Will my Pioneer elite vsx-23thx work? Help

angelsfann02

Hi. Newbie here. I am wanting to change out my system. Will be buying lsi9 for fronts, lsic, lsifx for rears, and Dsw sub. Will my pioneer 23 handle this or should i keep it and add an amp? If so what kind? Better yet should I sell the receiver and go another route. Thanks in advance. Also looking for these speakers if anyone selling. I'm in Southern California.

messiah

You'll want an amp. That receiver isn't meant to handle a 4 ohm load. It will make a decent pre-amp though.

EndersShadow

messiah wrote: »

you'll want an amp. That receiver isn't meant to handle a 4 ohm load. It will make a decent pre-amp though.

^^ +1

nguyendot

It will not work alone. You will under drive your speakers and possibly damage them, or the receiver. I recommend a power amplifier of 200w/channel or more to get the most out of that setup.

mole'

for your rears

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108130

angelsfann02

Thanks so far guys. I really want one amp maybe to power everything if possible, fronts, center, rears, sub, if this is possible. I guess my receiver would work as an ok pre-amp. I've been looking on eBay & CList but there's so many brands. Do I need an amp with my outputs? F.Y.I My listening routine= 75% Movies 15% Music 10% Sports..

PrazVT

That is a good idea angelsfann02 and your Pio should do fine as a pre-amp. Plus you can spend a little more on a good high current 5 or 7 channel amp. You should take a look on Audiogon for amps - I'll leave the specific recommendations to the senior guys here..but brand-wise there is...

Parasound, Adcom, Sunfire, Rotel, Nad, Outlaw, Emotiva to name a few ...

EndersShadow

angelsfann02 wrote: »

Thanks so far guys. I really want one amp maybe to power everything if possible, fronts, center, rears, sub, if this is possible. I guess my receiver would work as an ok pre-amp. I've been looking on eBay & CList but there's so many brands. Do I need an amp with my outputs? F.Y.I My listening routine= 75% Movies 15% Music 10% Sports..

It might be cheaper to buy a couple amps to power everything simply due to the cost of one massive amp over multiple smaller amps. Breaking it up also would allow you to provide more power to your front three which you will need since most of the sound comes from those speakers and since your surrounds really dont need as much wattage, save some cash with a lower rms amp for them.

Just my two cents.

Also, think seriously about used. Most amps dont have that many parts that can go bad and older ones have obviously been devalued more than new, so you can sometimes score some massive deals.

Folks around here like NAD, Adacom, Parasound, Macintosh just to name a few...

angelsfann02

Looking at some other forums, the Emotiva XPA Line has caught my attention. The XPA-3 or XPA-5 looks interesting. Any experience with these guys? I figure the XPA-3 for R/L Fronts & Center. Maybe letting the VSX-23thx handle the surrounds????

mole'

angelsfann02 wrote: »

Looking at some other forums, the Emotiva XPA Line has caught my attention. The XPA-3 or XPA-5 looks interesting. Any experience with these guys? I figure the XPA-3 for R/L Fronts & Center. Maybe letting the VSX-23thx handle the surrounds????

i have a XPA-3 running my CSia6 and FXi3s with my Adcon powering my SDAs. it does a great job. also had it hooked up in my bedroom powering my RTi10s and CSi5.

the speakers come ALIVE with an external AMP.

i have a Pioneer Elite in both rooms as my Pre/Pro


BTW most guys on here dont like EMO stuff

EndersShadow

mole' wrote: »

BTW most guys on here dont like EMO stuff

Yeah it seems to be true. I havent heard an Emo so I wont bash them. Seems to be a great price/performance spec's wise, but your ears are all that matters.

Wont bash it till I heard it. Just know Emo's used dont have the markdown some other older amps do since they are recently new to market.

mole'

EMO are on sale right now too


someone has a nice UPA-5 in the FM too. great price on it

angelsfann02

Why don't guys here like Emotiva's? I guess some people are afraid of new products, but then again some brands have been around a long time for a reason. (Pick you poison) If I could an XPA-2 for the fronts & a XAP-3 for center and rears would be good too....

messiah

Most people here don't like Emo because it is entry level gear. Most people around here want to do better than entry level when it comes to running external amplification. That doesn't hold true for everyone, just most people. Emo is affordable, and will work for those speakers, they just won't sound their best. It all depends on what your needs and budget are ATM.

angelsfann02

Thats just it. I do want them to shine! If I can spend the money well in the first place that would be great! What would you recommend?

messiah

It really depends on your budget. The obvious answer is to buy used gear. Most of the really well made stuff lasts a long time. Post up a budget, and I'm sure you will have many good recommendations.

jimmydep

At 75% HT, I think get the Emo XPA-5 or the XPA-3 and call it a day.....the Emo is very good for HT use and I think it mates well with the laid back nature of the LSI speakers.

Other options include Sunfire (which has a warm sound...very nice for music), Adcom - Parasound (which many here believe is an excellent match with the LSI).
Anthem
Rotel..........

angelsfann02

Ok. So my budget is $1000. Any recommendations?

dcmartinpc

I can tell you from experience that the Parasound HCA-2205a (220 x 5 - 8 ohms, 300 x 5 - 4 ohms, all channels driven) is an EXCELLENT match for that exact setup amp wise, because I ran it! And still do run it, but I have a modified Parasound HCA-3500 coming in a couple weeks that will replace the 2205a on the front 2 channels because I am upgrading to 7.1 in my home theater. The 2205a is NO slouch for 2 channel, don't get me wrong, and is great for home theater, but I needed 7 channels, and came across a great deal on a 3500.

The 2205a has high current (60 amperes peak), and will drive a full compliment of LSi's very well. In fact, there is one that just popped up on eBay (not affiliated) that my guess would go for less than $1000. $1000 shipped is about what these amps have been going for, sometimes a little less. Just search for Parasound and sort by newly listed, it is close to the top. Here is a link to the specs:

http://www.parasound.com/vintage/hca2205a.php

The amp weighs in at about 85 pounds, so make sure you have a sturdy place to put it, but I think it is the perfect match for what you are trying to do.

Parasound and LSi's are a match made in heaven IMHO....

Don

angelsfann02

Parasound & Lsi's being a match made in heaven, seems to be the recurring theme in many forums. Probably not by mistake either.

dcmartinpc

No sir, not a coincidence. They just perform amazingly together. The 2205a is a solid performer, and I think a perfect match to your system. And if you ever want to upgrade to 7 channel, all you have to do is add a 2 channel amp. The HCA-2200II or an HCA-3500 are a perfect match, and can be had for decent prices on Audiogon and eBay from time to time. They hold their value VERY well and if you ever decide to upgrade, there will be value left in them.

I would watch that 2205a on eBay closely, I think you would love it.

Don

angelsfann02

Whatcha guys think about selling the Pioneer Elite 23THX and buying the Emotiva UMC-1 for the Processor? Leaning towards Emotiva XPA-5 for amplification.

mole'

http://cgi.ebay.com/Parasound-hca-2205a-amplifier-/130450974454?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5f7be6f6#ht_1166wt_1139

angelsfann02

I'm loving that Parasound. Wish they were closer and I could hear it in action with some LSI9's! That price is good too.

messiah

angelsfann02 wrote: »

Whatcha guys think about selling the Pioneer Elite 23THX and buying the Emotiva UMC-1 for the Processor? Leaning towards Emotiva XPA-5 for amplification.

I wouldn't, but it's your money. Emotiva's SNR (signal to noise ratio) and THD (total harmonic distortion) totally suck compared to Parasound. Just look at the specs between the two on their websites.

Also, Parasound is in California. It doesn't get any closer. Go to their site, and click on where to buy.

angelsfann02

Thanks for your advice. Being a "newbie" to the world of separate amps, SNR & THD, are things I really need to learn about!

messiah

In our for sale forum there is an Anthem MCA 50 for sale which would be bad **** if you're looking for a 5 channel amp. If you just want a 2 channel the MCA 20 also for sale there is also pretty damn bad ****.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108772

Thanks for your advice. Being a "newbie" to the world of separate amps, SNR & THD, are things I really need to learn about!

With SNR the higher the number the better, with THD the lower the number the better. Look at the specs on the Anthem amps I mentioned above and compare them to the Emo amps you were considering and you will realize why Emo is so priced so low.