Selecting a 5.1 receiver for LSi speakers

walfredo

Hi All,

I currently have a 2.1 system that I love. It uses an Outlaw RR2150 receiver, 2 LSi 9 speakers, and 1 DSW 2000 sub.

I just got a central LSi and 2 LSi FX surrounds and thus I'm going to 5.1.

The question is: Which receiver should I get?

Alas, Outlaw does not make 5.1 receivers. But I do like its compromise between definition and warmth.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Walfredo

[Deleted User]

For what its worth, I went with a Marantz AVR from accessories4less.com that had pre-amp outputs. Beyond that I am using all external amplification. I am very pleased with this set-up. If you read the various threads you'll find similar votes for HK, Pioneer, Onkyo and Denon. It all boils down to features, recommendations and price. But the pre-amp outs were the key, you really need to have the ability to add the external amplication. Hope this helps. :cool:

tonyb

The receivers that can drive 4 ohm lsi's are pricey. What you really need is an amp to power them, with a receiver that has preouts to hook it up.

EndersShadow

^ What he said

nguyendot

Someone copypasta my post on this....:)

wait, got it

OP, read this:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111022

blueboxer

I have heard that people have had success running the LSi speakers with the Pioneer Elite SC series and the NAD receivers. However, running 7.1 would probably be too much of a load if you are considering that down the road. The NAD will sound warmer than the Pioneer, but I enjoyed the Pioneer a lot during movies.

nooshinjohn

The only one I know of that is up to the task are the Sunfire TGR's... The current TGR-401 and the previous TGR-III are nice receivers, but do not support HDMI audio. I should also add that Sunfire announced that they are getting of the amplifier/receiver business a few weeks ago.

acmf74

I run a Adcom GFR-700 with a full LSi set-up. It runs them with ease and sounds great too. They can be found around a grand. There are a few on eBay right now.

hth

nguyendot

It's so much cheaper to just run external amps! And gives you more flexibility later on too...

walfredo

Thanks for the help, everybody.

I'll make sure the receiver has pre outs for a future amplifier. I may consider getting one, but the total budget is around 1K. For space reasons, however, I'd prefer an integrated/receiver. I also need HDMI.

I take that I should look for one that was designed for 4 omhs speakers. Would the receiver listing 4 ohms in the spec be a good indication of this?

Thanks again,
Walfredo

tonyb

Even those that are listed as 4 ohm capable will still be taxed running 5 lsi's. I would suggest if your going to only want to use a receiver, might be best to stay in the rtia line from the 7's on down. You risk doing damage to the speakers or receiver by stressing it too much trying to run speakers that require more power than your avr can dish out.

Your 2 channel Outlaw seems to be beefy enough for 2 channel and 4 0hm speaks,which is why it seems ok now. That kind of power in a 5 channel avr might be over your budget.

walfredo

Thanks, tonyb.

But I'm a bit surprised by the need to run dedicated amps. My current outlaw RR2150 is rated at 160W @ 4 omhs and drives my LSi *easily*. 50% of the volume is *very* load. I typically listen at 25-30%. (My room is somewhat small, though).

Why would it be different for a 5.1 set-up?

Thanks all!!

[]s
Walfredo

walfredo

Thanks, crowd!!!

I went with the collective wisdom and got an Outlaw 7125 dedicated amp.

Much appreciated insight!

[]s
Walfredo