Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Hi guys. I'm new here. I would like to know if there is a difference in internal parts and sound quality between these two amps, other than the obvious doubling of power. I'm using a std. Cinema Grand to power my ALiii's and am thinking about upgrading to the Sig. Model(5x405). Thanks for your help.
- TNRabbit
- R.I.P. Friend
- Posts: 13360
- Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 11:53 am
- Location: TN Native Languishing in VA
- Contact:
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
The main difference is the Sig model has more output devices. Probably upgraded caps & power supply as well.
TNRabbit

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.

From FrankieD's lips to your ears: Sunfire - a quiet box of endless power.
Sunfire TG-IV/400~7 Amp
Carver SD/A-360 CDP
Benchmark DAC-1
Sony SACD/DVD-A
Active bi-amp: Ashly XR-1001 & 2 Rane PEQ-15s
Main: HotRodded AL-IIIs
Sub: Klipsch RT-12d
Center: Sunfire CRS-3c
Surround: Sunfire CRS-3 (x 2)
OconeeOrange wrote:"Gary likes to play it 'loud' as do I. His system begs you turn it up until you die"
RIP WIlliam B. Dibble, 1948-2012. I'll miss you my friend.
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Thanks for the info.TNRabbit wrote:The main difference is the Sig model has more output devices. Probably upgraded caps & power supply as well.
Bob
- thuffman03
- !! CarverFest Evictee !!
- Posts: 2701
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:07 am
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
The difference between the two amps is really just power. I have owned both and the Cinema Grand and the Cinema Grand Signature and both have the same sound, but the Signature is double the power. Cinema Gran is 200 wpc while the Signature is at least 400 wpc into 8 ohms.
IMO, both are good amps and will power your speakers fine. You most likely not hear any difference and the volume level between them will be pretty close but you will not be taxing the Signature as much when you play it loud as it has more power in reserve.
Now I prefer the Sunfire 600 on ALIII's. I like the sound better. I think it is voiced differently for stereo and not for home theater. Just my opinion.
IMO, both are good amps and will power your speakers fine. You most likely not hear any difference and the volume level between them will be pretty close but you will not be taxing the Signature as much when you play it loud as it has more power in reserve.
Now I prefer the Sunfire 600 on ALIII's. I like the sound better. I think it is voiced differently for stereo and not for home theater. Just my opinion.
Some cool Carver stuff!
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Hey Bob where in SW Mi do you live I'm in the down river area
Ray
Ray
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
I appreciate your opinion , since you owned both amps. You say they have the same sound, but the Sunfire 600 sounds better to you. Does the 600 stereo amp have the same sound as the 300 stereo amp? The 600x2 is really hard to find in good condition. Maybe I could bi-amp using 2 channels of the Cinema Grand for the bass, and use a 300x2 for the ribbons.thuffman03 wrote:The difference between the two amps is really just power. I have owned both and the Cinema Grand and the Cinema Grand Signature and both have the same sound, but the Signature is double the power. Cinema Gran is 200 wpc while the Signature is at least 400 wpc into 8 ohms.
IMO, both are good amps and will power your speakers fine. You most likely not hear any difference and the volume level between them will be pretty close but you will not be taxing the Signature as much when you play it loud as it has more power in reserve.
Now I prefer the Sunfire 600 on ALIII's. I like the sound better. I think it is voiced differently for stereo and not for home theater. Just my opinion.
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Having owned a 300x2 (series 1), and now a 625x2 (series 2). For some reason I do believe that the 625x2 does sound betterBobSmi57 wrote: I appreciate your opinion , since you owned both amps. You say they have the same sound, but the Sunfire 600 sounds better to you. Does the 600 stereo amp have the same sound as the 300 stereo amp? The 600x2 is really hard to find in good condition. Maybe I could bi-amp using 2 channels of the Cinema Grand for the bass, and use a 300x2 for the ribbons.
EVEN at lower volumes.
I think that the mids are smother in the 625x2 than the 300x2.
Brian
VPI Classic Turntable (black)
Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge
Devialet 440PRO Mono Blocks
Audioprana SP/DIF-AES/EBU cable
Aurender N100H Music Server
Audioquest Diamond USB cable
B&W 803D3 Speakers (black)
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cables
Raysonic CD-168 CDP (silver)
Carver TX11
Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge
Devialet 440PRO Mono Blocks
Audioprana SP/DIF-AES/EBU cable
Aurender N100H Music Server
Audioquest Diamond USB cable
B&W 803D3 Speakers (black)
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cables
Raysonic CD-168 CDP (silver)
Carver TX11
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
I'm on the West side of the state, near St. Joseph.wrstps wrote:Hey Bob where in SW Mi do you live I'm in the down river area
Ray
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Thanks, Brian. Maybe I'll just keep looking for the 600x2. I know Kingman likes his, too.BrianT wrote:Having owned a 300x2 (series 1), and now a 625x2 (series 2). For some reason I do believe that the 625x2 does sound betterBobSmi57 wrote: I appreciate your opinion , since you owned both amps. You say they have the same sound, but the Sunfire 600 sounds better to you. Does the 600 stereo amp have the same sound as the 300 stereo amp? The 600x2 is really hard to find in good condition. Maybe I could bi-amp using 2 channels of the Cinema Grand for the bass, and use a 300x2 for the ribbons.
EVEN at lower volumes.
I think that the mids are smother in the 625x2 than the 300x2.
Brian
Bob
- kingman
- (pair of) SILVER-7 TUBE AMPs
- Posts: 6359
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:10 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
That would be correct....
In reality, it only matters what it sounds like to YOU!!!
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
Bob
Check your PM
Check your PM
VPI Classic Turntable (black)
Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge
Devialet 440PRO Mono Blocks
Audioprana SP/DIF-AES/EBU cable
Aurender N100H Music Server
Audioquest Diamond USB cable
B&W 803D3 Speakers (black)
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cables
Raysonic CD-168 CDP (silver)
Carver TX11
Transfiguration Phoenix Cartridge
Devialet 440PRO Mono Blocks
Audioprana SP/DIF-AES/EBU cable
Aurender N100H Music Server
Audioquest Diamond USB cable
B&W 803D3 Speakers (black)
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cables
Raysonic CD-168 CDP (silver)
Carver TX11
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
I've owned a lot of Carver gear, but not any of the Sunfire. The 600x2 has always been a DREAM of mine. But that will probably be a long way down the road. First on my list is the Sunfire Tube Pre
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
I find that the Signatures seem to have a bit more pronounced and forward midrange over the non signature models, more so with the stereo amplifiers. If money were no object I would prefer a Signature amp. The Cinema Grands are very close in sound so unless you need more power anyway it would be hard to justify the additional cost in my opinion.
Oppo Sonica DAC
Sunfire TG-III
Sunfire 300x2
Klipsch Chorus II
Sunfire TG-III
Sunfire 300x2
Klipsch Chorus II
-
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
- Posts: 2652
- Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:56 pm
- Location: manning, sc
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
I agree. The same, but not the same in five versus two channel sunfire.thuffman03 wrote:The difference between the two amps is really just power. I have owned both and the Cinema Grand and the Cinema Grand Signature and both have the same sound, but the Signature is double the power. Cinema Gran is 200 wpc while the Signature is at least 400 wpc into 8 ohms.
IMO, both are good amps and will power your speakers fine. You most likely not hear any difference and the volume level between them will be pretty close but you will not be taxing the Signature as much when you play it loud as it has more power in reserve.
Now I prefer the Sunfire 600 on ALIII's. I like the sound better. I think it is voiced differently for stereo and not for home theater. Just my opinion.
CarverFest: I just go for the arts and crafts
-
- SILVER-7 TUBE AMP
- Posts: 2652
- Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:56 pm
- Location: manning, sc
Re: Sunfire Cin. Grand vs. Cin. Grand Sig.
BobSmi57 wrote:I appreciate your opinion , since you owned both amps. You say they have the same sound, but the Sunfire 600 sounds better to you. Does the 600 stereo amp have the same sound as the 300 stereo amp? The 600x2 is really hard to find in good condition. Maybe I could bi-amp using 2 channels of the Cinema Grand for the bass, and use a 300x2 for the ribbons.thuffman03 wrote:The difference between the two amps is really just power. I have owned both and the Cinema Grand and the Cinema Grand Signature and both have the same sound, but the Signature is double the power. Cinema Gran is 200 wpc while the Signature is at least 400 wpc into 8 ohms.
IMO, both are good amps and will power your speakers fine. You most likely not hear any difference and the volume level between them will be pretty close but you will not be taxing the Signature as much when you play it loud as it has more power in reserve.
Now I prefer the Sunfire 600 on ALIII's. I like the sound better. I think it is voiced differently for stereo and not for home theater. Just my opinion.
No the six hundred is not as laid back as the three hundred.
CarverFest: I just go for the arts and crafts