Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Emotiva or AudioSource

And let me tell you, I'd love an excuse to buy an amp. I just can't bring myself to do it unless I believe it.

I have used a Sony STRDB 1070 6 channel using internal amplifiers and as a prepro with a stack of 3 Onkyo M282s. No comparison. External amps made it sound much better.

I used an Onkyo TX DS 797 with its internal amps and as a prepro with external amps (Onkyo M504, Yamaha M80 and Kenwood KA9100). Sound quality much improved with external amps.

Ended up with an Integra processor, a single Onkyo Integra M504 and 3 Yamaha M80s. Sounded great.

In an effort to reduce my carbon footprint (not really) I swapped the Integra Processor for an Onkyo TXNR 1007 receiver but kept the M504 for main front L/R speakers (Thiel CS3.6s).

I think this is working but I have not sorted out the receiver yet.

Measurements, measurements. Why does everybody want measurements. Besides, a good looking 2-7 channel amp looks fab.

Ken, that's me....exactly!

I'd be willing to let you guys buy one and try it out.

Rich, that reply from someone on Audiogon is a rather extreme example of using extravagant language in an attempt to make a point when the writer has no credible evidence to support him. I've previously commented about the silliness of using terms such as "huge", "night-and-day", "blows away", etc., in connection with a subject where even subtle audible differences haven't been proven to exist.

The amplification process simply adds voltage to a small incoming voltage from the source material so that there's enough voltage to drive a speaker at an easily audible level. If this is done with audibly level frequency response and inaudibly low noise and distortion, as is typical these days with even modestly priced receivers, the amplification has been done transparently and no sound differences can magically appear. This standard is the same regardless of whether the amplification process is divided between two or three boxes or is integrated in one in a receiver.

Claims to the contrary abound, of course, but collapse when subjected to properly controlled blind listening tests. Anyone selling these items and claiming superior sound would be free to commission such tests by an independent organization, but there appears to be about as much enthusiasm among these folks for that as a vampire has for sunlight.

So what you're saying, John, is that, as long as people don't participate in a properly controlled blind listening test, they'll continue to hear a difference? No wonder people hate blind listening tests so much.

The instruments and voices sound so much clearer Tom, you can hear every little detail. I don't know, you guys can ponder I am enjoying what I hear.J/K

Maybe it's my Bass Traps and power cords, let alone my TUC components and Panamax voltage regulator but I am happy. Always a smile on my face now, listening to music,movies or even the cable TV music channels.

I know, I know..call me what you want but I am really happy with the results, my friends say its the best they ever heard and one has owned Rotel's, McIntosh and such.

I have the M80's, VP150, QS8's, QS4's and two Paradigm subs am really happy with them now with the Onkyo's . I thought the VP150 was lacking but now with the amp it is awesome. All I need are some Heights and I will be set for the 9.2 setup.

Sorry to ramble, just wanted to get that off my chest, it still sounds better John,

Another thing that makes details you've never heard before stand out... Listening closely for them, which is exactly what people do when they get new equipment.

And that lasts for months?



edit: I'm not listening for it, it's just coming to me!