Powering LSi 7/9/15/25 - you better have preouts baby!

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Comments

  • frdranger
    frdranger Posts: 110
    edited November 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    You'll be fine since your sub is taking most the heavy lifting off your fronts. If I were you, I'd look into upgrading that center channel, thats your weak link at the moment.

    Yea, I hear ya. I'm contemplating into the Paradigm CC-190. I will then begin searching for a replacement receiver; although I may need to get wife approval on that one ;).
    My Living Room 3.1 config:
    Toshiba 40RV525U
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR609
    Center channel: Polk CS1
    Front L/R: Paradigm Reference Studio 20
    Subwoofer: Velodyne DPS-10
    Rears: None

    My Computer setup
    Klipsch Pro Media 2.1 THX
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2011
    I had the CC-300 and it was a beast...awesome center.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2011
    frdranger wrote: »
    Well whatever you do, do NOT get the Onkyo TX-NR609 like I did; did research on it but the one little tidbit I never saw was that there was NO output for a preamp. Kinda stinks because now I'm limited to what I can get for speakers. Buyer beware!

    This is the problem with buying what is the cheapest or what's on sale. Preamp outputs cost money and unless you buy used, you are not going to get a reciever that has them for a couple hundred bucks.

    If you are going to spend big change on speakers like the LSI's, you have to be willing to also spend even more money to get what they need to operate to their full potential.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2013
    BUmp... for more noobs asking about LSi etc.

    Also just read through the whole thread again.... interesting for sure. It's amazing how much of my setup has changed since then.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited August 2013
    Back from the dead, i like it. Man my setup has come so far since then :redface:
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  • plainoledave
    plainoledave Posts: 408
    edited August 2013
    I'm not having any problems driving my 15's with my RECEIVER. :mrgreen:
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2013
    Pretty sure that was the exception I made lol.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • plainoledave
    plainoledave Posts: 408
    edited August 2013
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Pretty sure that was the exception I made lol.

    I was providing evidence that you were correct. :mrgreen:
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2013
    nguyendot wrote: »
    It's amazing how much of my setup has changed since then.

    That's the truth. I'm down to 2 LSi15s in the rear, and a LSiW sub. If I upgrade my two channel speakers again then I won't be using the LSi15s. I need to get a bigger house so I can build more stereos with the unused gear.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2013
    BlueFox wrote: »
    That's the truth. I'm down to 2 LSi15s in the rear, and a LSiW sub. If I upgrade my two channel speakers again then I won't be using the LSi15s. I need to get a bigger house so I can build more stereos with the unused gear.
    That's pretty much what I did. Moved to a 1600 sq ft house at first so I sold almost all my gear. 18 months later we tripled in size so I can start buying and building again!
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • attym
    attym Posts: 33
    edited November 2013
    I wonder how this line would sound with my mc2105.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2013
    attym wrote: »
    I wonder how this line would sound with my mc2105.

    They're cheap now, buy them and find out!
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    Proved this to myself recently by hooking up a SC1222k to my LSI25s. It's rated to 120watts per channel, 160 @ 6 ohms but NOT all channels driven. I only use two channels in my setup. I didn't have high hopes, just wanted to see what it would do. I was not pleasantly surprised and knew what was coming. The Pioneer SC-1222k is basically an Elite, but not.... It has the digital D3 amps (similar to the ICE amps of the SC25 era) which are no slouch. It is 4 ohm certified as well, but honestly I consider it "tolerant" not "capable".

    Sound from -99 to -20db on the volume was unbearable. Flat, no headroom, no dialog. From -20 to -10 it livened up 1000%, but it was still pretty shrill and lacking midbass. The receiver has preouts (odd for a non-Elite), but I have no room in the TV stand for an amp and honestly don't want the added complexity where we sleep. So, once again folks - to get the best out of your LSi speakers make sure you're using dedicated amps. If you want to use your receiver, make sure it has pre-outs so you can add an amp and make these puppies sing! I swapped in some Focal 726s towers and it was a huge improvement with receiver power alone. The LSi's will go into the theater where there's no lacking of amplifier power!

    thanks!
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • jimithng23
    jimithng23 Posts: 48
    I ran a full LSi setup (LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX) with a Yamaha RX-V3800 for years and never had an issue, so I thought.

    Recently pulled the Yammy in favor for a Parasound P5 and an Adcom 555 II...whoa, it's like I've never listened to these LSi15's before!

    I guess I wouldn't say the Yammy was bad, its purpose was served well for the years I used it.

    Seems as though the moral of the story is, yes to take advantage of LSi's...get a power amp!
    Jeff Rowland CAPRI | Yamaha RX-V3800 | Jeff Rowland Model 6 Mono Blocs | Technics SL1200 MKII | Shure V15VxMR w/ JICO Stylus | Sony SCD-XA5400ES | Monster HTS 2600 | Polk Audio LSi 15 w/VR3 Fortress Mod | REL T/9 x2
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  • jimithng23
    jimithng23 Posts: 48
    I ran a full LSi setup (LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX) with a Yamaha RX-V3800 for years and never had an issue, so I thought.

    Recently pulled the Yammy in favor for a Parasound P5 and an Adcom 555 II...whoa, it's like I've never listened to these LSi15's before!

    I guess I wouldn't say the Yammy was bad, its purpose was served well for the years I used it.

    Seems as though the moral of the story is, yes to take advantage of LSi's...get a power amp!
    Jeff Rowland CAPRI | Yamaha RX-V3800 | Jeff Rowland Model 6 Mono Blocs | Technics SL1200 MKII | Shure V15VxMR w/ JICO Stylus | Sony SCD-XA5400ES | Monster HTS 2600 | Polk Audio LSi 15 w/VR3 Fortress Mod | REL T/9 x2
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  • jimithng23
    jimithng23 Posts: 48
    I ran a full LSi setup (LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX) with a Yamaha RX-V3800 for years and never had an issue, so I thought.

    Recently pulled the Yammy in favor for a Parasound P5 and an Adcom 555 II...whoa, it's like I've never listened to these LSi15's before!

    I guess I wouldn't say the Yammy was bad, its purpose was served well for the years I used it.

    Seems as though the moral of the story is, yes to take advantage of LSi's...get a power amp!
    Jeff Rowland CAPRI | Yamaha RX-V3800 | Jeff Rowland Model 6 Mono Blocs | Technics SL1200 MKII | Shure V15VxMR w/ JICO Stylus | Sony SCD-XA5400ES | Monster HTS 2600 | Polk Audio LSi 15 w/VR3 Fortress Mod | REL T/9 x2
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,220
    jimithng23 wrote: »
    I ran a full LSi setup (LSi15, LSiC, LSiFX) with a Yamaha RX-V3800 for years and never had an issue, so I thought.

    Recently pulled the Yammy in favor for a Parasound P5 and an Adcom 555 II...whoa, it's like I've never listened to these LSi15's before!

    I guess I wouldn't say the Yammy was bad, its purpose was served well for the years I used it.

    Seems as though the moral of the story is, yes to take advantage of LSi's...get a power amp!

    Tell me again, you had a Yammy and replaced it with what? :p:D

    I had a similar experience with the LSi15 and you are spot on.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
    I ran a full lsi theater off a Harman Kardon 7550 HD, beast of a receiver. And worked out just fine with the lsi system. Added a sunfire 7 channel amp and holy sh!te.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    mikeyb128 wrote: »
    I ran a full lsi theater off a Harman Kardon 7550 HD, beast of a receiver. And worked out just fine with the lsi system. Added a sunfire 7 channel amp and holy sh!te.

    Precisely, this is the benefit of external amplification. Will a receiver run the LSI's of course. Will the LSI's operate to their full potential, not even close!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • jimithng23
    jimithng23 Posts: 48
    PSOVLSK wrote: »
    Tell me again, you had a Yammy and replaced it with what? :p:D

    I had a similar experience with the LSi15 and you are spot on.

    I'm running another Yammy in the bedroom right now as the main system is torn down for the basement remodel. Just some basic Monitor 40 II's.

    But.

    This isn't your uncle's Yammy.

    I scored a recapped and restored CA-1010 Integrated in immaculate condition and it is simply a stunner.

    I'm contemplating lugging the LSi15s up to the bedroom just to see what the 1010 could do with 'em!
    Jeff Rowland CAPRI | Yamaha RX-V3800 | Jeff Rowland Model 6 Mono Blocs | Technics SL1200 MKII | Shure V15VxMR w/ JICO Stylus | Sony SCD-XA5400ES | Monster HTS 2600 | Polk Audio LSi 15 w/VR3 Fortress Mod | REL T/9 x2
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