2. amps-preamps
  3. 1109510065

Upgrade in five channel amplifier

Current System:

Classe SSP 60 Processor
Sunfire Signature Grand Five Channel Amp (Original Version)
Sonus Faber Grand Piano Homes, Solo and rears
Heavily modded Pioneer DVD Player
Velodyne 12" Sub
MAS Speaker and Interconnects

I am overall happy with the sound of my system during movie and concert playback. When I listen in two channel is the problem. The music is uninvolving and I have a hard time listening at length. Thought about replacing the GP Homes but others have convinced me this may not be the way to go. What five channel amp for around 4K used would be more musical than the Sunfire. Listen to mostly jazz and male and female vocalists.

Would I be better off with a excellent two channel amp and a good three channel amp?

Here are some brands that I may consider but have not auditioned:

Theta
Butler Audio
McCormack
Conrad Johnson
Pass
Vecteur

All comments are welcome.
hiflyer
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
My opinion would be that the amp is not the problem, I would place the blame at the pre-amp. Pick up a very good dedicated two channel pre-amp with hometheater pass-through and use it when you listen to two-channel music.

The high-end pre-pro's are pretty good as music pre-amps and are a good step above mid-fi pre-pro's...but, IMO... pretty good is far from very good.

I'm not saying that an amp upgrade is not a benefit...just saying that I would start at the pre-amp.

Dave
geronimo
24 posts
 
You might want to include the AR VT-100, II or III to your list. I highly recommend going the two channel route with a good transport and DAC.
mac10
34 posts
 
While I can't reccomend an upgrade five channel amp, I can confirm you are looking to replace the right component! I've had an extended audition of a Sunfire Cinema 2ch amp with the same results. Uninvolving, lack of detail,a bland piece of work. When I replaced it with a Classe' amp it was if I were listening to the music for the first time.
eldarado
381 posts
 
I second Dave's opinion. I think the pre should be looked at first. I would pick Theta on your current list of amps and add SimAudio Titan to the list. Good luck.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
I have a Sunfire 5 channel 225 watts on my audio system, and I replaced an EAD Powermaster 2000 to reduce the heat output and the rack requirements for that 125lb amp. The Sunfire amps don't do anything wrong with the way they sound (No major sins of being Harsh, Bright, Edgy) but what I have found is they lack the imaging and some pace. Theta amp and EAD amplifier in multichannel would be good. I've had problems with transformers buzzing and humming (not connected to anything so it wasn't a ground humm) from multiple CJ's so your system will dictate whether it does this.

I would however say that Dave is correct you need to look at a good 2 channel preamp or a more musical processor, and then finally a more musical CD player if you don't change processors. Some of the best 2 channel audio you can get out of a processor is from the original EAD Signature which can be had for a bargain and used with your DVD as a transport.

Switching to a 2 channel or three channel amp (been there done that, can be an exercise in patience because of miss matched gain/input sensitivity), so make sure your processor can handle the volume gains. Back channels aren't a big deal, but most 3 channel amps are steps backward from what you already have!
More to discover