Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Luminous Audio Technology Axiom Preamplifier (SS) by driver

Model:	Axiom
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$125
Description:	Passive Preamp
Manufacturer URL:	Luminous Audio Technology
Model Picture:	View

Review by driver ( A ) on March 13, 2004 at 11:47:47
IP Address: 141.152.24.26

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for the Axiom

I recently sold my pre & while I was gathering funds for the new one, decided to get the little Axiom to use in the interim, based mostly on the excellent cables I'd been using for several years from Luminous Audio. I talked with Tim about the specs of my CDP & amp, which he uses to provide the settings for the Axiom, which translates into a smooth volume/level adjustment . I also opted for the cadddock resistors over the holco for the additional $25.00, which brought the price up to $150.00.
I really like the smooth pot, which not only has a nice feel to it but also allows for very small volume adjustments. Hook-up is very simple, with a narrow red band around one of the input/output jacks and there is also a small sticker underneath to indicate which sets of jacks is which.
To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting much, as this thing was only $150.00 & is so small! I don't have much of a selection of RCA's, as I'd been using XLR's, so used a Luminous Audio Lynx cable that Iâ€™d been using on a tuner and a Magwire original, which I'd never used before but wanted to try out. So I have the Axiom & two sets of cables that cost less than the PC I use on the amp. Like I mentioned, I wasn't expecting much but wanted to be able to play the stereo. I sure was in for a surprise & a treat.
I'm not saying everybody should sell their expensive pre & get one of these but if you did you could pocket that extra 3k & not lose any sleep over it. It does a very good job & in fact I've decided to keep it in my system for the time being. I have to rethink spending $3k ($3200.00 in black) for the pre I had set my sights on.
Comparatively, the Axiom has better micro-detail than the Aleph P I had for 3 1/2 years and although audio memory is supposed to be short lived, it would be very difficult to tell these two apart and I suspect it would better many lesser preâ€™s. The Aleph P was the best pre (Cary was a distant 2nd) Iâ€™ve had in my system up to this point, so making comments/comparisons about other pieces Iâ€™ve heard in other systems would only be a waste of time.
The Axiom is an honest piece-meaning it will give you what you feed it. In addition to all the store bought CDâ€™s I played, including MFSL, DCC & other assorted audiophile type recordings, I also played some recordings I made during some practice sessions with a band I run sound for. I record these directly off a Crest board & although I use some digital gadgetry, itâ€™s a direct take with no remixing or other additives. It sounded like I was standing back at the board, albeit in a smaller room.
The Axiom gives you all the qualities you would expect from a higher priced unit & although there are trade-offs, namely only one set of inputs, I can live with that. The last time I changed any of my gear (amp, spkrs, CDP) was Nov. 2002, so Iâ€™m used to the type of sound, quality, soundstage, etc. my system provides. In fact at that time, I upgraded from one Ayre amp to another and it remains as musical as ever & although I donâ€™t play as loud as OFTEN as I used to, itâ€™s still capable of 110+ SPLâ€™s. Yes, Iâ€™ve measured it & donâ€™t wish to go higher. I can also play late at night w/o waking anybody up at very low settings & although I donâ€™t get the prodigious bass (at the low settings) that the spkrs. are capable of, I still get a musical presentation. Putting together a system has been all about keeping it musical. Iâ€™ve had analytical, dry, warm & lush and what I have now is the best so far.
If & when I get another pre, it'll have to do something very, very special for me to spend more than $150.00.

Product Weakness: Only one set of inputs
Product Strengths: Price, easy to place (small), no AC necessary

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Ayre V-5x
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Luminous Audio Axiom
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Meridian 508.20
Speakers:	VR4 GenIII
Cables/Interconnects:	Luminous Audio true bi-wire Renaissance spkr. cables; IC's: Magwire Original, Variation #1, Luminous Lynx, AQ Ruby; PC's: Chris V Flavor 4 to amp & TG Audio 688 to CDP
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Steely Dan, Sarah Jahn, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Norah Jones, Elton John, Billy Joel, Miles Davis, PJ Harvey, Blue Mitchell, Tommy Bolin, Jennifer Knapp, Joe Walsh, Savoy Brown, Santana & a bunch more.
Room Size (LxWxH):	21 x 11.5 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	One overstuffed sofa, recliner (listening chair), picture window size curtains (10' x 7'), window curtains on back wall, W2W carpeting, plants & animals.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 weeks
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Only one set of inputs
Product Strengths:	Price, easy to place (small), no AC necessary