Axiom Audio A-1400-8 First Look

[mattburk]

bump for review

 

[Audioholics]

Well at the axiom forums we have heard about a possible new speaker in the works to be the new flagship.... So what did Ian say to your question? Inquiring minds want to know

They basically said they are slow to market but it's in the works.

 

[rmk]

A1400-8

I placed an order for the A1400-8 this morning. Should have it in a week or so. A move to a 7.1 prompted a quick upgrade of my power amp. I admit to having some reservations in purchasing a relatively un-tested product at a fairly high price point. On the other hand, I have a 30 day trial period and if it performs as advertised, I will be a happy camper.

Is an Audioholics review of the A1400-8 in the works?

 

[gene]

Is an Audioholics review of the A1400-8 in the works?

Axiom is wanting me to review this amp but my schedule is slammed until I finish the Yamaha RX-Z11 and a few other reviews. I will get this going in March.

I know the designer of this amp. He is one of the best in the industry. This is a solid amp despite it being a bit pricey. Let us know how you like it.

 

[rmk]

Axiom is wanting me to review this amp but my schedule is slammed until I finish the Yamaha RX-Z11 and a few other reviews. I will get this going in March.

I know the designer of this amp. He is one of the best in the industry. This is a solid amp despite it being a bit pricey. Let us know how you like it.

I agree about the price issue but in looking for a high current SS amp that seems to be a competitive number. I did a bit of research and Tom Cumberland has an impressive resume so seemed like a risk worth taking. Not sure why, but I kind of like purchasing new concept stuff .

I will give my layman's take on the amp but I'm really looking forward to your professional review.

 

[rmk]

Here is a Canadian HIFI article on the A1400-8. Not much detail but all that exists at this point. With their limited production (hand building two per day) it might be just as well that there isn't more interest/attention.

http://www.canadahifi.com/review85.php

I'm getting one tomorrow and will do an informal comparison with my Sunfire amp. Any other owners out there?

 

[Kolia]

Sounds like a great place to blow my tax return! Lol!

I can't wait to hear the comments/reviews.

 

[rmk]

I received the A1400-8 this week but headed out for a much needed vacation. I'll be setting it up in the next week or so and have high hopes. Just unpacking it, the unit is unremarkable looking and smallish but heavy for it's size. The Manual is thin but hey its an amp so how much info is required.

A new review just appeared and the reviewer has the same Sunfire amp I have so although it was a little light on data, it was very interesting to me. Here is a link:
http://www.audio-ideas.com/canadian/...amplifier.html

 

[Davemcc]

I received the A1400-8 this week but headed out for a much needed vacation. I'll be setting it up in the next week or so and have high hopes. Just unpacking it, the unit is unremarkable looking and smallish but heavy for it's size. The Manual is thin but hey its an amp so how much info is required.

A new review just appeared and the reviewer has the same Sunfire amp I have so although it was a little light on data, it was very interesting to me. Here is a link:
http://www.audio-ideas.com/canadian/...amplifier.html

I got a 404 on that link. Try this.
http://www.audio-ideas.com/canadian/axiom-a1400-8-multichannel-power-amplifier.html

 

[gene]

A new review just appeared and the reviewer has the same Sunfire amp I have so although it was a little light on data, it was very interesting to me. Here is a link:

I am VERY confident this amp will be a significant step UP from the Sunfire one.

 

[rmk]

I am VERY confident this amp will be a significant step UP from the Sunfire one.

Good, please drop everything else you are doing and write a Pro Review for this sucker . The two articles that exist at this point, I could have written

 

[rmk]

Not so good

I really regret having to make this post but as they say, it is what it is. I received my first A1400-8 just before leaving on vacation and did not get a chance to set it up until last weekend. After un-boxing it and doing all the connections it was DOA. No power no nothing. I called Axiom and at first I was going to return and get a refund but I thought it over and decided to give it a second try.

Axiom sent the second unit out 2 day air as we were both concerned that rough treatment by there shipper (Puralator) may have been the cause of the failure. Well I received the replacement amp today and it powered up fine so I unhooked my existing amp and was running through the setup (Audyssey EQ) when there was a loud pop and left main and surround channels of the amp blew. It was not a very happy moment but luckily, it didn’t take anything else with it when it blew.

Perhaps I was just really un-lucky but for me the experiment is over. I am going back to my tried and true Sunfire amp.

 

[yettitheman]

Pioneer looks sweet.

I'll take one... wait, I'm broke.

 

[ohio]

I really regret having to make this post but as they say, it is what it is.

Sorry to hear that... I guess that's always a danger with such a new product but I expected a bit better from Axiom.

That being said, I'm sure they'll have it dialed in eventually and am looking forward to some consumer reviews of functioning units.

 

[rmk]

Sorry to hear that... I guess that's always a danger with such a new product but I expected a bit better from Axiom.

That being said, I'm sure they'll have it dialed in eventually and am looking forward to some consumer reviews of functioning units.

When I discussed my amp problems with the designer Tom Cumberland, he mentioned the extensive burn-in testing given to each amp before shipping. I don't believe it is an inherent flaw as much as circuit boards and components that will not always stand up to the pounding that UPS and other carriers give them. It may be just a packaging issue. My amps had a long distance to travel and my guess is it was shipping related damage. I hope to hear from Axiom once they get the amps back and check them out.

 

[rmk]

Update

I don’t know if it was Gene’s prediction or just my fascination with the new “Audiophile” Class D amplifiers but I am going to be getting another A1400-8 for my system.
Actually, a big part of my reversal of direction on this was Axoim’s excellent customer service. I received emails and phone calls concerning the issues I had with the A1400-8. I have a comfortable feeling that Axiom will stick with me until I am happy or allow me to return the unit if it doesn’t work out. I can’t ask for more than that. I will post my impressions here once I have had some time with the amp.

 

[rmk]

A1400-8

The Axiom A1400-8 arrived yesterday. FedEx managed to not destroy this one and it took all of 20 minutes to set it up. Axiom feels that there may be an issue with the Audyssey processing so I level matched manually with my DCT 9.8’s test tones and an RS meter and left the Audyssey EQ for later. In my treated room, I’m not convinced there is a benefit with Audyssey anyway. I listened to some music, watched some DVD demo discs (very familiar material) and a movie I hadn’t seen (Into the Wild) last night. (BTW, Into the Wild is outstanding). Initial impression … I REALLY like what I’m hearing. This Axiom amp is more powerful than the Sunfire and in addition to the bigger and more enveloping sound; I am hearing more detail and clarity with the Axiom. I’m searching for analogies and the only one I can come up with is it is more “High Definition”. I can see that for 2 channel applications people might prefer the organic (read colored) sound of tube amps, but in the digital world in HT applications, these new high current power on demand amps will rule. If you are in the market for a 7 channel digital amp for HT this one (IMHO) is a no brainer. With Axioms 30 day return policy your maximum exposure is shipping one way. Pretty low risk and my guess is you will not be sending this power house amp back.

Gene has the A1400-8 in his review cue. I am anxious to see if the A1400-8’s objective data supports my subjective listening.

Here is pic of the amp in place. I love the fact that I can tuck this high powered cool running amp into such a small space. Large mono block amps would not work in my HT.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/rmk_01/Axiom/P1000412.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/rmk_01/Axiom/P1000414.jpg

 

[rmk]

A1400-8

Any progress on the review of this amp?

 

[rmk]

Any progress on the review of this amp?

Any day now?

 

[Highbar]

The Axiom A1400-8 arrived yesterday. FedEx managed to not destroy this one and it took all of 20 minutes to set it up. Axiom feels that there may be an issue with the Audyssey processing so I level matched manually with my DCT 9.8’s test tones and an RS meter and left the Audyssey EQ for later. In my treated room, I’m not convinced there is a benefit with Audyssey anyway. I listened to some music, watched some DVD demo discs (very familiar material) and a movie I hadn’t seen (Into the Wild) last night. (BTW, Into the Wild is outstanding). Initial impression … I REALLY like what I’m hearing. This Axiom amp is more powerful than the Sunfire and in addition to the bigger and more enveloping sound; I am hearing more detail and clarity with the Axiom. I’m searching for analogies and the only one I can come up with is it is more “High Definition”. I can see that for 2 channel applications people might prefer the organic (read colored) sound of tube amps, but in the digital world in HT applications, these new high current power on demand amps will rule. If you are in the market for a 7 channel digital amp for HT this one (IMHO) is a no brainer. With Axioms 30 day return policy your maximum exposure is shipping one way. Pretty low risk and my guess is you will not be sending this power house amp back.

Gene has the A1400-8 in his review cue. I am anxious to see if the A1400-8’s objective data supports my subjective listening.

Here is pic of the amp in place. I love the fact that I can tuck this high powered cool running amp into such a small space. Large mono block amps would not work in my HT.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/rmk_01/Axiom/P1000412.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n86/rmk_01/Axiom/P1000414.jpg

Wow those are some old pics of your room rmk. Forgot what it used to look like.