Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo noob needs guidance! m22t

Alan, the Sonic Impact Super T-amp is the latest 'new-fangled' digital amplifier, supposedly besting many conventional amp designs. As per usual with any new product rapidly adopted and hyped by audiophiles, verification of claims is scant to nonexistent.

I've heard the original version of this amp and it does the job admirably well for its low price of $30. The newer version is beefed up a bit and comes with a metal enclosure, a power supply, and decent binding posts.

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the feedback on the T-amp. One of the technical reservations that has been exressed by some experts on the use of wide-bandwidth digital amplifiers is they may not necessarily have 0 ohms output impedance, like a conventional analog solid-state amp. As such, a digital amplifier's output impedance could interact with the speaker impedance curve in the same manner as some tube amplifiers, causing frequency-response errors.

And with such low output, as has been pointed out, the distortion characteristics would increase as the amp approached clipping. "Sonic Impact" with 10 watts per channel seems a contradiction in terms.

Regards,

Thanks for the advice!
The version if T-Amp I have is this one http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonicimpact2/t2.html
so its a little more powerfull. I have a chance to connect the m22s to an Arcam Delta 290 (75w x 2) so that perhaps will allow me see whether the t-amp is clipping. For the sub it seems the people advise the hsu/outlaw so I am going to try that.

The M22s are well thought of by reviewers, same kind of guys who drum up audiophile hype for amps like the T-Amp.

I have or had M2i's, M3Tis, M22Tis, M50ti's, I also have Michaura M55s (same 5.25" drivers as the M22), M66s (same drivers as the M50 and M665s (same driver compliment as M60s).

I have used a 5 watt per channel SET tube amp with the M3tis, M22tis, and Michaura M55s and M66s. The 5 watt tube amp was magic with the M3Tis, the Michaura M55s (2x5.25" drivers and a 3/4" titanium tweeter - same as Axiom used on the old M2Tis) and the M66s. Sounded like crap with the M22Tis. Sounded great with the M3s, M55s and M66s. Go figure.

I currently use a T-Amp (slightly modded) with a pair of Michaura M55s. I'm using the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb tube output CD player with mods. The combination is terrific as long as you don't overdrive the little amp.

thanks again for all your advice, it has been really helpfull.
It turns out that I have a faulty T-amp. My friend's T-amp drives his m22s fine, and plenty loud. We also compared the t-amp to his arcam delta 290 (all would agree a "real" amp) and the m22s sound equally great on both, no audible sound quality differences. So it seems that T-amp can drive the m22s just fine, when it is working. Mine keeps on cutting in and out on the right channel, etc. So, for me, the m22s are a DEFINATE keeper. The T-Amp will go back to be exchanged for another T-Amp (it does sound TOO GOOD for just $140), but I am now also on the lookout for a deal on nad c320 or arcam a65, as the T-amp doesn't inspire confidence in its reliability.

i have another noobish question. i just did the math for the m22s - its 440+160 for stands + 300 or so for the subwoofer = 900 us dollars. Will I be better off bying the m50s or m60s instead and no stands and no subwoofer? Of course in that case I will be getting the nad c320 as the amp, but i am leaning towards that anyway. Please help me finalize my stereo setup! For ther record I am very happy with the sound of the m22s powered by the t-amp, but it looks like i am spending same money and could get a better speaker, but I want to stay with axiom as the speakers - like them way better then b&w and paradigms that my friends have.

That's a hard one to deceide; I would prefer a good set of floorstanding speakers myself. If I had to either give up the M80s and go with bookshelfs and a sub or keep the M80s without a sub I would pick the M80s by themselves.

If I was building a system over time I would buy the 60s for the $900 price rather than 22s and stands. You will have very nice stereo sound with good bass. Save you money and buy the sub as you are able.

For a stereo music system I would DEFINITELY go with 50s or 60s over M22s and sub, unless the room was quite small. As an M60 owner I will obviously suggest you try for the 60s

I will go strongly against the grain!!!! You have outstanding monitors. Bass from a seperate sub combined with your 22's will sound far better (in my opinion/experience) IF!!!!! you have properly set up active sub with appropriate equalization software. That doesn't mean you need super expensive DEQX or TACT hardware. Several subs come with equlizattion and set up microphones to be used with a laptop to accurately set up according to your room acoustics and seating position. I think rane has some ....Outlaw as well in fact they have now partnered with HSU and I beleive have subs which satisfy this purpose.