Emotiva XPA-2 compared to sunfire

[Fernando1]

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

[kawizx9r]

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....

[Bernal]

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

[megasat16]

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.

[megasat16]

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.

[thuffman03]

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.

[vc69]

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. ;)

[concealer404]

I heard he likes Sunfire TrueSubs, too... :D

[gelinas]

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...

[thuffman03]

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.

[vc69]

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:

[concealer404]

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. ;)

[BlueFox]

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.

[vc69]

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

[heiney9]

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

[heiney9]

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

[wetcoast]

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

[Bernal]

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)

[heiney9]

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

[dorokusai]

I never found a piece of Sunfire or McIntosh that was worth keeping for all that long.

[Bernal]

See post #15

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

[Bernal]

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)

[F1nut]

[B]Sunfire" and "Mcintosh" are best-in amplifier.


There is no best. Knowledgeable folks already know that.

[heiney9]

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 :)

[Bernal]

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;)

[Monster Jam]

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'....

[Hawkeye]

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?

[xcapri79]

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

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.

[nooshinjohn]

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