Sherbourn 7/2100A, are these good?

Skynut · May 2005

I am looking into getting an amp to take the load off my onkyo and am interested in advice from the experts here.

Is Sherbourn a good company to buy?
Is this amp worth $1600.00 used?

The 7/2100A weighs an astounding 115 pounds and features the worlds first seven mono block, seven toroidal transformer amplifier. This brute will output a massive 2.1 kW and comes with two power cords to ensure that you can pull all of the needed power from two outlets, which eliminates the need to install a special 20-amp circuit. Sherbourn uses only the finest components, including fifty-six bi-polar Mosfet transistors and has an over 150,000 microfarad capacitance. The rear panel includes XLR and RCA inputs, gold plated five-way binding posts and a low voltage trigger input. Unique to Sherbourn is our LDS, (Load Detection System) that allows the amp to sample the signal before powering up and will detect if the load is within safe parameters.

thanks for any input or opinions.

pmlewis · May 2005

So you need 2 15A circuits instead of 1 20A? I'm not an Electrician but I don't see the advantage of two power cords unless you have two separate lines to pull the power from. Even if the cords were in different sockets, it would still blow your 15A. It would seem the same amount of work to run a second 15A line or change the existing to 20A. Seems like a gimmick. Just a thought.

AsSiMiLaTeD · May 2005

Originally posted by pmlewis
So you need 2 15A circuits instead of 1 20A? I'm not an Electrician but I don't see the advantage of two power cords unless you have two separate lines to pull the power from. Even if the cords were in different sockets, it would still blow your 15A. It would seem the same amount of work to run a second 15A line or change the existing to 20A. Seems like a gimmick. Just a thought.

funny, that was my first thought as well...but I'm no electrician either...

I supposed it would be beneficial if you could run to two different sockets that are on different breakers in the same box, so that you don't throw a single breaker...but I doubt even that makes sense...

jmierzur · May 2005

Gimmick? No. If you want to utilize the full output capabilities of the amp, it requires lots of power; two 15 amp circuits. That's all.

Sorry, don't know about the pricing of the units new or used.

As per user manual:

Many homes have double outlet sockets which are
supported by one 15 amp circuit. If you are using 4
ohm speakers, and you like the amplifier to play
very loud through each speaker, (Warning : Exposing
your ears to continuous loud levels of sound
may result in serious permanent hearing loss) it
will be necessary to use two different power supply
outlets EACH of which should be supplying
separate 15 amp circuits. This is the reason for supplying
the two power cords with different lengths.
If your speakers are 8 ohm impedance, you can
connect both power cords to the same double outlet
15 amp circuit. You are strongly advised to check
with your authorized Sherbourn dealer to ensure
that you are making the correct connection to your
available wall outlets.

AsSiMiLaTeD · May 2005

that just doesn't make sense to me. Your house only has 1 15 amp breaker box, ultimately that's your bottleneck right? So what good does dual power do you unless you're plugging in to two outlets which are run off two different breaker boxes?

faster100 · May 2005

A breaker box can have a 80, 100, 150 amp service... the whole house doesnt run on 15 amps... unless im reading you wrong.. each breaker in the box can be 10,15 or 20 amp i think... each will provide that amperage before it will blow. But the reasoning from that amp maker doesnt sound right

polkatese · May 2005

Regardless whether it's a gimmick or not, when I auditioned it a couple years ago, I was very impressed. It bested B&K 200.7 by a slight margin (in details and tightness of bass), and if you've heard Ref 200.7, you'll agree that is one very nice power amp. Sherbourn shared a manufacturing source with Outlaw, well, at least that was true two years ago. I think $1600 used is fair, I can get those new for $2300 (again, back then).

jmierzur · May 2005

"Your house only has 1 15 amp breaker box"

We have a 200 amp service to our house.

"So what good does dual power do you unless you're plugging in to two outlets which are run off two different breaker boxes?"

If you are using 4
ohm speakers, and you like the amplifier to play
very loud through each speaker, (...) it
will be necessary to use two different power supply
outlets EACH of which should be supplying
separate 15 amp circuits.

They are trying to say seperate 15 amp circuits. As I said before, if you want to utilize the FULL output capabilities of the amp, it requires more than one 15 amp service. Instead of wiring a 20 amp service, they allow you to use two 15 amp services.

An example of another amp having this reqirement is the Anthem P5.

AsSiMiLaTeD · May 2005

like I said, I'm no electrician...

Skynut · May 2005

I have been doing some research and the dual plug thing makes sense to me. The website says this is only necessary when using 4 ohm speakers at loud volumes.
I believe it also comes with 2 different length chords so you can reach another outlet on a different ciruit.
I think I will try to offer him a little less and see if he will go for it.
He lives 2 hours away and prefers local pickup.

polkatese: thanks for letting me know you think it is a good amp.

I do not know where I can go hear one and am really considering this one.

Dennis Gardner · May 2005

Seperate circuits work great to spread the draw across the breaker box bars. You could even insure that the circuits come from different sides of your box which seperates the current draw even more. (220 volts is simply 2 seperate lines of 110V side by side)All houses that have 220 available have 2-110V sides.

Just make sure you have a good common ground on both circuits, or you may have a ground loop hum, buzz, or video interference that could drive you crazy. This is important as not all audio/video equipment lifts or isolates the ground the same.

Skynut · May 2005

Thanks all, I have sent him a second offer, below the asking price and I hope it does not offend him too much.
I really want this amp and if he will go for it I will pick it up this weekend.
I simply can not afford $1600.00 right now, I have stretched quite a bit to get to where I am and if he doesn't go for it I will give up for now.

Mazeroth · May 2005

That is a VERY nice amp

madmax · May 2005

Keep after it even if you have to scrounge a little. My first serious amps were some Carvers which draw a lot of current. It it different than what you may be thinking. Super high current quick hits is the key. The carvers hit hard and flashed the lights but it is all transients, not continious draw. However you hook them up is fine. Good luck!
madmax

Skynut · May 2005

I made him a second offer of $1300.00 and now just have to wait.
If he says no I will understand but I really want a nice amp.

Any suggestions for something else?

polkatese · May 2005

skynut, just remember that amps in this class will put out enough heat for a small room, so if you get one, do not put them on a rack, shelf, or enclosed wall units. And if that is not an option, add a small fan to help circulate the air.

Most power amps in this class will be priced in the same range, AFAIK, so if you can live with less wattage/amperage, then that is what you need to do. Check out used Rotel, B&K, Outlaw, and do your search on audiogon. Good luck...

Skynut · May 2005

Okay, I do not know what to do.
He says he will take $1450.00.
I can do it but I am getting married in 4 weeks and need cash .

I am soo confused right now.
I really want to but it is not too smart.

It is probably too much amp but that is unheard of.

HELP ME, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The next 5 posts will decide for me.
Please vote now.
The majority wins.:D

Dennis Gardner · May 2005

My advice is that you can never have too much money to get married on.

Used amps will only get cheaper. If you buying it puts you in a bind, it will become a curse and you may have to sell it for less than you paid.

Remember, it isn't the $150 difference that is the problem here, it is the $1300 "good deal" that you can't really swing. You won't hear $1.3K worth of improvement if it straps your finances.

You're just experiencing a bad case of AV addiction right now during a stressful time. Pass this one up, there will always be great deals on used gear! She will be proud of you for making the mature decision too, as a side benefit.

Just advice from a fellow addict,

DG

Skynut · May 2005

excellent advice, not what I wanted to hear but very intelligent.
I have been talking to her about it and she wants me to be happy.
I just do not want to wait.
I probably will wait though.
We will see.
I need to know by tomorrow.

Thanks for the level headed advice.

TroyD · May 2005

If you are patient, you can put together 7 channels of BETTER amplification cheaper.

Time and patience.

BDT

Earthy · May 2005

Originally posted by TroyD
you can put together 7 channels of BETTER amplification cheaper.

I would like to hear more about that.... Perhaps it's been covered in another thread, or needs to be.

Skynut · May 2005

Originally posted by TroyD
If you are patient, you can put together 7 channels of BETTER amplification cheaper.

Time and patience.

BDT

I would like to know more about this also.
I am interested in big clean power but the room my system is in really does not need much more than I have. I just want to see what a seprate amp of high quality sounds like. I guess that is part of this addiction problem.:D

Emlyn · May 2005

Originally posted by Skynut
The next 5 posts will decide for me.
Please vote now.
The majority wins.:D

Pass. Spend the money on your honeymoon.

I agree with Troy. I've found a high quality two channel amp and a lesser output five channel amp work better for me, and I won't blow a nut lifting either one. Conserve your energy.

Skynut · May 2005

Alright then it is settled, not the way I wanted but probably the smartest way.
The first 3 post pretty much sum it up,
I am going to pass.
There will be deals in the future when things are a bit more stable.

If anyone is interested this is the sherbourn on Audiogon.

Sherbourn

I am not planning to buy it.

Thanks for the solid advice.

dave shepard · May 2005

I see you made a choice to not get the amp. I have that amp and have had it for a while now and can say it dosen't run hot at all like any amp it will get warm but will not even get close to frying an egg and I have tried running it hard (or at least till I couldn't take how loud it pushed my speakers in 7 channel), I had it about 80-85% volume and it never distorted or even sounded like it was straining in the least. It does come with 2 power cords of equal length and I have mine wired to 2-20amp dedecated outlets for when I want to let it rip it can pull all the power needed at those volumes. It does weigh a little but how many times do you think you'll really be moving it once you have it set. I have moved it from time to time but I mounted floor sliders under my rack and it moves easly when I have to get behind it for what ever reason. I bought the amp blind (didn't listen to one first) but the amp performs as all the reviews say. I sometimes like to turn it up from time to time and I can't take what this amp can push. I came in late to this thread but just state this so if you do deside to get something it is worth a look. I am looking to replace parts of my system to try other pieces but am unsure about the amp because it performs that good.

Dave

Skynut · May 2005

Dave,
Thanks for the input. I really wanted to buy it but now is probably not the best time.
I will be keeping it in mind when I start to look again. (probably in the next month or two)
I was worried about the heat because it will need to be in my rack. I am aquiring 2 teenagers with my marrige and need to be able to lock my system away from them. (actually one is thirteen and the other is ten and will be a teen before long)
I will have to do more research to make sure this is the one for me but it sure seems nice.

Thanks again.
Sky

P.S. if you decide to sell the amp, keep me in mind.:D

Airplay355 · May 2005

don't lock your system away from them, share the addiction. im an addicted teen, sid's beyond an addicted teen, and theres a few others out there lurking. share the wealth

Skynut · May 2005

Originally posted by Airplay355
don't lock your system away from them, share the addiction. im an addicted teen, sid's beyond an addicted teen, and theres a few others out there lurking. share the wealth

When they get a little older I may let them push some buttons but I know when I was little I would have blown my hearing out with this system and no one home.
And I am not even near finnishing it.
I will probably build them a hand-me-down system as I upgrade.

audiobliss · May 2005

Man, that's an awesome amp! However, I really think you made the best choice by deciding to wait to get an amp.

As an addicted teen (:D), I'd say share the wealth, also. However, I'd say some kind of a hand-me-down system would be just fine; especially if they don't really appreciate music and fine audio reproduction. I agree that when left alone, they'd probably blow their ears out; I'm sure I would.

Not to mention that they could mess up your equipment!! :eek:

Good luck with the wedding/honeymoon/marriage!

Skynut · May 2005

audiobliss

Thanks for the congrats.:p
I am sure if they get into it with me I will share the welth. Maybe I will set the max volume control and hope they never find it.:mad:
There is a game room in our house and It will be getting all the hand me down stuph for anyone to play with and if they break anything they will do without.;)

Sherbourn 7/2100A, are these good?

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