Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Emotiva Amplifier

Ok, I was under the impression that a good quality amp with sufficient power would be able to reproduce a better quality sound, not only high, but low. When I auditioned speakers, I heard B&W and Paradigms on Mcintosh and Rotel amps & I could not believe how good they sounded at low volumes, both stores said the amps were a part of why they sounded exceptionally good on low volumes.

I will be using a Yamaha RX-V1800. That should be sufficient?

Thanks!

I have a A1400 and the difference at low volume is not only noticeable, it is striking.

Most AB blind tests that I've ever read about resulted in the test group not being able to distinguish between expensive tube amps down to moderately priced integrated AVR's. Even the diehard expensive group picked the cheap AVR when blind folded.

Don't take this the wrong way, but having been this road myself, I can recommend you do the test for yourself. You will be very surprised.

Hey, I'm sure loads of us would love to test out the A1400-8 in comparison to a lot of other amps we keep our yes on. It's always a matter of price and timing, of course. And risk! Plus, I think it's truly wise to try everything you can in your own home over a matter of days. That's clearly Axiom's stance too, which is great. That 30 -day trial is excellent for trying to figure out what you like. Should be that way with amps too. And most audio stores do have return policies. Try a couple out - before the interest hits the credit card (return what you don't like in under 28 days).

Zoë

Eric,

Being pretty new, your not familiar with my history. I've done plenty of testing through the years with various brands of AVR's and amps during auditions. Currently, I'm driving my 80's with Odyssey Khartago Extreme monoblocks. My Denon 2805 is driving the rest of the setup and being used as a pre-pro for the Odyssey amps.

I can assure you to my ears and those that have auditioned in my home, most will find now perceived difference at low volume. I come from a musical family and have a great ear having played many instruments in my lifetime.

I totally agree that big a$$ amps make a huge difference when extra headroom and capacitance is called upon, but at lower volumes unused power is just that unused. Dang, I'm starting to sound like JohnK. lol

Are you saying you've taken part in true Blind AB listening test, and can distinguish between various amps that are calibrated to the same levels?

Sorry. I don't have much time (being called back at work ).

It is important to note here that I can only vouch for the A1400 (and that I never claimed otherwise ).

Recent annecdote: One of my friends has Outlaw 2200 with Paradigm Studio 100. He came to my place already talking about arranging for blind testing the Outlaws with the A1400 (he was already familiar with my speakers). After spending a few hours with the A1400 and the Epic80/500 (moslty at low volumes because the neighboors came in during testing), he said it was pointless to do the A/B. He has already put the A1400 in his shopping cart awaiting the settlement of his divorce.

So, no, I cannot say much about all the other separate amps, but I'm accumulating a lot of stories on the A1400 on top of what my own ears are telling me.

If you get the chance to experiment with the A1400, I would really appreciate your comments (still looking forward for Mojo to try it too!).

On that note, I have to go!

Z, no, there isn't any principle of audio technology which would lead to an amplifier with a higher maximum output capacity producing better sound even at low or moderate levels which were well within the capacity of an amplifier with a lower max. What the salesmen at the stores told you on this subject would fall into the voodoo audio category. Similar claims are made fairly often, but they have no factual basis and have failed when put to a properly controlled blind listening test. Clean is clean, regardless of whether the maximum output capability is 10 watts or a thousand watts.

Your 1800 is quite powerful(and of course is "good quality")and may very well be entirely sufficient for your needs, depending on how high of an average listening level that you use and how wide the dynamic range of the source material is.

Thanks,

Some day if funds allow, I would like to try the 1400. I'm sure it is a great amp from what I've read and heard. A lot of people say it is expensive, but if you break it down, it is only $500 per channel. Heck each of my monoblocks were more than that....

I just wish you could by the chassis with 2 o 3 amps, and then add additional amps as time/budget allow.

What an interesting idea! I'd go for something like that too. I would love to upgrade to something powerful like the A1400-8 too, but it's way out of budget right now. And, well, I'd like to see a two channel version come out for those of us who are not big HT people.

Zoë