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Re: A1400-8
rmk1 #203433 04/07/08 07:14 PM
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Interesting feature. I read that paper, Rob, and like his technique for making the amp more heat efficient. On the other hand, I doubt that impedance change will get you "tube" sound in the mid and high drivers. Perhaps this impedance/voltage thingee is there to appeal to tube fans. Many designers over the years have tried to come up with topologies that get the best of transistors and tubes. I'm glad Carver doesn't use tubes in a hybrid amp design. In any event, it looks like a very robust and beefy amp, one that will be hard to clip and should provide high quality amplification and sound .

The only way I know to successfully achieve the "tube" sound Carver is suggesting in his paper is by dedicating a formidable tube amp to drive the mid/highs and a separate SS amp connected to the woofers. If you can get the gains matched and the amps are close enough in phase, the presentation can be superb. I've employed such a setup with a McIntosh MC2102 and a Bryston 4BSST.

On another note, I was at the Montreal Audio Show this weekend and there were hybrid tube/SS amps on display at stratospheric prices which didn't sound good compared to dedicated SS or tube amp setups. Such hybrid amps are notoriously unstable. I once had a 300w Moscode tube/SS hybrid amp which fried my mid and high drivers.


John
Re: A1400-8
EFalardeau #203445 04/07/08 10:33 PM
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 Originally Posted By: EFalardeau

Yes hot is relative. And relatives like company!
To complete your post, it would be nice if you ran some comparisons (one at high volume would be nice), but also compare it to the temp of your computer, your DVD player idle/playing and so on...
Thanks in advance.


OK, I left the amp running for about 9 hours with the volume on the preamp (a Denon AVR-3806) turned all the way down.
The amp’s temp was 44C.
The Denon’s temp was 35C and my Motorola DCT 6412 DVR, which is always left on, was 36C. Both the receiver and the cable box are in a unit that is closed top, bottom and sides.
Room temp was 21C

The A1400-8’s manual states:
“Precautions: Air flow in the bottom vents and out the top vents of your A1400-8 is very important. Do not block these vents in anyway. Your A1400-8 is designed to operate in ambient temperatures up to 30 degrees C (86F). Since the A1400-8 will actually cool down as you increase the output please be sure to turn off your amplifier in very high ambient temperature conditions when not in use.”

Andrew Marshall in his Audio Ideas Guide review suggests connecting the input of the typically unused 8th channel to a signal source. Would be nice to hear what Axiom recommends.

Re: A1400-8
jakeman #203447 04/07/08 10:36 PM
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 Originally Posted By: jakeman
Interesting feature. I read that paper, Rob, and like his technique for making the amp more heat efficient. On the other hand, I doubt that impedance change will get you "tube" sound in the mid and high drivers. Perhaps this impedance/voltage thingee is there to appeal to tube fans. Many designers over the years have tried to come up with topologies that get the best of transistors and tubes. I'm glad Carver doesn't use tubes in a hybrid amp design. In any event, it looks like a very robust and beefy amp, one that will be hard to clip and should provide high quality amplification and sound .

The only way I know to successfully achieve the "tube" sound Carver is suggesting in his paper is by dedicating a formidable tube amp to drive the mid/highs and a separate SS amp connected to the woofers. If you can get the gains matched and the amps are close enough in phase, the presentation can be superb. I've employed such a setup with a McIntosh MC2102 and a Bryston 4BSST.

On another note, I was at the Montreal Audio Show this weekend and there were hybrid tube/SS amps on display at stratospheric prices which didn't sound good compared to dedicated SS or tube amp setups. Such hybrid amps are notoriously unstable. I once had a 300w Moscode tube/SS hybrid amp which fried my mid and high drivers.


You always have an interesting take on things John, thanks. I have no base line for a Tube vs. SS amp comparison so the slight changes I notice with Sunfire’s Current Source outputs may well be imagined. I did feel that the Sunfire was just as powerful but a bit less bright sounding but again, that observation is subjective at best. I know Axiom has a winner with this amp and I’m glad I had a chance to run one in my system.

Re: A1400-8
rmk1 #203474 04/08/08 02:42 AM
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Does anyone know how this amp the 1400 sounds ,compare to say the outlaw 7900 300x7 amp?

Re: A1400-8
jsw #203479 04/08/08 03:33 AM
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 Originally Posted By: jsw

Does anyone know how this amp the 1400 sounds ,compare to say the outlaw 7900 300x7 amp?


Below clipping level - the same.
The Axiom is about 90 lbs. lighter and does not require 2 separate AC power circuits.

Re: A1400-8
Dundas #203518 04/08/08 03:48 PM
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Plus the outlaw is not a digital amp.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: A1400-8
SirQuack #203527 04/08/08 04:39 PM
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Plus, it's not going to dynamically deliver higher output. I don't know about you guys, but I seriously doubt that I need 300 watts for the surrounds. The Axiom amp is unique in its ability to dump it's entire capability into whatever channels need it.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: A1400-8
tomtuttle #203556 04/08/08 07:19 PM
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yup like my m80's. \:\) , oh wait, I don't have the amp, \:\(


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: A1400-8
SirQuack #203558 04/08/08 07:59 PM
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Slew rate of that 7x300 is also only 50V (compared to +80V for A1400). Micro-dynamics and accuracy would thus be less impressive than the A1400. 50V is not bad per se, but for the same price or so, the difference is almost a no brainer (at least for me or classical music listener in general).


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Re: A1400-8
EFalardeau #203563 04/08/08 08:59 PM
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And don't forget about the long-term savings in energy costs. \:\)


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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