Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Help needed with M5HP receiver options

Hello there,
I have just ordered a pair of M5HPs and now shopping for something to power those speakers. The primary objective is to deliver excellent musical experience within reasonable budget. My audio sources include a collection of CDs (most ripped to FLAC), Tidal, Spotify and Internet Radio. The basement, where M5PH will be installed, also hosts 50" TV, 4k blu-ray player and a gaming console. I'd like all of that connected to and played by a single receiver which would power the set of M5HP. We are not super-high on surround idea, though we do not exclude it in the future.

After some research I ended up with 2 potential directions:

Option "1": get a stereo amplifier with HDMI inputs and ability to play digital formats/streams. The candidates are Denon DRA-800H and Marantz NR1200. Denon's output is 100W and Marantz 75W. Their list of features is almost identical and both can play most of digital/streaming sources. Marantz is $100 CAD more, probably there is a reason.

Option "2": move with fully fledged AV Receiver, such as Yamaha RX-A780 or Denon AVR-X1600H. They are almost head-to-head though Yamaha seems to be slightly ahead in terms of inputs, supported digital formats and output power.

Since the price range of all those 4 systems is similar, the pros for stereo systems may be higher quality build, but I do not really know. The pros for AV Receiver is certainly a future opening for surround, but again, not primary goal.

Could anyone on this forum provide a helpful hint what would make most sense from the perspective of musical quality? Are AV Receivers capable of delivering the same sound experience when you downmix their output to classic stereo, or there will be a noticeable improvement going with stereo-amplifiers?

Thanks in advance!

There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, in those two stereo amps that the surround amps don't have. If you look at the power supply photos, they are virtually identical across the products you referenced. The specs are virtually identical. A few tens of Watts won't make an appreciable difference.

Out of all those choices, I would definitely go with the Yammie. The built-in YPAO calibration, sound formats and other audio features will serve you well. Note though that it doesn't have Tidal (just get a Firestick). When you want to get into multi-channel, this receiver will do the job. It even has Atmos built in.

It is 6 Ohm capable so no worries there with the M5. When you get it, do NOT set the speaker switch to 6 Ohms. Leave it at 8. Otherwise it will fold back the voltage to the M5s and will reduce dynamics.

I think you'd be really happy with it compared to the other three.

Mojo,
your reply is much appreciated and something I needed. Very good observation on the built. You are right that under the hood, the stereo amps and surround receivers (from respective brands) look extremely close.

I've never own Yamaha but was always curious. It looks like the opportunity has finally opened. I am surprised they did not embed support for Tidal but probably can swallow that...

Having your recommendation is a huge help. You have not only provided solution to my dilemma but also gave few very useful hints.

Thank you very much !

You're welcome. Is this your first set-up?

No, it is not my first system.

I am running Arcam A75 with PSB Image/5T speakers and Nakamichi MB10 CD-changer. I've got that (plus Arcam T61 AM/FM Tuner) in 2002. This configuration sounds really great - at least to my ears - and has delivered thousands of hours of fantastic, enjoyable music. They still keep going, though Nakamichi started showing a bit of wear (btw. it is truly a piece of art when it comes to their CD-bank solution).
I also own a pair of Totem's Arro speakers for my bedroom that work wonders with TEAC CR-H220 mini-player/receiver. Ever since I've got that set (second-hand in 2012) I am in love with it.

I am spur-excited to see my M5HP coming (probably end of next week). The are going to be my 3rd pair of Canadian speakers and I could not be happier about that. I truly believe we are the world's elite in that business and hope the orient will not take it all/soon

Cheers!

The M5s will provide greater detail and transparency than the PSB and Totem. I had the Dreamcatcher but I kept blowing parts of it up...LOL! You will not be able to blow the M5 up. My M5 brought an ADA-1000 to its knees and I fed it almost everything the ADA-1500 had to give. Ian told me to give it more but I was afraid I'd ignite it. Tons of dynamics.

I'm not saying the PSB and Totem are bad BTW. They are different. It's like the difference between the M5 and M3 or M3 and M2. The dedicated mid-range makes a big difference.

Let us know what you think. M5s are not only excellent, they are a great value. I am really curious how they hold up against the Arro soundstage and imaging.

Mojo,
I appreciate what you said about Totem's and PSB's and, I especially value your opinion about M5HP. It boosts my confidence in the choice I've made. As to PSB/T5, they surely deliver, but ...that's it. They are clear and even sport a good punch but, on overall, unispiring. Arro's are more refined and joyful and yes you called it well "have soundstage and imaging" but they are bit too soft. They are good choice for a bedroom or dining room but not much above or beyond.

So I eventually realized I'd like something more articulate and, well.... as you said, detailed. And I wanted something of a different size than floor-towers. The idea of a good looking and robust bookshelf system was born... When I discovered M5PH, I just got this feeling of being exposed to a brand new opportunity. Something fresh and innovative and truly different, than the rest of the market offers. After reading few reviews and watching the youtube I could not stop thinking about them. I needed 1 year to arrive to an absolute confidence those are the speakers I really want. Once I snapped, I ordered them without ever listening to them but that just brings extra excitement.

I cannot wait when I will be able to hook them up to my Arcam and compare side-by-side against my T5s and Arros. I have also "contracted" my friend's reference 120W Denon amplifier for auditions It is going to be a lot of fun! I will definitely share my impressions with you.

P.S. As a side-note: I was curious what is ADA-1000 referred in your post. That lead to a discovery that Axiom not only makes/sells p-amplifiers but they also come with toroidal transformers. This is something to remember and spread the good news around.

You sure pontificated long enough. Such patience.

All Axiom power supplies are linear and come with toroidal transformers and ample capacitance. The only exceptions are the little guys consisting of the portable Airs and the PC speakers.

What finish did you get for your M5s?

I ordered Cherry/Cinnamon. It was my wife who did that part. She suggested that Cinnamon will keep them visible without too much contrast. I agreed. The speakers have a very handsome look and they deserve visibility. We have dark oak and acacia hardwood, so finishes like Boston or Bordeaux, or darker wood, like walnut, would melt with the background.

What system are you currently using? If it is M5HP with ADA-1000, would you share the brands/models of other components, such as CD-payer, digital streamer etc ?

I forgot but, most notably, I am very curious about the pre-amp section and DAC, in case you are using a dedicated one. Thanks!