Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Sherwood Newcastle A-965?

I might trade my m22's for some m80's, but I would need to upgrade my amplifier abilities. Right now I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-94Txh and if I were upgrade to the 4ohm M80's I would need something that is rated to power such a speaker. In which case this 7 channel amp would seem a great fit. However, I have no knowledge as to hook up this amp to my Pioneer, and so I would need information prior that would ensure my abilities to do this.

Even so, I would love to learn how to hook up an external amp to my receiver. Could anyone help me to understand how to make this happen?

max

You hook up the amp to the receiver's pre-outs. Just use regular RCA cables.

Well, hooking it up is easy. Just use analog RCA cables from the pre-outs on the back of the AVR (upper in middle of Rx) to an amp. The SN seems like a really expensive solution, however, at $1500 MSRP for 160 watts into 4 ohms.

Are you sure you're Elite won't do an adequate job with 4 ohms?

Max, there's no good reason for you to assume that such a change in amplification would be necessary. Your 94 has substantial capacity into 4 ohms(over 200 watts)and many similar receivers have driven M80s well for years. It's been THX Select2 certified, and among the requirements of that certification was a tested ability to drive a below 4 ohm load at a certain level. Regardless of any "rating", try the M80s first, which are in fact slightly above average in sensitivity and are easier to drive than many other speakers.

One more vote to make the trade and then deal with the amp if it has issues. I have M22s and M80s and you will love the M80s, they have a much fuller, richer sound than the M22s and are worth the extra money spent, IMO.

I'll be watching this thread as I have a Pio Elite 94. This Elite does not have the mosfet amps of Elites previously. Over on AVS I have checked with people running 4 ohms and none have had issue, but then again no one could reply to how loud their avg db was either. Casual listening is 85-90db. I do listen at 95-100db (before peaks) and worst yet, Classical. So a fair amount of dynamics.

You sir, as your sig says, are indeed in need of an A-1400.

Mark, you're even concerned about the type of output transistors being used? This is an engineering decision to reach the designed performance and shouldn't be of significance to the user.

If you haven't studied the excellent lab test results in the Audioholics review of the 94, it should give additional assurance of the ample power available.

Thanks everyone, if I decide that my m22 setup is not exactly what I want then I will feel secure in swapping m80's with no extra amplification.

On a side note, this receiver is simply amazing. When I went to Magnolia to audition the Yamaha RX-V3800, Denon 3808, and Pio 94 and I blindly chose the pio playing three very different music. They were all coming out of the Sonus Faber Conertino Domus' (which I was set on buying for a time), and everytime I chose the pio. The UI is bad, and the Faroujda chips are obsolete but it simply cannot be beat in sound reproduction. I noticed in particular, that the difference in the Denon (moreso than the Yamaha) was the slight harshness of the instruments. I've heard the term 'bright' and I think that is very apt. On the Yamaha, is was also slightly more bright, but less so. I remember the music being less bright, but also less precise in creating the individual nuances of the music. Once I made my decision the salesman informed me that everyone (despite varying brand loyalties and personal home theater choices) working with him has commented on the great sound this receiver has. Anyways..I rambled, I'm just really happy with it. Thanks for your help!!

max

I wonder how all of the receivers are set up? Flat EQ, or sound processing turned off? Are they SPL leveled?

If "everyone" chooses the same receiver I would have to assume it's not a balanced playing field. I know most shops around here have certain products set up to perform better than others...

I'm glad you're happy with the receiver but I generally feel as though any AVR being run within it's capabilities (no distortion) with all sound processing turned off should be very similar if not the same in sound reproduction. Yes there will be differences in how loud and clean each can go but that's outside of the direct comparison within their capabilities.