Sunfire Standard or Signature Edition


I purchased a pair of Sunfire amps from someone settling an estate for someone who died, and I would like to know if one of them is the Signature Edition.

Here's a link to a pic of the amps.

On page 5 of the the Sunfire User's Manual it states that "The Signature Edition has more power and uses premium quality output terminals compared to the Standard edition." and shows drawings of the rear panels of both Editions for comparison purposes.

Does the amp on the top have the premium output terminals? Does that mean it's a Signature Edition? Were all the Signature Editions signed? Neither of mine are signed (see pic). Is there an easy way for me to measure the output of the amp?

Thanks in advance for anything you might have to help me.
audioscmaudio

Showing 5 responses by lowrider57

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).


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.

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.