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Linn Majik DSI into Sunfire 300x2 strange result

I would appreciate any opinions , hints regarding the following scenario I tested the last days and got fuly frustrated. Some background infos first:

My system consists of a Linn Majik DSI integrated streamer (means has own amp) and Wilson Benesch Discovery speakers. Cables are Nordost.

As I assumed the Linn Majik DSI amplification section to be suboptimal for the speakers, I decided to experiment with an external amplifier and picked-up a Sunfire 300x2 opportunity, latest model from 200x (just shortly praised on Arthur Salvatore Readers letters but also on Audiogon). Cable was Neotech copper and I had to use the PRE OUT of the Majik, as this output is the only one subject to its volume control. The WB speakers were connected first on current and finaly on voltage posts, no difference in the phenomenon I will describe below.

For those of you not familair with the Majik DSI sound, I would qualify it as being more on the darker side. Although the sound isn't really bad, I have the feeling that the bass is somehow boomy, uncontrolled.

The result of the Majik+Sunfire combo was an incredible bright/harsh sound with exagerated highs, a more controlled bass, but the highs were so "loud" (even at normal levels) that these seemed to overlay everything. On the other side the Sunfire is known to be an excellent bass performer, ....but the bass was not sooo deep. In a nutshell, I had the impression that the whole sound spectrum was "raised into the higher frequencies" and very agressive.

Switching back to the Majik amp, of course the balanced sound returned.

Any idea if this might be a kind of mismatch between the Majik output and the Sunfire input? Or perhaps between Sunfire and Wilson Benesch Discoveries ( an audioasylum fellow hinted me at an observation done recently by a Sunfire 600 owner that had a very harsh sound with Legacy speakers, a horrible combination obviously). One the one hand I can't believe the Linn DAC/pre section can be so bad (despite its digital volume control) and neither that the Sunfire sounds so harsh/unbalanced...what could be the cause for such a behaviour?

Many thanks to you guys for any hint, opinion...

Adrian
livcio
livcio OP
3 posts
 
Thanks again! I really appreciate your opinion....well, your question is a good one, I had the same thoughts. I purchased the amp from the former german Bob Carver reseller (I live in Bonn, Germany) , this reseller was the Thiel-Accuton company , you might heard about them, they are known because of their ceramic drivers for example. They ocasionally used the amp as a demo and then many years of " shelf life" followed, so no usage for many years....
I will get the chance to test it in the near future in a friends system consisting of ASR Emitter and Magnepan 3.7. As the Emitter is a very neutral amp, I hope to get a better picture concerning to the question: is the Sunfire the problem... Yesterday I tried unsuccesfully more than once to reach a Sunfire repair service "Rita's..." I found in a forum...no one answered...not sure if they can be reached by e-mail?!
My best regards, Adrian
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Bob(Carver) and Rita's is now closed. Repairs are being referred to other shops. I have an idea...try posting on this forum:
http://thecarversite.com/

They are Carver experts. Ask the same question and maybe they can diagnosis the problem. I think they will first say to hook-up the Sunfire to a friend's system who has a external preamp. Since your 300 was not in use for awhile, maybe some caps are bad.
Also, I think u should ask Linn about Majik to external amp hookup.
And keep me posted.
rpfef
110 posts
 
Repair for virtually all Carver and Sunfire electronics is available from Hi Tech Audio in Gresham, OR.
rpfef
110 posts
 
Rita's is closed permanently I believe.
Best place for Sunfire repair is in Oregon: carveraudiorepair@gmail.com.
Phone: 503-618-7605.
Good Luck.
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