seven, Behringer EP-4000
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier.
    Today I use Sunfire
    I am awaiting an Mcintosh.

    http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products...Amplifiers.asp
    http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=3

    01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
    02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's:D
    03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
    04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
    05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
    06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
    07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
    08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
    09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
    10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
    11) VELODYNE OPTIMUN 12" (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    Bernal wrote: »
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier.
    Today I use Sunfire

    http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products...Amplifiers.asp
    http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=3


    See post #15
    "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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited November 2009
    I never found a piece of Sunfire or McIntosh that was worth keeping for all that long.
    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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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »
    See post #15

    My ear is the best judge. Sunfire satisfies me. Thanks;)
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »
    See post #15

    My ear is the best judge. Sunfire satisfies me. Thanks;)


    01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
    02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's:D
    03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
    04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
    05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
    06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
    07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
    08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
    09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
    10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
    11) VELODYNE OPTIMUN 12" (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,010
    edited November 2009
    Bernal wrote: »
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier.

    There is no best. Knowledgeable folks already know that.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    Bernal wrote: »
    My ear is the best judge. Sunfire satisfies me. Thanks;)

    Glad you're happy.............the way you posted made it sound like if we didn't own one or the other we didn't have the BEST :)
    "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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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Glad you're happy.............the way you posted made it sound like if we didn't own one or the other we didn't have the BEST :)
    Thanks;)
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  • Monster Jam
    Monster Jam Posts: 919
    edited November 2009
    Ever noticed the phenomena of how a complete noob comes to Club Polk, asks two months worth of torrential noob questions, and suddenly becomes an expert in all things audio?

    Just sayin'....
    Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited November 2009
    Bernal wrote: »
    Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier. No discussion.:D

    http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/Power-Amplifiers.asp
    http://www.sunfire.com/productdetail.asp?id=3

    Wow, that is a pretty strong statement. I like the McIntosh sound so it may be the best for me and my room but I'd never make such a broad statement as that.

    Some folks like them, some don't. The bottom line is there is no "best" amp out there in my opinion.

    Gordon

    By the way, which amp are you getting?
    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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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,548
    edited November 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Best in audio is usually a matter of opinion, isn't it?
    Where does the two channel Rotel RMB-1572 with its Class D ICE amps fit into this?
    That is the next amp I'm considering.

    I do not know where that amp fits into the the "Best" list, but I am certain that it is better than a Bose Wave Radio:D
    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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