Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Denon 3808, Axiom A1400-8, M80s and a full HT

From Randy’s thread:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=254115#Post254115



Some sort of amplification has been on my list of things to do/get since I started but has been hard to justify living in an apartment. I mean come on what’s the point of having 3xM80s if the most power you ever give them is 120w, kind of like driving a Ferrari and never taking it above second gear. I listen to lots of classical music and know I will need more power to handle the dynamic peaks when I turn up the volume to live performance levels.

The A1400-8 intrigued me from the start because of it’s ability to deliver all it’s power no matter how many channels are driven. This way I could experiment using 2, 3, 5 and 7 channels driven with nothing wasted in any configuration.

What’s really got me going now is this comment:



I love the “open and airy” sound Jay is describing which is one reason I held out for a house with an HT room with a vaulted ceiling. If the A1400-8 enhances this quality it’s a huge plus.

Jay also says “The bass was indeed tighter and hitting lower.” Since I prefer to use my M80s full range getting better base response from them is another plus. Especially since running multiple subwoofers is way far down on my to do/get list.

So after that rather long winded explanation yes I am interested in getting an A1400-8 but still want to do more research before jumping in. I read that Audioholics has a review coming up so I doubt I’ll pull the trigger until I see what they have to say about it too. But thanks to Jay’s great review I’m leaning heavily toward getting one.

I know the A1400-8 is a definite improvement over the entry-level Onkyo I was running (thanks to current-limiting), but it's nice to hear there's a tangible difference between higher-end receivers like the 3808 and it. It would still be nice if a more proper, scientific listening test were to occur with several of the models that have been in discussion lately, including the two units PeterChenoweth trialed along with the 3808 and the A1400-8. Maybe the differences are all inaudible between competently designed units operating within their limits, but it may be surprising just where those limits are for each unit.

Dean, If you send your 1400 to Jay, he can "test" it for you.

Hey the 1400 survived intact, barely.

Sure, I'll test anyone's amp if they want to see how much it can really withstand

Jay, I'm sorry to hear about your receiver and I'm also very curious how this happened as it might help me out with what I should do before I get other people to connect/ disconnect cables on my receiver.

Turn EVERYTHING off and wait for silence, then start your re-wiring. I still had music playing out of the 1400(it has a few second delay before full shut down while the caps drain out) and I am guessing I managed to cross the 2 different sets of speaker wires, heard a little crackle when picking up the 3808 leads, still not really sure if it was from wires arcing or just the amp, really wasn't paying close attention - which was the main cause of the problem. Free space was becoming an issue when trying to swap out 6 pairs of wires, this certainly calls for alot more attention to be paid, at least that is all I will need to pay.

Dean - if you get one as well I'm going to have to rethink my formerly rock-solid position that I had absolutely no need for one of these.

Despite that, I find myself hoping you'll order one to add another well-informed opinion to the debate going on in my brain.

Jason

(hmmmm.......maybe if I can helps sell a bunch of them I will get a 'special' price on one)

Jason if you can afford one buy one and try it out, if you don't find it to work as well as I am saying, you can return it.

Yeah, I've thought about that Jay. Just can't bring myself to spend that much money on an amp. I like my system so much right now that I just can't imagine it being a $4k upgrade. It's more a serious curiosity than anything at this point, but it is gnawing at me to be sure.

Jason

Jay, maybe you could do a world tour. Forum members PM you, you drop in, do an A/B demo, move on.