Description: My Uncle gave me this unit. He is an audiophile and bought this without understanding its implications. Needless to say, it was overkill for how he planned to use it. Same is true for me. I had used it as an amplifier with a center-channel only Klipsch Speaker with an ipod connection and it was seriously powered. However, it has been sitting in my garage unused for some time. An Excellent unit. Ask any questions and I'll do my best to answer them. Designed by the legendary Bob Carver, the TR-401 is "the most powerful receiver on the planet," providing 200 watts per channel with all seven channels. In addition, this model offers room correction and "plenty of flexibility to grow as your needs and systems evolve." Basic DescriptionSurround Receiver with 200 watts x 7 channels, SIRIUS ready, AM/FM with RDS w/ 40 presets, VIA!migo iPod control, touchpad ports for Ole-2SF with feedback and metadata for SIRIUS and iPod, automatic setup and room correction with microphone, input level trim, A/V sync, 8 analog inputs, 2 outputs, 8 digital inputs, 1 output, 7.1 multi-channel input, 7.1 preamplifier outputs, HD-ready front panel input, Sonic Holography, Dolby Digital EX, Prologic IIx, Dolby Headphone, DTS-ES, Neo:6, DTS-96/24, source direct function, HDMI 1.3a video switching and 100 MHz component video switching (both 3 in/1 out), video upconversion to component, bi-directional RS-232 control, 2 IR inputs, 3 outputs, 3 12V triggers, detachable IEC cord, universal/learning remote control. 17” W x 5.75” H x 16.5” D; 32 pounds; 2-year warranty.Associated EquipmentPioneer Elite BDP-05FD, Paradigm Studio 100 fronts, Paradigm CC-590 center, Paradigm ADP-590 surrounds, Bowers & Wilkins ASW750 subwoofer, Bowers & Wilkins 703 front speakers, Musical Fidelity A5.5 CD Player, Audioquest cabling.DescriptionSunfire has gone to a simpler, cleaner front panel design in comparison to the receivers and preamplifiers they used to make. There is a front panel input that is hidden behind a solid sliding door. The larger of two round knobs controls volume and has a very solid feel. The other control can change input, surround mode, or control the setup. There are buttons for mute, Sonic Holography, and selecting between main and second zones. The display is rather large and readable from a distance. The headphone output will work with Dolby Headphone processing for a surround effect, but can also be disabled if wished.The information in the manual on connections is extremely easy to understand (as has been the case in their manuals of the past). See below for specific information about the Sunfire’s video capabilities and HDMI connections.I like the flexibility offered by the Sunfire’s speaker terminals. There is an option for a bypassable powered Zone 2 set (i.e. you can power Zone 2 or it can be bypassed when seven channels are activated). And the user can set up the receiver to power two sets of front speakers (one for the video system and one for the audio) or a second set of surround channels. The surrounds can both be active or you can switch between them.Unlike some surround receivers of the past, the TGR-401 allows the Zone 2 to play digital sources (without an added analog connection), but only if the Main Zone is playing the same source. Zone 2 can be controlled by optional Ole-2SF ($600) keypads that are preconfigured to control the Sunfire receiver. Bass, treble, and balance are separately adjustable on Zone 2.In addition to the receiver I was sent the matching iPod cradle. It connects via a Cat5 Ethernet cable and analog audio and analog video (for video iPods). It will stream metadata to the touchpad and song information can be displayed on the monitor. It is a charger, has IR and RS-232 control capabilities, and works out of the box with Sunfire’s remote.The Sunfire remote is the same model by Universal Remote that has been used for years. I have always liked this remote, although many may want to opt for a higher-end pre-programmed remote control.HDMI Compatibility & Video CapabilitiesThe Sunfire does not do ANY audio decoding through the HDMI connections! It is necessary to hook up optical or coaxial digital cables for all the digital audio sources unless you use the multichannel analog inputs.In a unit capable of decoding Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio it is just a matter of connecting a single HDMI capable to the receiver and video and audio are handled all together. With the Sunfire, in order to take advantage of these formats, it is necessary to use the multichannel analog input (assuming that your Blu-ray player offers multichannel outputs—some of them don’t.) If you have a separate DVD-A or SACD player then you will need to invest in a multichannel switcher like the Zektor reviewed back in April of 2004. ADA also makes one called the LLSM-1. [You can also throw a cheap manual one together using two Radio Shack video switchers…Ed.]If you don’t have a DVD-A or SACD player then the lack of connection is not an issue. If you have a Blu-ray player and don’t have multichannel outputs then you can never get Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio which might make this receiver a non-starter. Also, for those who are looking to take advantage of single HDMI connections (and abandon the many analog cables of the past) for all their components, then this is not an option either. There is an upside to the Sunfire 8-channel input. There is a bypass mode for the highest fidelity with a straight pass-through as well as a processed mode that will do bass management and allow the user to adjust surround modes.The TGR-401 does not upconvert analog video signals to be output through the digital HDMI video connection. This means that for every analog source you’ll need at least one component video cable out of the Sunfire and for all the HDMI sources you’ll need an HDMI cable out. In other words, you’ll have to switch inputs on the TV when you want to watch analog or digital sources. Of course, a programmable remote control would take care of this and anyone investing $4K in a receiver should not hesitate to get one. If you only have very few sources then there is always the option to go directly to the monitor (which of course requires switching anyhow). However, the On Screen Display is only visible from the analog video outputs. This means it is a necessary connection, otherwise setup would be virtually impossible and on-the-fly adjustments are only visible through the trim menu on the on-screen display—a real letdown in my opinion.SetupThe amount of options available in many of today’s AV receivers is mind-boggling and the TGR-401 is no exception. Rather than repeat pages and pages of features (that are available if the reader would like to download the manual from Sunfire’s website), I will touch on some of the adjustments that are useful or unique.Inputs. Gain trim is available from -20 to +20 dB on all inputs. There is a video delay available from 0-180 ms in 5 ms steps. (This delays the audio relative to the video to propery sync up when the processing in the display or by the station causes the video to get behind the audio.) There is auto-detection available for analog/digital and video signals. For instance, when the VCR is turned on you can have the receiver detect the composite video signal and switch the input to VCR. (This did not work for the analog and digital audio or for the video I tried). Even with help from Sunfire tech support, I was not able to get this feature to work properly. (Perhaps you’ll have better luck.) [I’ve had the same problem…Ed.] There are different stored sound mode settings available for 2-channel analog, 2-channel digital, Dolby, DTS and DTS96 modes, so that the receiver will retain desired mode settings whenever it detects these different signal inputs.This is the first Sunfire receiver that does not offer a phono section which means one less thing to have to test, but also seems to come at the worst time (when analog is making somewhat of a resurgence). You can always add a high quality outboard phono preamp like some of the ones we’ve reviewed recently. [Previous receivers and preamps only had MM phono inputs anyway – not MC…Ed.]Speaker Settings. Frequency options are fullrange and 40-150 Hz high-pass in 5 Hz steps. The subwoofer can be set to the same range low-pass. Speaker distance is adjustable in 6” or .15 meter steps. Levels are adjustable in .5 dB steps. This Sunfire TGR-401 Theater Grand Receiver is a high-quality audio component that delivers exceptional sound. With 200 watts per channel, it can handle even the most demanding home theater systems. It features 7.1 channels, 10 inputs, and 2 outputs, including banana speaker jacks for easy connectivity. The TGR-401 is compatible with a range of audio devices, including an antenna and coaxial digital inputs. This black receiver is in excellent working condition, with both analog and digital features for versatility. It also comes with the original manual for easy setup. However, please note that a remote control is not included. Whether you're a movie buff or a music lover, the Sunfire TGR-401 is the perfect addition to your home entertainment system.
Price: 1333.33 USD
Location: Tarrytown, New York
End Time: 2024-09-10T21:08:09.000Z
Shipping Cost: 100 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
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Supported Modes: FM
Color: Black
Band: FM
Year Manufactured: 2004
MPN: TGR-401
Compatible Product: Antenna
Surround Sound Formats: Dolby Digital
Audio Outputs: Banana Speaker Jacks
Amplifier Class: AB
Number of Outputs: 2
Brand: Sunfire
Type: A/V Receiver
Audio Inputs: Coaxial Digital
Number of Channels: 7.1
Number of Inputs: 10
Model: SUNFIRE TGR-401
Features: Analog, Digital
Country/Region of Manufacture: China
Power: 200 per channel