Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo eyeing on the A1400-8

Hello guys,

I have been looking for a class-d amplifier for my m80v2s for a while. For people who have the privilege to audition both the A1400-8 and a Rotel 1092 (for 2 channel) how do they compare?

The other question I have is, I have a tube buffered DAC and I am also looking for a Stereo preamp to use with the A1400-8, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

I'm curious, how does a tube 'buffer' a DAC?

Personally i'm waiting for the A1400-2 to arrive, if ever before giving it a whirl.

Not sure how it really works but it sounds really great. I'd say it's my best HiFi investment ever. It really makes a big different if you use iTunes or any lossless format. First auditioned it in a friend of mine's place with Accuphase preamp/amp. Plug-in airTune to this little guy, even though it's only got unbalanced output but it's just... spectacular!

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue38/mhdt_paradisea.htm

I'm also looking to get the upgraded version - Havana
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/3/33069.html

cheers,

P.S. a A1400-2 would be really nice

I would think that an A1400-8 would fit as an A1400-2. By the nature of its design if you are only driving 2 channels then you get the 1400W total power in 2 channels, or 700W each channel. If you really needed 1400W for each channel then you can just get 2 of them.

I would love an A-1400 but don't want to drop that kind of cash on an amp.

I am likely going to buy an emotiva xpa-2 which will give me 500 wpc to my m80's.

Heck, I might even buy 2 of em and use them in bridged mode for 1000 wpc.

My 3 channel 400 @ 4ohm rarely goes above 7 watts at ear bleeding levels.

You must be in a church to need 1000 wpc!

No, I absolutely have no need for it at all... just sounds cool to say 1000 wpc!

I think my denon 3808 does a fine job of driving my m80's in my space... but the xpa-2 is relatively cheap. I will buy one more than likely... not two.

I have auditioned the RB-1092 (2x500W) with an Anthem prepro and the RMB-1095 (5x200W) with the Lexicon MC12 in two different rooms of a high-end shop. They both sounded great. I think the the RB-1092 was $2500.

I auditoned the A1400-8 in my house with the Integra DTC-9.8 and M80s. This is a much different setup, but I thought the Axiom amp sounded spectacular in stereo and multi-channel modes. The clarity, speed of attack, and power delivery into dynamic peaks were simply superb (and superior). I also discovered that the M80s are capable of a lot more performance in high volumes than I was used to with my previous 110W/channel receiver. As Dave mentioned, the Axiom amp can divert all of its power into the number of channels driven. You can technically get 700W per channel in stereo mode. If you are using a 20A circuit, power on tap is even more. For an additional $1300 outlay, the Axiom amp provides six additional channels compared to the RB-1092 and obviates the need for a separate 5-channel amp to derive the usual 7-channels for an HT application. For me, the Axiom amp was the clear choice.

I don't have much personal experience with stereo preamps to give a meaningful recommendation.

John

But who wants to pay the extra $$ if you only want two channel capability and not 8?
I for one would prefer a 2k or less model before considering it.

I dunno, 1/4 of the channels, 1/4 the price. Right?

Oh yeah, there's the cabinet and r&d, too, huh....