Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Amp and preamp recommendations for M60s or M22s

Thanks to everyone for the help they provided with determining which Axiom speaker I should buy. I am probably going with the M60s because of my room size but I am still considering the M22s. Now I am looking for amp and preamp recommendations. I am thorougly confused by all the options available. I am primarly going to use this system for listening to music. I have no intentions of building a home theater at this time but maybe in the future. But for right now, I want to experience high quality stereo.

Are you at all interested in a receiver ? If so I would recommend the HK 3480

I would recommend getting a 7.1 reciever for a home theatre. This way you have the option of expanding to 7 channels in the future if you want without spending extra money later.

The Yamaha RX-V659 would work perfect with the M60s in a 2 channel environment. It is not much more than the regular 2 channel reciever...I think its around $350 in the states on various online sellers.

Click here for some online seller pricing.

If you do go with a surround receiver, go cheap. I'm getting more frustrated by the day with HDMI. And then I get even more frustrated knowing HDMI 1.3 is just around the bend and will require a complete component swap out.

I'd just get the receiver that Rick suggested. Or put the money into a good two channel pre/po and amp knowing that you will keep the system as a two channel set up indefinitely.

Mdrew, can you recommend a good two channel pre/po and amp?

Rotel RC 1070 combined with the Rotel RB 1080 .

Rick, I read about the equipment you recommended on Rotel's website and although its a little more than I really want to spend I may go ahead with them anyways. I called a local audio store that carries Rotel products and when I told him that I was going to use them to power the Axiom M60s he said he had never heard of Axiom before. I told him that they were an online only company and then he felt he needed to warn me by telling me that a trick that online companies like Axion do is to offer a 30 day trial period because they know once people here the speakers even if they are just "OK" they wont return them. He also said that if they were that good they would be out competing in the retail market. He feels like I should go down and audition some of the products he has from his showroom. So what do you think, is he just trying to "make a sale" or is any of what he says valid. Maybe a little bit of both?

Yeah, I heard the same crap at a local family owned AV store here in Des Moines. I went down and auditioned NHT, B&W, etc... and ended up with Axioms...

We do tend to hear about that one a lot. Yeah, they've got a 30 day moneyback. Yeah, most people aren't going to take advantage of that. But that's their fault, not Axiom's. It's really the way to to business over the 'net, short of word of mouth and auditions (which Axiom owners are often quite willing to give). A scam would be saying you've got a moneyback guarantee, and then not giving the money back, or something like.

Besides, most people who get them (at least that we hear from here) really like them.

Pretty much what he said, well it was bullshit !!!! Some of the b&m stores feel threatened by the on line companies. Could it be that we all were fools to purchase Axioms ? Does he think that we know nothing about what good sound is. There is a lot of us here on the forum that have been into the hi fi thing back when the sales person was shitting yellow. I really don't have much respect for any sales people that feel the need to put another product down in order to try and make a sale. You can buy Axioms with confidence knowing they are a first rate company offering the highest of quality for a fraction of what the b&m stores offer.

Do some research on Ian and his company, you might be suprised on the history behind Axiom.

Whew, I feel better now

Yeah I agree. Well, thanks to help of everyone I have decided to go with what Rick suggested and that will be:

Rotel RC 1070 combined with the Rotel RB 1080 and the Axiom M60s.

So I guess I have to buy the Rotel equipment from my local audio store. Are the prices pretty much set in stone? I think he quoted me $1500 for the pair ($499 for one and $1000 for the other)

Also, I am going to need cables for all of this? Can someone tell me what cables I will need and where to find them for the best price?

Thanks!

That will be a real nice system. As for cables I would suggest Bluejean cables or Monoprice.

When I was shopping for Rotel gear I couldn't find a dealer that would discount the price. They said that Rotel doesn't allow them to do so.

Vike, in my view there's no good reason to seriously consider spending more than about $300 for the power requirements. If you want to stay with just two channels the 3480 Rick suggested would be a good choice, but the future flexibility which an HT receiver offers, as Robb pointed out, suggests that you consider that. Also keep in mind that the HT receiver has bass management which can be used even in a two speaker plus sub setup.

For cables, MonoPrice can't be beat.

Rick, I did not realize that you first recommended the receiver model HK 3480 before recommending the Rotel RC 1070 combined with the Rotel RB 1080. JohnK also recommended the receiver HK3480. I know I told you that I have decided to go with the Rotel equipment but I am wondering now, what would I stand to lose in sound quality, calrity and performance if I decided to go with the HK3480 receiver instead? I know I would save a lot of money doing it that way which would be nice but I also want a system that will play my music with a lot of clarity. Thanks.

>>Bluejean cables or Monoprice.

This is for sure true. I had all the time in the world to decide where to order my cables from. I discovered that Monoprice.com can't be beat for video cables, and bluejeanscable can't be beat for speaker wire.

Monoprice.com's bulk 12 guage comes to around 0.5 cents per foot, bluejeanscable.com is 0.38 cents per foot and has a better build quality and look to it (being wrapped in a single PVC sleeve).

I just ordered all my cables 3 days ago and that is who i ordered from.

Believe me that H/K 3480 is one heck of a receiver. A friend of mine plus my brother in law has the same exact unit. I wouldn't for a moment hesitate to own that unit. Don’t get me wrong I really like my Rotel equipment but the 3480 is just to good to pass up for the money.

If it matter's or not Stereophile has the 3480 on there list of recommended components

Viking....

I, and several others on this board, use the Rotel 1070 / 1080 combo for two channel systems. I think it's a wonderful set up and have no plans to change it out with anything else. If you can afford it, then go for it. You will not be disappointed.

If money is an issue with you right now (as it is with most of us, all the time....), then I'd give that HK a whirl. I have not heard it, but if Ricky recommends it, you can bet that it's a dandy.

For cables, I have used Blue Jeans, Axiom, Monoprice, Home Depot, Radio Shack.......As hard as I've tried to convince myself that I could hear a difference, I really couldn't. The Axiom cables looked the best if that means anything to you. Just get some 12 gauge and don't worry about it anymore. Put the money you save into some CD's....

I came to this thread late, so please indulge me.

As many know, I bought my Axioms during the time they were in their infancy, and had a retail presence. Their business model has changed, but suffice to say that I auditioned many brands in my listening room, and still made the decision to purchase them. The return policy and service teams are definitely impressive, and I would say that this helps Axiom be successfull.

With regards to auditioning, absolutely, go and listen....listent o everything he has. When you are done, find another store and listen more!!! As mentioned, it is best if you can listen in your own environment, but few dealers will allow this. I have several stores/dealers that I have good working relationships with, and built the level of trust that they will allow me this courtesy. However, some folks simply exploit the nice gesture and then buy a similar product used, or somewhere cheaper. Sometimes the extra cost can be worth it!!!

But I am rambling again.....