Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 3 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 21 22
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407254 09/16/14 01:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
Good points, Murph - so allow me to clarify.

Bass (for all speakers) is a placement-sensitive issue; imaging is the same. However, the best location for one is rarely the best for the other. I've placed my M80s for superior imaging. In that location, and in my room, yes, they are "bass shy." This isn't the fault of the speakers. I could easily find a "compromise position" where both imaging and bass would be 90%, but that's not good enough for me.

Therefore, I use the subwoofer to make up for the bass that I lose by locating the speakers far out from the walls.

I've also, lately, had the good fortune to acquire some Audio Research tube electronics (D90 amp and LS2B MKII preamp). The M80s have quite a different sound with these than with my usual solid-state electronics. The midrange is lusher, the treble a bit softer, but the mid-bass is far more solid. The effect on male voices is to make them more "present" in the room. The effect on orchestral music is to bring out the cellos, basses, and tympani.

So will I keep the tubes or go back to solid state? Time will tell...


My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407256 09/16/14 04:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
Yep, amen to that. I got lucky and finally found a spot where bass and imaging were both pretty good, but I had to rip out a bunch of living room furniture and lean Roxul panels up against half the windows to get there -- and even with all that imaging is not as good as it was in some of the previous locations.

Your experience with the tube electronics are interesting... I'm still toying with the idea of trying a tube pre-amp to see what difference it makes.


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407273 09/17/14 09:07 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
Hi bridgman -

May I recommend the Yaqin CD3 tube buffer? It's inexpensive, and gives 90% of the best tube sound I've ever heard without the sloppiness. It really is a fine product, particularly for its price.




Last edited by Boomzilla; 09/17/14 09:11 AM.

My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407279 09/17/14 03:36 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
E
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
E
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,767
I looked long & hard at the buffer; however, I snagged from ebay an almost new Yaquin MC-100B integrated tube amp for about double the price of the buffer.

I expected a huge difference in sound from my SS gear, but it really didn't happen for me. I really like it though, especially its appearance because tubz are cool...

TAM - in Flagstaff & heading for the Grand Canyon trying to outrun Odine.

Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407361 09/21/14 10:43 AM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
Hi exlabdriver -

Today's tube equipment is deliberately designed to have less "tube sound" than did products of old. Therefore, differences ARE more subtle - typically a bit more soundstage width/depth and a touch of "lushness" in the midrange. I like the sound of my tube buffer, and the majority of friends who have heard it agree.


My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407650 10/14/14 06:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
Thanks Boomzilla. Was about to try the CD3 tube buffer, but made the mistake of staring at my system for a while trying to figure out what upgrades I would probably want to do in the future. I decided that supporting some kind of digital sources would probably be the next step, so instead of the CD3 I ordered a TubeDac 11 from Grant Fidelity (basically a DAC/pre-amp with tube buffer on the output).

Figured that would also let me use a digital connect for the CD carousel, which I remember sounding just a tiny bit better than the analog (with levels at least casually matched).

I guess the obvious configuration options are :

- as a DAC, connect DAC out to receiver AUX in, continue using receiver pre-outs to drive power amp

- as a pre-amp, connect receiver tape-out to TubeDAC aux in for phono & tuner, connect CD carousel to optical in, connect tube out to power amp

At least one of those should work smile

EDIT - oh yeah, the other planned upgrade is an acrylic platter for the turntable, since some idiot purchased a moving coil cartridge (Denon DL-110) before remembering that the Debut Carbon had a steel platter.

Last edited by bridgman; 10/14/14 06:21 PM.

M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
bridgman #407653 10/15/14 02:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379
Likes: 7
Actually the configurations get more complicated if I want to be able to flip back and forth to see the difference made by (a) tube buffer and (b) CD going through external DAC rather than built-in DAC.

Reviews suggest it comes with a bunch of cables, looks like I'll probably be using them all.


M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39
M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1
LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407807 10/27/14 03:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
veteran
OP Offline
veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 125
Well, I've found a way of positioning my M80s that provides an entirely new perspective on their sound! By moving my speakers closer together and then slightly toeing them out (rather than in, toward the listening position), I get more reflected sound from the room and less direct sound. The effect is VERY interesting. Has anyone else tried this?


My opinion is worth exactly what you're paying for it!
Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #407825 10/28/14 04:13 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 1
B
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
B
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 1
I did consider it once.



Re: So NOW I'm a real Axiom owner...
Boomzilla #408404 11/29/14 03:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 29
H
hobbyist
Offline
hobbyist
H
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 29
ahhh I own m80's but an older design, They handle being positioned wrong well hahaha. they handle being abused ie low wattage high volume, they handle being cranked way way past the limit, they will give you true transparent music:::::::: that is where they differ from other high end speakers, the good you hear every aspect of the recording, The bad for Audiophiles: you hear everything wrong with the recording but that's good you hear everything you need to hear. I don't want muffled crap that masks the real deal.

Page 3 of 22 1 2 3 4 5 21 22

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 386 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4