Sunfire: Holographic Imaging Opinions

My first preamp was a Carver C-11 (it still does duty in my basement system). During the time that it was my primary preamp, I had the occassion to move a number of times. What I found was that even with all the other gear remaining constant, in some rooms the Sonic Holography made an improvement, and in others, it detracted. In my opinion, it has some merit, and is worth considering, although it will be room/gear dependant. I will say that in most of my locations, it sounded better with it off.

I have used it since Bob Carver invented it (>15 years ago). I always leave it on. It spreads the soundstage from corner to corner in my room. It produces real images and ambience far outside the speakers. The only downside it that you muse sit exactly between the speakers and it does dilute the central vocals.

Sonic Holography works best with speakers that present a very focused dispersion pattern. Designs that are bipolar, dipolar, omni, etc... won't work all that well. Having said that, i've got it and haven't messed with it in a LONG time.

I remember experimenting with it at my Aunt & Uncle's system back in about 1980 ( i think ) and the results were pretty "over-blown". The stage came WAY out into the room and was phenomenally wide on some recordings. This was the first time that i had ever heard anything like this and the effect was both amusing and amazing. Most people thought of it as being a "novelty" or one of "Sideshow Bob's" latest and greatest "gimmicks", but it really does work and can produce enjoyable results on some discs. The good thing about this is that you can use it or bypass it as the flip of the switch or push of a button. Sean
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Yeah, I think it's just a matter of personal taste. I actually use the Sunfire for home theater only....as you can see, I have three preamps in my system, the Sunfire, the Audio Research LS-10 pre for 2-channel cd and the Carver tube preamp for phono.

The holographic thing is probably system dependent. Diffent strokes for different folks.

I've been listening to music with holographic turned "on" for a couple of weeks and I have to say that I like it. With holographic turned "off", I feel like the soundstage becomes smaller. I'll go back again to it being "off" and do some more critical listening. Yes, our room environments are quite different. It would seem like your room would be better for holographic than mine.

I have used it many times and it works and sounds great with many recordings...not all. It also works better with some speaker systems than others. My Small Vmps 626's semm to work well with it, my large multi-driver Vmps supertowers not as well. When I got my Apogee Duetta Signatures last year I tried it with them and DID NOT like it at all with their di-pole sound field.

My guess is that it is recording and speaker system dependent.

Dave

I don't use it. I tried it for a week and I just can't take it seriously for 2 channel listening. You may get different results than me though, our listening rooms and are vastly different. What do you think of the hologrphic imaging?

You may check out my system.