Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions integrated amp for the M3ti

Steve, since your receiver is an HK525, it certainly would seem to be redundant to get an integrated amp. The 525 has plenty of power for your present setup and even the other speakers you mention. There would be no difference in sound quality.

Setting aside issues of sound quality for a second, be aware that with an integrated amp, you would be replacing the reciever, except for use as a tuner, possibly. I think what you would want to look into, if you believe that amplifiers change/improve the sound, would be a power amp.

That's right, kcarlile. He would use the HK as a processor/preamp, use the preouts bypassing the HK's internal amps. An integrated amp would be unnecessary - a power amp would be the purest use of external amplification.

Steve, if you want to upgrade the sound of your main speakers, go ahead and try adding a new amplifier (you don't need an integrated because your receiver will act as a preamp). Hook it up to the preouts of your reciever and see if there is an improvement in sound quality. If not return the amp to the store. The only way to tell if something will sound better is to try it.

Thanks everyone. I've been considering whether to
go separate entirely like a 5 channel amp or stick with the stereo amps . For the price of 2 C270s, I could spring for something like a ATI or Marantz M9000.

If you can still get a MM9000 for a good price, jump on it. I just got one, and it sounds great. I got it for a fraction of its original MSRP and free shipping to boot from accessories4less.com.

Mark

To follow up on this thread, I've finally got the full system together:
m3ti
NAD 520 bee cd player
NAD C320 bee integrated amp

It sounds great, and plays surprisingly loud. The amp only 50 watts, but provides plenty of power to get the m3's going louder than I would ever need.

A few comments on the m3's.
strengths: sharp imaging, great soundstage and smooth treble. The tweeter is nice. Overall the speaker is very pleasant to listen to. When I hooked them up to my tube system (anthem amp 1 etc.) they were very sweet sounding in a big 18' by 18' room.

Weaknesses: bass is there but not tight at all. It goes "poof" instead of giving a really good kick drum sound. there's something wierd going on in the upper midrange that isn't as smooth as the rest of the spectrum. Detail is good but not as good as other speakers (much more expensive speakers of course).

I won't gripe anymore though because I think these speakers are a really good value. Everyone that heard them at my house was very impressed and the general concensus was that the m3's are complete winners at their price. I'm happy with the purchase and will likely be keeping these speakers for a long time.

thanks for all the comments!

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Weaknesses: bass is there but not tight at all. It goes "poof" instead of giving a really good kick drum sound.

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Poof? Hmm... my M3s don't go "poof"... maybe you got a pair returned by Spiffnme (Booooooo!).

Bren R.

In reply to:

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Poof? Hmm... my M3s don't go "poof"... maybe you got a pair returned by Spiffnme (Booooooo!).

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Took me a second to get that....wow. That was lame. Here's one for you...When is a door not a door?












When it's ajar, of course.


I think we'd better leave Ray, and Peter with the job of local jokesters.

With friends like these, who needs enemas?