Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Needed an attenuator to bring down the line level signal before passing it to a Velodyne sub and back to a NAD power amp, the separate level controls and particularly the stepped digital one on the sub had been driving me crazy. Almost nobody buying mass market stuff does this but this sub has a good high pass feature where its Class D amp handles the bass and it passes above 80 Hz out lightening the load on my amp, good because I have 4 ohm speakers. Something interesting in the power amp manual I have, it says not to put the gain controls below the 10 o clock position if at all possible and particularly avoid below 9 o clock because the tracking between channels is poor there. You can't go wrong with this product for the $150 I paid.. I often wonder why so many glowing reviews of the $1000 + preamps I see on here. To somebody who has a power amplifier and isn't so much into the multichannel receivers which all the rage, don't want a digital processor, and is aware that some of the cheaper receivers may very well skimp on two channel only quality in the process, one doesn't need anything more than this product. A preamp can only colour the sound if someone has a power amp only and doesn't have any use for tone controls or balance controls, it's just a few more resistors or caps the signal has to pass through. I doubt the volume control circuit in most preamps is better than the Luminous Axiom even the ones that are over $1000, and the attentuation is probably done better in the Axiom than in the dual gain controls in my NAD 2600 which I may now change out as well. The Axiom uses a Noble pot which is used in shunt, ie. the signal doesn't pass directly through that pot. It's possible that the Alps Blue Velvet or DACT stepped attenuator are still better but I couldn't be bothered to do all the construction of the necessary box. I got the Holco resistor model, the Caddock vs. Holco resistors choice is a toss up to me, can't really be sure if the Caddocks are worth the extra $25 unless a double blind listening test is done which isn't possible, but still, a good deal. Before shipping Luminous will adjust the circuitry to do proper input impedance or output level matching with your other gear which is a very often neglected part of high end audio. There is no doubt in my mind that my rig sounds better than my dad's $1200 Denon receiver where my amp is at least 15 years old, but it could be his Energy speakers.

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

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.