Sunfire Classic Control Center - tube preamp

I am considering selling my fully optioned Sunfire Tube Classic, with phono board, and remote control volume.

Manufactured in 2002 and purchased from Sunfire in 2005, and then sat in a closet until early 2010, when I bought it.

Has 1998 graphics face plate (I liked it better).

Anyone interested?

pm sent....

pm sent....

That was fast Mike

Phono Board and Remote nice.

get it Mike--get it

GOOOOOO Mike!!!!!

Movin' on, Doc?

Hey wabbit.

If I can work a deal on an all tube phono section, then yes. That is why I am wondering if anyone is interested in my Classic. I will need to recoup some $$ so the net change is not large. WAF don't ya know.

If the phono section deal does not come through, then no. I should know for sure, later today.

The Classic had two different face plates during its run from 97 to 05.

It had at least three versions of the power supply (running improvements, without announced changes - you know how Bob is, always making things better ), and two main/line section circuit boards.

To my knowledge, there were no further advancements, after 2005 when this unit was sold directly from Sunfire. So, this is one of the most advanced Classics made.

It is a tube roller's dear. Bob said, "If the tube will fit in the socket you can try it. You can't hurt the preamp."

The Classic had two different face plates during its run from 97 to 05.

It had at least three versions of the power supply (running improvements, without announced changes - you know how Bob is, always making things better ), and two main/line section circuit boards.

To my knowledge, there were no further advancements, after 2005 when this unit was sold directly from Sunfire. So, this is one of the most advanced Classics made.

It is a tube roller's dear. Bob said, "If the tube will fit in the socket you can try it. You can't hurt the preamp."

You've taken me to the precipice, but denied me a climax! What are the differences in each item you mentioned?

It is sometimes difficult to figure out what has changed in a product designed by Bob.

In communicating with others who have worked with him through the years (@ Phase Linear, Carver, & Sunfire) there is a pattern of changes/improvements in a product with no change in model number.

When the cumulative changes become great enough in number, then the model might get a Mk II or other identifier attached to it. Sometimes, other than the new silk screened number on the face plate, the unit on the line just before the number change, is identical inside. Sometimes there is a new rev circuit board, that goes with the Mk II or a, or b, or whatever, in the unit still marked with the older model number.

Now with that background. I know there was a possible instability with the earliest preamps' power supply. That was correctly quickly. The third iteration of the power supply was further improved for longevity and sonics. That is what is in this preamp.

I don't recall, any more, why there was a second revision of the line section, but there was, and it is in this preamp.

There was a change in the font on the face plate in later production. I like the older font. It looked more classic to me. So, this has a face plate from 1998.

I have been running the pre with Russian NOS 6H30pi-DR (now sellling for as much as $200 per tube, when you can find them) and it is amazing. Most preamps can't supply the current these tubes draw, about 3 times what a 6922/6DJ8 draws. Those tubes stay with me. The unused, therefore new, OEM Russian tube that the preamp came with will be included.

Sometimes I go two or three weeks without a chance to listen to my system. When I do get a chance my listening sessions are at least two, but sometime as many as four hours.

In the past 20 months that I have owned it, the chassis has probably seen about 200 to 400 hours of use. So, the caps have settled in but this is a very low hours pre. And as I indcated the 6922/6DJ8/6N23p type tubes are new.

Does that give you the detail you were looking for? Are your pants wet now?

Bruce

Dr. W.: I've got wood (Thanks!) but do you have a picture illustrating the different fonts? Do you know what year it changed?

Thanks again!

I may be able to locate a picture or two.

I don't know when the change took place. I had a 1998 and a 2002 in my home at the same time. I like the 98 font better, but it did not have remote volume.

I put the face plate from the 98 and the phono board on and into the 2002, and moved the 98 along as a "basic" classic, no phono, no remoter, but with the 2002 font.

The one that is for sale with 98 face plate. Sorry for the fuzzy pictures.

Couldn't find an example of a 2002 faceplate on my HD.

I just spent $1,550 on a new phono section.

I would like to get $1,450 for this Sunfire Classic. I have close to $2k in it.

If no one here is interested it will go to Audiogon.

T
I just spent $1,550 on a new phono section.

Bruce.

Sorry to see that it's time for you to move on, I know you liked the Sunfire.

What new phono section did you get for $1,550.00

Brian

Yes, Brian. I loved it.

Fosgate Signature Phono. All tube, including regulation.