Zkidd

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $167.00 from Luminous Audio

Summary:
I recently purchased a Luminous Audio Axiom to install between my CDP and integrated amp. My integrated amp has a stepped attenuator, and hence, I often "miss" the correct position for the volume for a particular piece of music. For those of you experienced with stepped attenuators / volume controls, you know what I mean.

The Axiom solved all that, and very well I might add. This little passive preamp is a bargain, even if it cost 3X as much. I had mine built with the Caddock resistor,a $25 upgrade and though I have not heard the Axiom with the basic Holco, the $25 is really nothing to pay.Since I have used the Axiom, I have noticed absolutley no loss of dynamics, nor loss of bass, or a shrinking of the sound, nothing like that at all! I have used other passives in the past, and none have been anywhere as good as the Axiom, unless I was willing to wade into the $3K -$4K pond to get one.

I will not reiterate what others have already stated. Just take it that the Axiom is a fine piece, a true treasure at the asking price, and one of the best values one will ever find in the hign end.

Strengths:
No loss of detail, custom built to one's "specs", no loss of transparency or dynamics
Good parts

Weaknesses:
I guess the one input could be considered a weakness, but they are built that way
so that should not be a surprise

Similar Products Used:
Mod Squad Deluxe
First Sound

nurxhunter

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $105.00 from Agon

Summary:
Haveto agree with other reviewers here. Clean, transparent. Alloes what's downstream to come through. Luminous is a great site to deal with. For the price new, you cannot go wrong with this. I have the upgraded unit.

Strengths:
Value. Transparent sound.

Weaknesses:
one input, but so designed--and for affordability.

Similar Products Used:
Angstrom 2000, Monarchy 18b

Price Paid:  $85.00 from web (ebay)

Summary:
Fitted it into a cd player only system (ah tjoeb) then feeding a single monarchy audio power amp and triangle speakers and the total sound is absolutely fantastic. It allows the other components to do what they do and takes nothing away from any of them. Comes highly recommended as does the service from luminous audio.

Strengths:
does not add or seem to take anything away.

Weaknesses:
cant think of any.

Similar Products Used:
expensive active preamps

Price Paid:  $85.00 from online - used

Summary:
excellent little preamp - no power, just input output and a pot. the luminous audio axiom may be the best bargain in the audiophile world. i found it to have none of the drawbacks i've experienced w/ other passives (weak bass, dull dynamics). a great product.

Strengths:
transparent, neutral, good soundstage.

Weaknesses:
only one input (not really a "weakness" as it is designed to be minimal and tiny ...)

Similar Products Used:
i've had many preamps - audible illusions mod 3, muse model one, also have an accuphase c-200.

Price Paid:  $110.00 from Luminous audio

Summary:
I agree with the comments by Joe. In terms of sound quality this compares quite well with my Reference Line passive preamp that originally listed at $2,000.

When I have compared the two I really can't tell much of a difference. Sound quality and soundstage are excellent.

These are currently available from the manufacturer on ebay for about $105 - $110. If you can live with single source and no remote this is probably the best bargain of all time in an excellent sounding component. Also, nothing to break.

I would give this ten stars for value.

Strengths:
Quality of sound

Weaknesses:
Single source only

Similar Products Used:
Reference Line Preeminence Two passive preamp