Oh, no. My bad luck has resurfaced. I didn't even have any sound going through my amp, and there was a loud pop and a flash of light to go with it at the back of the unit. I looked down fast enough to see it. I didn't necessarily want to leave it on after that. I turned it off, but then I turned it back on to see if a channel had indeed given up its ghost. I only checked the sound in the front three speakers because I didn't want to have it on longer than necessary. The left speaker was no longer producing sound, but the center and right speaker seemed to be normal. So I know that it did affect at least one channel. It's never good timing, but I have a new friend I was going to show my system off to. Here's hoping I can get a working unit quickly.

More bad luck. I was going to use my Dayton T-amp as a temporary measure for stereo, but in trying to pull my Blue Jeans interconnect off, it pulled out the RCA jack on the T-amp. Oops. Is someone playing with voodoo doll versions of my gear?

Sorry to hear about the bad luck, you should still have 6 good channels in the A1400, so you still have an excellent 5-6 channel system to show your friend then get the amp repaired.

Apparently so, Charles; but don't worry, I still like you.

Thanks, John.

Jason, true, but right now I'm just a bit scared to plug it in and turn it on again. Anyway, do you think the intermittent hum I was experiencing (mentioned in another thread somewhere) was related to the amp's impending failure? I haven't heard the hum since hooking up my AudioSource amp, but since it would come and go, maybe it's just its downtime.

In any case, I have an email in to Axiom, so here's hoping they can give me some good news.

One thing that would help when these channel failures happen is if these amps were modular. I don't know how many more problems that would introduce, but it sure would be much more convenient to send only the bad channels back instead of the whole unit. Axiom should consider that for future iterations.

Kinda like somebody with a prosthetic limb.

Exactly my problem with this (especially this) and other multi-channel amps. If I ever buy any SS amps they will likely be monoblocks.

Having some monoblocks around would be very handy, I think.

I was going to ask for advice on what amplification I should have around as a backup for the next time I run into a failure (and it would also serve to handle the heights and wides whenever I get a pre-pro that can do those), but after looking at some options, it seemed like the best thing to do would be to go with a receiver with preouts at this point. I'll lose my precious balanced connections for now, but I've been lusting after some of the more recent receiver features, and when the pre-pro I really want finally arrives, I can pass this temporary receiver on to my parents, who are using my last crappy low-end model.

Soooo... I went with an Onkyo TX-NR708. It seemed to hit my sweet spot for price and features, so I should get that tomorrow. I also ordered multichannel audio interconnects from Blue Jeans Cable to go from the receiver's preouts to my amp whenever I get my amp back from Axiom. I haven't sent it yet, as they're shipping me a box, since I no longer have the original packaging. I have to say that once again I'm very happy with Axiom's customer service. While the hiccups are disappointing, they're making sure I'm taken care of.

Speaking of Onkyo receivers, you've probably seen the news about the TX-NR609. What's the deal with the 4K upscaling? While it's something I would love, how many displays are actually able to run at that resolution?

At least you used your amp and it worked, mine didn't do a thing right out of the box. That is disheartening, let me tell you.

I had a Rotel that did the same thing. Took it back and got a brand new one, the left channel went out in a week. Got a brand new one again and it been good for 6 years now.

Spending $4k on something thats supposed to do 8 things just never seemed like a good idea to me. Irregardlessical of the mfgr.

It's like those nasty TV/VCR combos. One thing craps out, and the whole unit has to go on vacation.

For the same $$, I'd do 7 Outlaws (discount for multiples) and an Integra pre/pro, or some similar combo.

If one of 'em bit it, you'd still be substantially in business while it was out being repaired.

I went through three 400w Macs (in my car) in a year. Each time I called, they were more embarrassed and contrite than the time before.

They went way overboard to please me. Made the appts. for me at a local dealer, overnighted it each time, and called me to see if things were working out---both times.

And, of course, when you're home stereo is being repaired, you can still drive (have) you car.

Good thing it wasn't my car!

Be careful with this amp and make sure you shut it down when disconnecting speakers and rcas.

Audioholics review unit caught fire if I remember correctly.

Are you talking about the Rotel?

I am deleted

I believe that any amp or audio component should be switched off when connecting or disconnecting other equipment...I'm sure this is noted in the the instructions for the Axiom amp.