Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Need quick input about amps, interconnects and SQ

Bobby, your "all channels" comment indicates that you may be giving that more significance than it deserves. Even when all the channels are active from time to time there's almost no situation where they would simultaneously have to output full power. The standard two-channels driven spec required to meet FTC power regulations is probably the most realistic. Audioholics often has commented on the lack of real-world significance of the all channels numbers and only tests with one and two channels driven simultaneously at full power. S&V still includes an all channels test besides one and two channels, but they typically comment when the all channels number is significantly lower that this had no effect in actual multi-channel operation and the unit handled it well.

Cam, your question may have gotten buried in all the amplifier talk. You don't mention what the distance from his PS3 to his TV is and, contrary to most connecting cables, HDMI cables need some consideration of distance in deciding what gauge to get. The most common 28ga cables are said to be fine up to about 15'; longer distances would make it advisable to get a 24ga or even 22ga cable. Assuming that his run is fairly typical, here's a 10' 28ga cable from MonoPrice that should work well and is available in several colors.

It sounds like it is not so much as fatigue but you are just demanding too much from the Denon. I would also consider running a seperate amp for your Zone 2 as well, or insted of, a seperate for the mains. You just feed it from the low level outputs from the Denon, this might help in the noticeable drop in volume/power you noticed fom the Denon. This amp wouldn't have to be as huge/expensive as the one you will need to run the M80s on to get noticeably louder.