Axiom Audio A-1400-8 First Look

[admin]

Axiom Audio unveiled their new 8 channel A-1400-8 1400 watt power amplifier at the Audioholics State of the CE Union Event in Clearwater Beach Florida on October 6th, 2007. With the release of this new proprietary switching amplifier, they are attempting to reach out to a new segment of the consumer audio field. According to Axiom Audio, the A1400-8 digital amp assigns power when and where required, regardless of how many channels (up to eight) are connected to the system, making it an ideal amplifier for dynamic sources encoded in Dolby TrueHD and other high definition entertainment standards. We certainly heard no dynamic limitations caused by the amplifier in their demo room despite the enormous SPL levels that were being produced.


Discuss "Axiom Audio A-1400-8" here. Read the article.

 

[MapleSyrup]

Amp

Digital ams are getting better and better, aren't they? I remember not too long ago Harman Kardon tried the full digital amp receiver; but I don't think it sold too good (you think the high price had anything to do with it); and not to mention Samsung's "Vaporware". For H/K, it didn't seem like the right time to market a full-digital receiver. But perhaps that time is soon near.

 

[AdrianMills]

At first glance I thought they were going to be using the same B&O ICE based power plant as the new Pioneer Elite SC-09TX - a coincidence that the two decided on similarly speced amps at the same time. It looks like it's promising though - any idea if this is going to be available for 240v land and CE certified?

 

[Seth=L]

At first glance I thought they were going to be using the same B&O ICE based power plant as the new Pioneer Elite SC-09TX - a coincidence that the two decided on similarly speced amps at the same time. It looks like it's promising though - any idea if this is going to be available for 240v land and CE certified?

Pioneer looks sweet.

 

[AdrianMills]

Pioneer looks sweet.

Yes, it does. It's going to be a tempting time what with the new Denon's, Pio's and Yamaha's.

The only thing that concerns me with these high end function loaded receivers is that they are out of date almost as soon as they are on the market and the more they cost the more you lose if you want to keep up to date with all the latest and greatest bells and whistles. Maybe it's just me but the rate of change seems to have accelerated recently too.

 

[AdrianMills]

any idea if this is going to be available for 240v land and CE certified?

Never mind - I see that it is CE certified.

 

[mike c]

this thing looks very interesting especially its dynamic power to each channel but its kinda expensive.

i wish they'd make a 3 or 5 channel version but with the same amount of power on tap (which means higher dynamic power)

what inputs does it have? no RCA?

also, is that exact unit a cedia fake unit? I don't see a power cable slot.

 

[AdrianMills]

this thing looks very interesting especially its dynamic power to each channel but its kinda expensive.

i wish they'd make a 3 or 5 channel version but with the same amount of power on tap (which means higher dynamic power)

what inputs does it have? no RCA?

also, is that exact unit a cedia fake unit? I don't see a power cable slot.

Yes, it is expensive. More than I'd expect. To get it here it'll cost me 5,500 US$ and there are a lot of other things that 5.5k will buy you - for instance, an Emotiva MPS-1 is less than half the price.

The power cord plugs in underneath.

 

[mike c]

Yes, it is expensive. More than I'd expect. To get it here it'll cost me 5,500 US$ and there are a lot of other things that 5.5k will buy you - for instance, an Emotiva MPS-1 is less than half the price.

The power cord plugs in underneath.

where are you located?

 

[AdrianMills]

where are you located?

I'm in Norway. With 4.5% import duty and 23% taxes the price is 29,938NOK and the exchange rate is 5.42 (! damn but the $ has nose dived ! ) which means a 5,521 US$ price tag.

I hear that the new Pio receiver will be between 40 and 50k NOK. As it has a similar amp spec plus all those other receiver-type goodies I think the Axiom amp is going to find it difficult to compete with its current pricing.

 

[mattburk]

Yep, the price is too high. I understand the have to make a profit but there are alot of great amps out there for alot less.
I am sure there is a market for it, but people that can spend that much on an amp can spend a little more and get a plinius. Can it go toe to toe with that? We will see. Especially when they seem to be pushing "dynamics". Dynamics are great and all, but for that amount of money I want it to beat out a plinius or titan in not just dynamics, but in over all sound quality through out the entire range.

 

[mike c]

for 3850 ... I can get 3 channels of 500w class d amp (not mentioning brand) for the front three channels which is what's important and I can get around 4 channels of 100w class d as well. granted I won't get it in one small box, but I'm getting more RMS watts for the buck.

I think Axiom is not targeting the bang for the buck market. they're targeting niche markets like what they did on the Axiom EP400 and what they're doing again on this amp. they need to strike a balance between earning money and providing a good value for the market.

I realize they need to get back the R&D they did on the unit, but i think it's leaning a bit to one side too much.

 

[rmk]

Looks interesting. I (and I'm sure a lot of others) would like to see an in-depth AH review.

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom Amp

this thing looks very interesting especially its dynamic power to each channel but its kinda expensive.

i wish they'd make a 3 or 5 channel version but with the same amount of power on tap (which means higher dynamic power)

Mike,
Read the description of the amp. If you want it to be a 3 or 5 channel amp, you just hook up 3 or 5 of the channels and it distributes the power accordingly. In 3 channel mode, it effectively is a 500 Watt per channel, all channels driven class D amp. Also, unlike monoblocks, if 2 of the channels are using 200 Watts each, it can still deliver up to 1000 Watts to the remaining channel(s).

It is out of my price range, but I am interested to read the AH review.

 

[mike c]

Mike,
Read the description of the amp. If you want it to be a 3 or 5 channel amp, you just hook up 3 or 5 of the channels and it distributes the power accordingly. In 3 channel mode, it effectively is a 500 Watt per channel, all channels driven class D amp. Also, unlike monoblocks, if 2 of the channels are using 200 Watts each, it can still deliver up to 1000 Watts to the remaining channel(s).

It is out of my price range, but I am interested to read the AH review.

i actually wanted a 3 or 5 channel version that was cheaper ... two or four less modules should make it more affordable. (but everything else should be the same, hence more dynamic power)

 

[mattburk]

any one here this one yet?

 

[Audioholics]

They've definitely priced themselves smack dab into a lot of competition. We'll be reviewing it to see if and how it stands out. I also asked Ian when he's going to release a pair of speakers that cost more than his new amp... lol.

 

[mike c]

I also asked Ian when he's going to release a pair of speakers that cost more than his new amp... lol.

good one!

if we were to follow the 70% speaker to 30% electronics rule ...

we'd have tens of thousands worth of Axiom speaker!

 

[Davemcc]

any one here this one yet?

I heard it at the Axiom demo. It was a pretty loud, powerful demo and I didn't hear any clipping or signs of the amp struggling to drive seven speakers. What can I say. It's an amp. It did it's job. I have to admit, I was surprised to see that this one small discreet box was powering the whole demo. Compared to other amps of similar power and capability, this one is very small.

 

[Haoleb]

They've definitely priced themselves smack dab into a lot of competition. We'll be reviewing it to see if and how it stands out. I also asked Ian when he's going to release a pair of speakers that cost more than his new amp... lol.

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