2. amps-preamps
  3. 1241027845

What's wrong? Nuforce/Capri no better than Sunfire

Preface: this is regarding 2 channel analogue SQ.
OK. I know it's very early in the comparison process, and I've "only" critically listened for 2-3 hours. But whereas listening to speakers has shown clear differences (to a point), and the move up the B&W ladder from 9NTs to N803s was SIGNIFICANT, I'm at a loss on the amp/preamp. The jump from my old $4k Pioneer flagship HT rcvr to the Sunfire TGA5200 was very significant. Less significant but noticeable was the jump from the Pio as preamp to the Sunfire TGP5 as pre. I then read a lot about how a good 2 channel pre would crush an HT pre/pro. So I got the Jeff Rowland Capri. Have listened for quite some time and struggled mightily to justify the Capri, but I just don't hear ANY major improvement. Maybe some VERY subtle things, but I can't even be sure of that. I also read that a good 2 channel amp would crush a multi-channel amp. So I just picked up the Nuforce ref 9SEv2, and I've gone back and forth with the TGA5200, unscientifically, but again, I don't hear any major difference, whether through the Capri or the Sunfire TGP5. Am I just missing "golden ears" and reached the audio equivalent of the Peter Principal" (rising to my level of incompetence)? Is the Sunfire stuff just that good? Is the old claim that all good amps/preamps should sound similar true? It just strikes me as odd that so many people on these audio boards hear huge differences and I don't. What's wrong?
jeffkad

Showing 2 responses by dcrugby

dcrugby
96 posts
 
well, there's nothing wrong with jeffkad's ears, sunfires are very good. in fact, i have had all the components you talk about and have kept the sunfires and no longer have the others. the flexibility of the tgp5 is great.

to me, they're all good components and preferring sunfires (or at least finding them equivalent) to the nuforce/capris is basically like preferring an audi to a bmw - same quality level.

now, if you'd preferred, say, an old sony receiver, i'd be puzzled...
dcrugby
96 posts
 
oh, man, i've never liked the voltage output on my sunfire anywhere near as well as i've liked the current output and i've had quite a few speakers to try them on.

they sound good on bass drivers, but not as good on the mids and tweeters, IMHO. the configuration is fun to play with, though.

if i recall, the surrounds are all voltage, but it doesn't matter as much there. the cinema grand mark ii has the optional current output for the center channel as well, where some iterations of the amp don't (i later discovered i don't like center channels on principle, but that's a different story...).

good stuff, glad you're having fun.
More to discover