It's amazing what a person can learn about HT in a span of about 4 weeks. Someone said on this site the Axiom M80Ti setup sounds a lot like the Paradigm Studio 100's(v.3), and when I listened to them I thought they sounded real good. Smooth low and mid range tones, just a tad bright in the upper end(running of a decent Rotel pre/pro combo).
Now, the hardware question. Like most, I have a budget that has yet to be fully tested, but am looking at the Denon 3805. I like all the inputs, features, quality and cost. I had considered adding an Anthem amp(MCA50, or PVA model) to the mix to really make the system shine. Do you think I could run the Anthem in this setup(maybe a combination with the Denon amp), and would it be worth it? Or maybe a different pre-amp or amp, but remember, there is somewhat of a budget.
I know there's quite a few Axiom/Denon pairings out there, and some who have seperates, and I'm interested in all your opinions.
Thanks everyone in advance.
David:
This is in absolutely no way meant to step on your toes, hijack the thread, or belittle your question (I promise!
), but I think it's certainly related enough to post here:
Why would someone look at a receiver like the 3805 and right off the top plan on adding an amp to it, replacing some of what you just purchased? I can understand if, after purchasing it, you find that it doesn't have enough power for your needs. But if planned from the beginning, wouldn't it just make more sense to take what you would have spent on the Denon and another amp together and just buy a five channel amp with a good pre-pro?
Again, I'm not belittling your question; I just see so many people doing this and wonder why? I think there's something I'm missing!
FWIW, I love my 3805 if that in any way offers help so I'm not accused of hijacking!
I under stand your point, and I'm looking at it from this perspective. While I haven't heard the Denon with the Axioms yet, it really seems that seperates do offer some advantages over combined A/V receivers. Everything from quality sound, upgrade options, and more range and depth in the total speaker playback with the higher amps.
That being said, the reason I'm thinking about the Denon as a pre is I can't find anything out their in a seperate that has all the inputs, video upconversion, and quality sound but still is under $1,000. Even more, it seems all the seperates don't emphasise all those features of the Denon until you get to $2,000 or more.
I probably don't know enough about seperate pre's, but if someone can point me to a good one or two that can do all those features, I'm highly interested. This will be a 50/50 theater/music setup, and if I can get the software upgbrade feature too, that would seal the deal.
Thanks for the question, I guess it does seem strange to spend that kind of money only to use half the product.
What is your total budget for both components ATCGuy?
ATCGuy,
maybe you would be better, or rather more cheaply, served by looking at the Denon 2805 or 2105. They have similar feature sets to the 3805 but are substantially cheaper. IMO, if you're pairing it with an external amp, you're probably better to go that route and save some money for other things. Good luck!
My 2805 does great with my 60's, 150, 350, and 4 qs8's. No plans to add amps anytime soon. Room is 30' x 30' with 9' ceilings.
I was trying to keep the receiver and/or seperates to around $2,000(give or take a couple hundred). However, if a little more money puts me in that next higher grouping of components, I'd consider it. It seems to me that people are either in that $1,000 or below reciever range, or way up in the $2,500++ seperates catagory, with nothing in between.
I really want the system to sound full, enveloping and vibrant, and that's why I was leaning toward the seperates. Not saying that todays better receivers won't put out good sound, I just want GREAT sound(I know,I know, it's the holy grail!). I think the Axioms are a good start, but the pairing of hardware is the hard part for me. In preamps, I've looked at the Outlaw 950, NAD T163, Rotel 1068, but all seem to be missing one item or another. Maybe I'm too picky, but isn't it possible to get everything in that Denon just in a seperate for $1,000-$2,000??
Features I like:
- 7.1 DDS/DPL IIx system
- Burr-Brown DACS
- AL24 processing
- Video upconversion
- 3 or more component video ins.
- THD <.1%
- Multi-zone (at least 2)
And a few others, but if I'm missing something here, let me know. I just don't know what hardware to settle on.
I came across the same thing. I boosted my budget to 2K and the best you really can do is a high end receiver (if you choose to ignore the Outlaw - I did mainly because it's getting dated). I'm very happy with my Arcam AVR-300. It's $2200, but I got it for under $2000 at my local dealer. It promises to put out 100 watts per channel all channels driven simultaniously. And it's a clean sound that leans a little towards warm, so it's a good balance for the Axiom speakers. I would consider looking at that as well...
ATCGuy,
if your budget is in the $2K neighbourhood, I would agree with some of the others that you are probably better sticking with a quality receiver for now (unless you are in a very, very large room). The Denon 3805 is almost surely going to produce more volume/power than you'll use. If you can wait for it and fork over a few more bucks, the upcoming 4806(4805?) might be worth consideration too. I'd be sure either of these will push your speakers well beyond where you'd comfortably listen to them. However, if you get it setup and feel that you're still a little short on power, you can easily add a decent external amp for cheap, especially if the used market is a consideration.
Let us know what you decide and be sure to post pics when you're done!
Just as a data point for you, I have M80's. I was originally driving them with an Outlaw Audio 1050, it's an integrated receiver rated at 65w X 5. Not knowing any better, I thought it sounded good. Then a co-worker let me borrow his 2 x 200W Threshold amp, what a HUGE difference. They sounded like totally different speakers. Much more bass, more punch, more detailed. So i just had to upgrade. The same co-worker (he is a very high end audiphile) suggested I get a used Aragon 4004, 2 x 200W. I picked one up for $600 on Audiogon and couldn't be happier. The oulaw still powers all the other channels, and the Aragon powers the M80's.
Outlaw makes a newer pre-amp the model 950 (it's not that new) maybe it will work for you?
That Arcam AVR300 is an interesting unit. Haven't read a bad thing yet on it, and the feature list is impressive. Anybody else have experience with that one, or with Aragon amps??
That sounds more like what I'm thinking. Would going with a Aragon 2005 be overkill, or simply monoblock the fronts to 200wpc??
I know there's other amps out there, I just want to find something that's really going to fill out these speakers.
ACTGuy,
I have a 3803 powering my 7.1 Axiom based system. A few months ago I got a case of upgraditis and added a H/K high current stereo power amp with 200WPC (Model is Signature 1.5 if you are interested). It made an enormous difference to the punch and presence of my front M60's. You are going down a good path - go for it.
Stuart
I purchased a H/K 635 and it powers the 80s VERY well.