Sunfire TGA5200? Did I make mistake vs Para A51?


OK, I've just ordered a new Sunfire TGA5200 for a ridiculously low price of$1300 (2800 list). I was going to buy a used Parasound A51 or Cary Cinema5 (2300), or even step it up a bit to a Theta Dreadnaught (around 2900), but felt I couldn't pass up the deal, and it saves me some cash to maybe upgrade pre/pro or cd/dvd, or add standalone integrated for 2 channel music. I am much more concerned with two channel music than HT, although I of course want my HT to sound good. It's just not critical. My current system is B&W N803/HTM1/DS7/Sunfire Sub, powered by a Pioneer vsx49tx receiver and fed by Pioneer dv47a. I thought that adding some serious power, especially at 4 ohms, would make a clear improvement. However, my concern is that maybe th Parasound, et al, would have been worth the 75%-100% cost differential over the Sunfire. Did I jump on a good deal at the expense of serious SQ?

Thanks, and looking forward to the broadsides, lol!!!
jeffkad

Showing 1 response by jimjoyce25

My experience is with Sunfire 300s (purchased used @ $800 each). Running one of these amps in stereo is suboptimal: The channel separation and overall sound is much better if you run one channel through each amp. If you then add a superior power cable (in my case Marigo Ultra 5s, more expensive than the amps themselves), these amps become nothing short of sensational.

Being a relatively commercial brand, Sunfires don't fare well on this board. But in my system the Sunfires replaced two mono tube amps from a very highly regarded boutique manufacturer. In fact, there was simply no comparison, the Sunfires were that much better.