Sunfire signature 600 help

[thomasmasi]

Hello to all, I recently purchased 2 Sunfire signature 600's on audiogon. These are the first generation with the attached power cord and 19" version. I must say that this is the first amplifier in a long time that I could hear a significant difference. They are replacing 2 threshold statis 2 amplifiers that were driving my prodigy's. Does anyone know of a reputable shop or individual on the east coast? Preferably south east since I'm in Fort Lauderdale FL. I have used Bill Flannery in the past but he is no longer in business. Also I have searched for a schematic online but have failed. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tom

 

[kmanusa]

There are schematics on "the Carver site" (thecarversite.com) for some of the boards used in the Sunfire amplifiers; however, the info is spotty and not easy to follow. Still, it is better than nothing. I have never found any other source of Sunfire schematics on the web. Sorry, I don't know of anyone on the east coast who can work on Sunfire gear. With Flannery out of business, the only place I know of is Nelion Audio (nelionaudio.com), Greg Garska CEO. However, I believe he is in Michigan. I have had good luck with Nelion, they did an excellent job of refurbing my early model Sunfire 600.

 

[thomasmasi]

Great, thanks for the reply and the information. The more is listen to the Sunfire amplifiers the more I love them. How long ago was your refurb done? Did you notice a major improvement? Thanks again Tom

 

[kmanusa]

Tom, my refurb was done in 2020. I don't recall hearing a major improvement, he had the amp for about 3 months so it was a bit difficult for me to compare before and after given such a long time away. The major reason you want to refurb old Sunfire amps is to avoid a major failure. I had a 300x2 amp that self destructed and was impossible to repair because of damage to the circuit board. There are parts on these amps that are known to fail (like caps) that need to be replaced. Given the complexity of the amps and the lack of publicly available of schematics, it is hard for a private individual to do it themselves.

Bill Flannery and Rita's in Washington State were at one time the only places that were doing these kind of refurbs but they are both out of business now. I don't think there are any others except for Nelion although I have not searched recently.

Regards,
Keith

 

[thomasmasi]

Good morning Keith, I spoke with Greg at Nelion audio and decided to go with them. Their reviews are first rate. I will be sending my signature 600's to him in june. My only dilemma is if I want to send both at the same time which more that likely is what I will be doing. There is another shop Hi Tech audio in Oregon that Bill Flannery recommended on his voice mail. I really appreciate all your help and advice. Thanks Tom

 

[kmanusa]

I had a good experience with Greg so you should be in good hands.

 

[TAD MAN]

Tom, my refurb was done in 2020. I don't recall hearing a major improvement, he had the amp for about 3 months so it was a bit difficult for me to compare before and after given such a long time away. The major reason you want to refurb old Sunfire amps is to avoid a major failure. I had a 300x2 amp that self destructed and was impossible to repair because of damage to the circuit board. There are parts on these amps that are known to fail (like caps) that need to be replaced. Given the complexity of the amps and the lack of publicly available of schematics, it is hard for a private individual to do it themselves.

Bill Flannery and Rita's in Washington State were at one time the only places that were doing these kind of refurbs but they are both out of business now. I don't think there are any others except for Nelion although I have not searched recently.

Regards,
Keith

Hello Tom. This is Rolland from Hi-Tech Audio / Carver Services. We have all of the High Res manuals and all of the OEM parts to service the Sunfire amplifiers including the OEM hexfets used in the downconverter. Bill Flannery retired due to health issues but has been referring all of his customers to us for service on there Sunfire products. We also have all genuine OEM and updated parts for Carver and Phase Linear products. Hope this finds you well. Thank you! Rolland

 

[JonFo]

We also have all genuine OEM and updated parts for Carver and Phase Linear products. Hope this finds you well. Thank you! Rolland

Hi Tom, that is great to hear. I have a Sunfire Cinema Grand signature and a regular CG that will likely need refurbishing in the next year or two. Bill refurbed my Sunfire Stereo amp (1993 vintage) about a decade ago.

Plenty of other Sunfire owners here as well.

 

[JonFo]

I will be sending my signature 600's to him in june.

Hi Thomas, did you have the units serviced? If so, how did it go?

 

[thomasmasi]

Hi Thomas, did you have the units serviced? If so, how did it go?

Good morning JonFo, no I never sent them out. Both are working fine except for one that had a lamp that had gone out. I did open them up and notice some components were changed. I did replace both lamps to led's removed the power cords added IEC outlets and added power switches. My reasoning was 100% shipping, not cost but the possibility of damage since it is cross country and have had more damage recently with shippers (all of them). I am going to put the amplifiers and my Prodigy's (panels were replaced 8/23 by Martin Logan) up for sale soon just moving in a different direction because of age (me) and hearing loss. Good luck and Happy Holidays! Tom

 

[Robert D]

Good morning JonFo, no I never sent them out. Both are working fine except for one that had a lamp that had gone out. I did open them up and notice some components were changed. I did replace both lamps to led's removed the power cords added IEC outlets and added power switches. My reasoning was 100% shipping, not cost but the possibility of damage since it is cross country and have had more damage recently with shippers (all of them). I am going to put the amplifiers and my Prodigy's (panels were replaced 8/23 by Martin Logan) up for sale soon just moving in a different direction because of age (me) and hearing loss. Good luck and Happy Holidays! Tom

How has hearing loss affected your music listening? My mom just got nice hearing aides, but I bet they probably don't sound so great with music. What's your experience? I own a set of Prodigy speakers.

 

[thomasmasi]

How has hearing loss affected your music listening? My mom just got nice hearing aides, but I bet they probably don't sound so great with music. What's your experience? I own a set of Prodigy speakers.

Hello Robert, my hearing loss in my right ear hasn't changed my listening habits much. My tinnitus has a little but mainly I just want to change things in my system this is the reason for the upcoming sale of my Prodigy's, 2 sunfire 600 signature and 2 threshold stasis 2 amplifiers. Getting hearing aids for my Dad helped him immensely. Robert it was nice hearing (no pun intended) from you. Have a great Thanksgiving. Tom

 

[JonFo]

My tinnitus has a little but mainly I just want to change things in my system

I also suffer from tinnitus, which has seriously cut into the number of hours per week I listen to the big system. I hope you find an alternative system that satisfies you.

I can recommend the Apple Airpods Max headset, as it is not only a top-shelf headset but can also be tuned to your own hearing issues, including unbalanced levels and frequency response between ears. Scanning your head using an iPhone will also compute a personalized HRTF so that Atmos and other spatial audio are rendered with greater fidelity.
It's pretty amazing that my $4K Atmos headphone processor (Smyth A16) and $1K electrostatic headset have sat unused for the last year, as the convenience and performance of the Max are such that I'm not compelled to switch.

The Airpods Pro 2 is a less bulky headset that can also double as a hearing aid. Its directional and automatic conversational modes are a boon in noisy environments, and the same EQ/Level and HRTF can be used with those as well.

 

[Robert D]

Hello Robert, my hearing loss in my right ear hasn't changed my listening habits much. My tinnitus has a little but mainly I just want to change things in my system this is the reason for the upcoming sale of my Prodigy's, 2 sunfire 600 signature and 2 threshold stasis 2 amplifiers. Getting hearing aids for my Dad helped him immensely. Robert it was nice hearing (no pun intended) from you. Have a great Thanksgiving. Tom

I've got bothersome tinnitus too, but I've learned to mentally tune it out and it has little effect on me now. Too many loud concerts and my loud Alpine car stereo back in the 80s.

 

[thomasmasi]

I also suffer from tinnitus, which has seriously cut into the number of hours per week I listen to the big system. I hope you find an alternative system that satisfies you.

I can recommend the Apple Airpods Max headset, as it is not only a top-shelf headset but can also be tuned to your own hearing issues, including unbalanced levels and frequency response between ears. Scanning your head using an iPhone will also compute a personalized HRTF so that Atmos and other spatial audio are rendered with greater fidelity.
It's pretty amazing that my $4K Atmos headphone processor (Smyth A16) and $1K electrostatic headset have sat unused for the last year, as the convenience and performance of the Max are such that I'm not compelled to switch.

The Airpods Pro 2 is a less bulky headset that can also double as a hearing aid. Its directional and automatic conversational modes are a boon in noisy environments, and the same EQ/Level and HRTF can be used with those as well.

Good morning JonFo, thanks for your message. I will look into all opinions and options. The tinnitus is not that bad. I have thought about the headphone option since I could pair them also with me phone at the same time. My thinking is I just turned 60 with the panels of my Prodigy's just replaced they will in time depreciate in value so eventually I would rather part with them now then in 10 years or 15 years. Thank you again and not to sound repetitive but to everyone Happy Thanksgiving!