Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater QS8s Ordered/ Now For The Separates

Yeah but If I sold the Rockets, I wouldn't need the Arcams.

Rat,

That site is the US distributor for Arcam. If you poke around you'll find a dealer locator link.

Any more links to reviews or pictures of the gear?

It would be nice to have another review or two and a picture of the connector layout on the back. From what I have seen, the pre/ processor and its companion amp look pretty nice.

I'm going to study the specs a little more.

Look around the site an also Google and you nshould be able to find a little more info. Not much is out there since both pieces are brand new and haven't been available for sale yet. There is a lot of speculation as to the exact date of availability, most likely within the next two weeks.

Did a couple of web searches, but not much is there!

I have been looking at a lot of receiver, pre processor and amplifier specifications trying to assess what the fundamental differences may be as a function of price.

The receiver versus the amplifier (as part of seperates) is rather straight forward. I think that we have researched some "ground truth" on how receiver amplifiers are rated (good old FTC spec and 1/8 power supplies). For the seperate amplifiers, I think that all channels rated/ tested simultaneoulsy in RMS power is the key factor. The comparison between the receiver and separate amplifier is an apples to peaches comparison, I realize, but I understand the differences.

But, what do you look for in comparison for the pre processor? Most of the receivers seem to have all the features of the pre processors, maybe more features when you consider XM radio, HDMI switching, software upgradability, and IEEE ports.

I was looking at the new Yahama RX-V4600 receiver. It seems to have more features than any pre processor in the $1000 - $2500 range. It appears that you could buy the Yahama and buy a 5 channel, 200 watt separate amp and have a "killer" system for about the same price as the new Denon 4806 or less than some of the name brand separates.

What am I missing here??????

In my view you're not missing anything, Bernard; the engineering facilities of large manufacturers such as Yamaha and the huge quantities that they sell receivers in allow them to be more cost-effective when used as both processors and amplifiers than separate components of similar performance. In some cases this may be true even if a separate amp is added and the receiver is used as a processor, "throwing away" some or all of its amp channels.

What am I missing here??????

IMO, you pretty much got it! you are "missing" the 2 channel PURE music sound of a real pre/pro, this may sound overly critical here, but the sound that a high end (gosh I hate that word/phrase) pre/pro provides on serious 2 channel lisening IS very noticeable. I have considered the Magnepan 3.6s for some time, and did finally purchase them. Still playing the positioning game with them. It's not perfect, what is?, but something else! On HT the difference is not near as impressive. However I have not "matched" the maggies, and have been told the QS-8s would still be a great surround choice. I still have my Yam 1500 receiver, I slip it in there for my own curiosity it has more "features" but can't hold a candle to true 2 channel sound of the Sunfires. Most high featured receivers/processors would have more sound fields and features than expensive pre/pros. They were always called pre amps till HT! Anyhow, there are preamps that sell for 10K that would have no real "features" but would put you in heaven with the right amp and speakers, so, again, to each their own I guess. Do you want the BEST 2 channel sound? The best HT? or both, It's only money. There are some great pre/pros that excell at both, but are not the "best" at both, but then again you are back to bucks.

I totally agree with you, separates make a big difference for a 2 channel stereo, while not so much for Home Theater. Anyway, I am probably not in a position to really give a decent opinion, since I have a great stereo system but a bad HT (HTIB, and yes... shame on me). So, please consider only the first part of my above statement ;-)

Jon: I'm strickly focused on HT.

Next "big" item that I purchase will probably be a 61" Samsung HD TV.