Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Sherwood Newcastle A-965?

I might trade my m22's for some m80's, but I would need to upgrade my amplifier abilities. Right now I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-94Txh and if I were upgrade to the 4ohm M80's I would need something that is rated to power such a speaker. In which case this 7 channel amp would seem a great fit. However, I have no knowledge as to hook up this amp to my Pioneer, and so I would need information prior that would ensure my abilities to do this.

Even so, I would love to learn how to hook up an external amp to my receiver. Could anyone help me to understand how to make this happen?

max

You hook up the amp to the receiver's pre-outs. Just use regular RCA cables.

Well, hooking it up is easy. Just use analog RCA cables from the pre-outs on the back of the AVR (upper in middle of Rx) to an amp. The SN seems like a really expensive solution, however, at $1500 MSRP for 160 watts into 4 ohms.

Are you sure you're Elite won't do an adequate job with 4 ohms?

Max, there's no good reason for you to assume that such a change in amplification would be necessary. Your 94 has substantial capacity into 4 ohms(over 200 watts)and many similar receivers have driven M80s well for years. It's been THX Select2 certified, and among the requirements of that certification was a tested ability to drive a below 4 ohm load at a certain level. Regardless of any "rating", try the M80s first, which are in fact slightly above average in sensitivity and are easier to drive than many other speakers.

One more vote to make the trade and then deal with the amp if it has issues. I have M22s and M80s and you will love the M80s, they have a much fuller, richer sound than the M22s and are worth the extra money spent, IMO.

I'll be watching this thread as I have a Pio Elite 94. This Elite does not have the mosfet amps of Elites previously. Over on AVS I have checked with people running 4 ohms and none have had issue, but then again no one could reply to how loud their avg db was either. Casual listening is 85-90db. I do listen at 95-100db (before peaks) and worst yet, Classical. So a fair amount of dynamics.

You sir, as your sig says, are indeed in need of an A-1400.

Mark, you're even concerned about the type of output transistors being used? This is an engineering decision to reach the designed performance and shouldn't be of significance to the user.

If you haven't studied the excellent lab test results in the Audioholics review of the 94, it should give additional assurance of the ample power available.

Thanks everyone, if I decide that my m22 setup is not exactly what I want then I will feel secure in swapping m80's with no extra amplification.

On a side note, this receiver is simply amazing. When I went to Magnolia to audition the Yamaha RX-V3800, Denon 3808, and Pio 94 and I blindly chose the pio playing three very different music. They were all coming out of the Sonus Faber Conertino Domus' (which I was set on buying for a time), and everytime I chose the pio. The UI is bad, and the Faroujda chips are obsolete but it simply cannot be beat in sound reproduction. I noticed in particular, that the difference in the Denon (moreso than the Yamaha) was the slight harshness of the instruments. I've heard the term 'bright' and I think that is very apt. On the Yamaha, is was also slightly more bright, but less so. I remember the music being less bright, but also less precise in creating the individual nuances of the music. Once I made my decision the salesman informed me that everyone (despite varying brand loyalties and personal home theater choices) working with him has commented on the great sound this receiver has. Anyways..I rambled, I'm just really happy with it. Thanks for your help!!

max

I wonder how all of the receivers are set up? Flat EQ, or sound processing turned off? Are they SPL leveled?

If "everyone" chooses the same receiver I would have to assume it's not a balanced playing field. I know most shops around here have certain products set up to perform better than others...

I'm glad you're happy with the receiver but I generally feel as though any AVR being run within it's capabilities (no distortion) with all sound processing turned off should be very similar if not the same in sound reproduction. Yes there will be differences in how loud and clean each can go but that's outside of the direct comparison within their capabilities.

Not 'everyone' chose the receiver. Like I said, the employees at that particular Magnolia had commented on the good sound from the receiver DESPITE having various brand loyalties and their own albeit different A/V receivers at home. I'm not sure what settings were used, I was sitting in the middle of the room as he switched stuff via button pressing. I would have a hard time believing they have a particular 'push' towards the Pio seeing as it was the cheapest of the three. But who knows, the pio being laid back in comparison to (especially) the Onkyo's, Denon's, etc. are something I've read fairly often on various forums/audioreview and such. Some like the brighter sound, not necessarily a bad thing imo, just different.

Most big box store employees I ever talked to have no idea how to navigate the menus past volume and input selection so there may not even have been any intentional monkey business.

So who knows. If it's a concern, go back and get them to show you that all the processing is turned off and try again. Might be fun to watch them try and wiggle through it if nothing else.

In the end, as I just wrote in another post, doesn't matter what your technical view is on weather or not all similar receivers are transparent or not, get what makes you feel good about your purchase. Happiness is the end result you are shooting for, is it not?

As a side note, I can attest to having a friend who quit a job at a big box store who admits he was 'coached' into manipulating the brightness controls on the TVs depending on which model they were pushing that week.

Thank you. Unfortunately, my wife has asked for a divorce, so the A-1400 will have to wait.

Thank you. Unfortunately, my wife has asked for a divorce, so the A-1400 will have to wait.

Thank you. I may need to move forward on new speakers. My wife has asked for a divorce. I do not think I will end up with the speakers, so new Axioms when money allows.
I am going to the new house tomorrow and will check on space. Where I would put this I believe is a small bedroom that has been converted to a den. I will not need T-Series at least.

Not knowing the details, I assume that's nasty news? I don't envy you the details that await figuring it out. Feel free to vent here. It has worked for CV, at least...

Yes, nasty

Feel free to use Ken as a punching bag; works for me.

Seriously, sorry to hear that. Hope you don't get the sh!t end of the stick. Hang in there.

I'll probably get skewered for this, but hell hath no fury like a woman in divoce mode. It will get better once things are settled.

Yep, my ex was evil in divorce mode (and the rest of the time too, but I digress).