Sunfire MKII

[Rodeo0530]

I'm looking at a sunfire MKII subwoofer for sale right now on CL and may pick it up today if I can. Selling for $350. It seems like a really good deal to me. I haven't heard too much bad about these, but I have seen some repair issues with them come up in CP forums. Any input is greatly appreciated!

[jon s]

I would not consider buying any Sunfire subs. I have the Mark II as well. They do pump out a lot of bass but the problem is that the amps go bad after a while and Carver wants several hundred dollars to repair/replace them. The caps go bad and some of the componets go bad from the high current (it's a 2700 watt amp with cheap parts) and internal heat. This results in a loud 60Hz buzz from the sub (and it's not a grounding problem, the subs buzz even when unplugged from any source).

This is a well known issue with the Sunfires and the problems appears about three years after use. Sunfire wants the whole sub returned for servicing even though its the amps that are bad. Shipping a sub ain't easy cuz its dang heavy, adding a lot to the cost.

[Rodeo0530]

Hmmm...I kind of thought I would get a response like this. Was hoping I wouldn't though. I guess if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is, huh? I've seen that people have this issue with these subs, but I've also seen that people have reported no problems. Thanks for the input jon.

[thuffman03]

For $350 that is a good deal. I would go for it. Even if you do need to put some $$$ into it after a while you will still be far ahead of the game. A new Sunfire True sub goes for well over $1500 new.

If you don't want it pm me the link and I will call them and drive to pick it up.

[jon s]

I have had bad experiences with Carver... I had a Carver system, TFM-35 power amp and a Carver Pre-amp tuner (can't remember the model number) with a pair of Carver AL-III+ speakers.... The amp and pre-amp would not work together sometimes. One channel would cut out. The stupid thing was that when connected to different equipment, both would work fine... Only when connected together had problems.

The remote would not always work. One of the ALIII+ speakers generated an intermittent buzz in the ribbon drivers.

Opening up the electronics showed that the Carver equipment was a bit simple in design and had cheap components. The amplifier failed with leaking caps after two years and the pre-amp tuner followed a few months later. I returned the speakers to the dealer who was willing to refund the money. He ended up with the speakers in the repair shop for six months waiting for a new ribbon driver. That's how I got my first pair of Polks (RT2000P).

[thuffman03]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experance with Carver equipment Jon. I have had very few issues with mine and everything works well together and sounds great. I have read about issues were the ribbons were not stored in a dry place and they don't like to be in a damp basement and if played when they are in that condition can cause damage. This is the downside of ribbon speakers but the upside is when taken care of they sound great.

As for the amp and preamp I know that mine will need to be serviced in the next few years. The caps have a life of about 20 years and depending on use and enviroment of use can cause them to fail early. Though there are a lot of other amps and pre's out there that suffer the same fate.

[jon s]

Checked the Sunfire site... Sunfire sub repairs are $450 plus shipping. Carver Electronics repairs are $600 plus shipping... Ouch!!

[thuffman03]

Repairs can be expensive. Not sure about the Sunfire sub but that sounds right. For the Carver I think you are seeing the price to repair a ribbon. Bob Carver opened up a shop and is doing repairs on amps and preamps on all Carver and Sunfire amps. Flat fee I think of about $175 plus shipping.

[jon s]

nope...click here (http://www.sunfire.com/warranty.asp)... they don't offer speaker repairs in their pricing...

[thuffman03]

Jon, you are correct on the pricing on the Sunfire site. But Bob Carver and Rita Helm are now doing repairs. Check out the thread on the Carver web site:

http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7093

Much better pricing and you can get Bob to sign your equipment.

[zarrdoss]

I got a refurb off e-bay years ago and after three years got an annoying hum, and found out the cost to repair so sold it as is on e-bay for a fraction of the purchase price, but it did sound great, Then some years later I got an Earthquake with the dual 12" (one passive)and it was much better than the Sunfire but my house got hit by lightning and that was one of the many things that did not make it.

[Rodeo0530]

Well I was going to buy it because I just had that itch even if it was going to go bad at some point, but I got busy for a few hours yesterday and the guy sold it out form under me, but I don't know if I like his ethics anyways. When I was finally able to get back to him yesterday evening, he said that he had a buyer coming today at noon to buy it, but if I could get there within the hour (1 hour drive from here to Columbus, OH) that he would sell it to me. Sounds kind of $hitty of him to want to sell it to someone even if he had committed it to someone already. Oh well, this just makes me patiently look for another sub, but it is very difficult when I'm check the threads on here everyday and I want to buy all kinds of stuff. Must be patient! Thanks for all the help guys.

[thuffman03]

That was pretty bad of him to do that. That was a good price. Keep looking. Another one will pop up on ebay or craigs list for a good price.

[danz1906]

Well I was going to buy it because I just had that itch even if it was going to go bad at some point, but I got busy for a few hours yesterday and the guy sold it out form under me, but I don't know if I like his ethics anyways. When I was finally able to get back to him yesterday evening, he said that he had a buyer coming today at noon to buy it, but if I could get there within the hour (1 hour drive from here to Columbus, OH) that he would sell it to me. Sounds kind of $hitty of him to want to sell it to someone even if he had committed it to someone already. Oh well, this just makes me patiently look for another sub, but it is very difficult when I'm check the threads on here everyday and I want to buy all kinds of stuff. Must be patient! Thanks for all the help guys.

Mannn, that bites. You will find another good deal.
Check out some SVS subs and also Epik subs:D

[Rodeo0530]

I'm looking at all kinds of subs. I think my brain will be scrambled by the time I get done comparing different subs and waiting to find the right price. I think I'm going to continue to wait to find something nice used. By doing this I'm hoping to get a little more sub for a better price. It's so hard to be patient though.

[thuffman03]

Those types of deals do come along but you have to watch and wait.

[Rodeo0530]

I'm watching...and waiting as best I can. How does anyone else stay patient enough to wait for good deals because I'm very excited to keep filling out my HT.

[thuffman03]

Rodeo,

I think this sub is now in my living room. I was at a local vintage HIFI shop here in Pittsburgh and he had a Sunfire True MK II that he did not have a month ago. I talked to him and asked were he got it. He said he went out to Columbus OH and picked it up about the same time we were all talking about it.

[Rodeo0530]

At least someone here got it, but I would have loved to have it instead of you:P How do you like it?

[thuffman03]

It sound great. I got it yesterday and hooked it up this afternoon and have been listening to music all day. It hits so hard that my entire house shakes.

[Rodeo0530]

The more I think about this...I think you should just sell that sub to me out of good faith:P That's awesome for you that it sounds so good! If you ever feel guilty about it though, I'm just over here in Ohio waiting for a nice sub deal to come my way.

[thuffman03]

I did not buy it for $350. I did get it for below market price but that is only because I have bought quite a bit off of this guy over the years. Though I don't think I will be parting with it for a long time. But if I do I let you know first.

[Rodeo0530]

I appreciate it, but I think you're going to be very happy with that sub for a while. Enjoy!

[Monster Jam]

2 cents...

I bought a grey-market Velodyne SPL1200 Series II sub, and as luck would have it, the amp failed.

I called up Velodyne and they told me that the sub was not warrantied due to it being purchased from a non-authorized dealer (I knew this going in to the placed phone call).

BUT, I got a Request For Repair, they coached me through the removal of the amp, and they sent me the box and packing materials to ship the amp in. They returned the repaired amp quickly and even registered my sub. Now I'm legal. Top-notch customer service. And the repairs were relatively inexpensive.

Long story short - consider velodyne.

EDIT:

Looks like I was dollar short and day late. Anyway, good luck with your new gear!