Sunfire Standard or Signature Edition

Ah, I just noticed something in the specs...

The Signature Edition is 2 lbs heavier than the Standard Edition. I'm going to weigh them tonight and hope that the top amp is 2 lbs heavier than the bottom amp. That 2 lbs would make it worth at least $500 more. :)

Wish me luck!

They both look like Standard 300-2 models, 5amp fuse and captive power cord.

I’ll check my archives.

The top one appears to be a 1st version Sunfire 300 w/ gold posts, captive power cord (no IEC), no power switch... bottom looks like the later model 300x2 w/ plastic posts, captive power cord, no power switch. Standard models operate at 390 joules (same as photos). These are not Signature Editions.
These are the Sunfire models...

1). Sunfire 300 Load Invariant   1996 -2000 (no switch)
    Sunfire 300 x 2 ... (end of Series 1) IEC, plastic posts.

2). Sunfire Series II 2001 - 03 325w/8, 650w/4
    Architect’s Choice (with on/off)       17” wide

3). Sunfire 300 -Two   2004 300w   19” wide
    - plastic binding posts, diff rear panel L/R layout
    - Balanced design**

Sunfire 600         1997 1200w/4 ohms   19” wide
Sunfire 600-Two   2004

Sunfire Signature     600w   1997   19”wide   $2995
Sunfire Signature II   650w     2001   17” wide
(uses gold spkr terminals).

The Tell-tale sign... model 300 operates at about 390 joules, 600 signature about 470 joules.

Also, back of Sunfire Signature 600
https://www.ukaudiomart.com/details/649279940-sunfire-signature-600-ii-one-of-the-most-powerful-ampl...

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/sunfire-signature-what-is-this

Thanks LowRider57. Good information. I saw the second post you referenced before I started this thread, and I was still confused. Both of my amps have the 19" chassis, and both have the captive power cords. I noticed that in the Series II manual, both the Standard and Signature show IEC connections, and I couldn't find a manual prior to Series II. So I guess I don't have a manual for my amps. Oh well, I bought them right and will likely bridge them and used them both for my B&W 802D's or Martin Logan Odysseys. Those speakers like a lot of power and it sounds like the current source might help them breathe. Then I'm going to sell either my McIntosh MC452, or my Mark Levinson 332 after George Meyer unbricks it. 

Yeah, that’s the same manual that I used. Bridging and bi-amping them is the way to go. I used one amp rated at 300wpc, 600w into my 4 ohm speakers... sounded terrific in my 12’ x 16’ room. Non-fatiguing, wide and deep 3D soundstaging, and a powerful low-end.

A little known fact; these first generation Sunfire’s are not fully-balanced. XLR input is shorted to single-ended. Will you be using balanced cables? This will prevent any ground-loops and provide a lower noise-floor.

Here are specs for these amps...
Sunfire 300 Power Amplifier - Class AB:
- 300 watts/ch into 8 Ohms, 600 watts/ch into 4 Ohms
- frequency response 1 Hz - 80 kHz, balanced and unbalanced inputs
- input impedance 42 kOhm
- Input sensitivity of 1.64V for rated power (300W)
- output impedance 0.01 Ohm (voltage source),
1 Ohm (current source)
- Output voltage (@ 8W) is 48.9V
- Damping factor 150

2nd generation 300-2 is fully-balanced....
- Input sensitivity for rated output:
Unbalanced: 1.64 Vrms,
Balanced: 0.82 Vrms
- XLR Input impedance:
10 kΩ, each leg balanced to ground Female XLR
Pin 1 is ground Pin 2 is positive (hot) Pin 3 is negative (cold)

Notice the difference in input sensitivities.

Hi, probably should start another thread but since Lowrider57 has some very good knowledge of Sunfire Amps will ask here: The 400 fives - how do I tell the newer, maybe signature 2 models? Can I tell by which side the speaker posts are on the back? I see some are grouped on the left and some on the right. Thanks.

I owned a Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 405 X 5 amp for a while and it was signed on the front.  I don't know if that is the case with all the Sunfire amps.

Bob did change the side of the speaker posts on the 5 channel, but I’m not sure which generation is right or left. On the 300-two amp, which is the later series, the binding posts are on the right.

Only the Signature Series amps are signed by Bob on the left side of the faceplate. There are some fakes on the market, so check the style of his signature with pics on Google. There’s no mistaking his real John Hancock.
A Signature amp will be stamped "Signature" on the rear below the fuses. That’s the best way to confirm if you’ve got the real deal.