Re: What the?
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141 |
excerpt from the Audioholics review: I completely destroyed the first sample Axiom sent me when I was doing a power sweep test and forgot to attach a test load. Once my test gear reached 20kHz, the unloaded amp hit a resonant peak (caused by the unloaded output filter) and blew up the output devices and zobel networks. Luckily Axiom had the foresight to design the amplifier to self contain the fire as I was in no immediate harm, but the smell was horrific and something I hope to never experience again. Granted my scenario is highly unlikely in the real world but the lack of protection for this type of scenario was a bit unsettling to me.
I managed to test my second unit without incident until I was swapping cables in my sound lab. I was comparing the Axiom A1400-8 and my Denon POA-A1HDCI amp on a pair of my bookshelf reference speakers while also switching over to my reference towers. Everything was fine until I decided to bi-amp my towers and move the cables over with both amps turned on. I never recommend this but as a reviewer trying to switch out as quickly as possible for the most accurate results, I got a bit reckless and took the risks for the benefit of our readers. On my towers, I had the Axiom A1400-8 powering the subs. As I switched over my live speaker cables from my Denon amp to the mid/tweet portion of my towers, I heard a loud popping sound and saw sparks come off the speaker cable and terminal lug of my speakers. I looked over to the rack and both amps were still on and no smoke or smell was evident. My speakers were also perfectly fine, no damage to any of the drivers! However, channels 5 and 6 of the Axiom amp were now dead. I have no idea what happened here but from my experience of accidentally shorting amplifiers out when powered on, they typically shut off and protect themselves. The user manual also warns that if this amplifier is shorted when outputting 200 watts or greater, serious damage will occur. Yet they still gave it a very positive review. They (Audioholics) should have issued a clearer warning of danger for buyers/users of this amp!
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 533
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 533 |
Hi,
I will let Axiom’s engineer, Andrew Welker, give the details on current state of the Axiom A1400 amplifiers . . . but meanwhile . . .
You have to take a few steps back and look at the entire picture. For several years Axiom felt the need to offer to the owners of its flagship audio speaker models an amplifier which could extract their full potential. There was no existing technology/amplifier on the market capable to meet Axiom’s goal.
Axiom created a new digital amplifier ignoring the popular modules of the time because of their limits. Its revolutionary design addressed specifically the “clipping” issue common to all existing audio amplifiers. I, for one, strongly believe that the “delivery of power” is the explanation for the sound difference heard between amplifiers. Axiom’s innovative approach also allowed a multi-channels amplifier to deliver its full potential to any of its channel on demand – another first. Its design also corrected the flaws inherent to the existing digital amplifiers of the time; flaws which were expressed by the audio community about all digital amplifiers.
Another goal was to make it affordable. The Axiom A1400 amplifiers may seem expensive because of the exceptional low prices associated to its other products. It is not a level of price which Axiom owners have been exposed to when shopping for other Axiom products. It gives the false impression that it is very expensive; the reality is totally different - its price is very low when you consider its level of performance and the competition.
The Axiom A1400 amplifier allowed demanding audio speakers (regardless of brands) to express their full potential in a way they were never able to do before. I have sold and owned much more expensive amplifier brands and I can testify that they could not deliver the level of performance effortlessly delivered by the Axiom A1400.
I’m not stating that is was free of problems but, as usual, Axiom was there for the customers needing support and offered the best possible solution.
jc
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141 |
You have to take a few steps back and look at the entire picture. For several years Axiom felt the need to offer to the owners of its flagship audio speaker models an amplifier which could extract their full potential. There was no existing technology/amplifier on the market capable to meet Axiom’s goal. That's interesting considering the Emotiva XPA-2 delivers more power than the A1400 into 4 ohm loads and only costs $700 and doesn't have reliability issues. Anthem amps are even more powerful and around the same price as the A1400...
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
500 watts/4 ohms is less than the specs on the 1400, which could allocate all of its power into any given speaker at any given moment, something none of the Elmo's can do.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357 |
If they are reknowned for their electronics AND they make speakers, don't buy the speakers.
Converse applies. I too have followed this principal for a long time, and as often as I can.
The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466 |
I think the 1400 tends to top out at about 700 Watts into 4 Ohms, even with only a single channel driven. But that still beats most everything out there. It will deliver 1200 Watts into 2 Ohms, though.
Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011 Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8 Sony PS4, surround backs -Chris
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 141 |
According to the AH reviews:
The Axiom A1400 does 505watts 1CH driven, 4 ohms.
The Emotiva XPA-2 does 515 watts 1 CH driven, 4 ohms, and >860 watts 1CH driven, 8 ohms bridged.
How much more power do you need for a typical home than that???
If you want kilowatt power, get a Crown. Crown's don't break either...
Last edited by JBall; 02/18/11 05:50 PM.
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270 |
JBall,
Several Emotiva amplifiers have had consistent problems driving 4-ohm loads and would shut down when used to drive Axiom's 4-ohm M80s. Moreover, a senior Audioholics contributor acknowledged to me (privately) that Emotiva amplifiers have "issues" when I raised the subject of relibility.
Alan Lofft, Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
Dude, you are a negative nelly. You consistently harsh my mellow.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: What the?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 769
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 769 |
+1 here. It is becoming really old really fast. Nobody says the A1400 is perfect. Nobody says the M80s are perfect. Let people that actually have the devices comment about them instead of keeping on diminishing something that you'll never buy anyway. Buy yourself a Camry. Buy yourself some Revels and put them in your Camry. Don't forget to buy some outriggers for the Revels and also put them in your Camry. Order online a Crown that doesn't break so it won't break in your Camry. Connect all your equipment, masturbate to it and stop trolling on this forum.
Bruno M80s/VP180/QS8s/EP600/AVR-890 ------------------------------------ "The problem is choice..."
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