RT15i

Pycroft

Hi all...

I was hoping to put together a small, cheap system to use at work for those down times. Luckily, as that happens, I agreed to buy a pair of RT15i's for 25 bucks. I can't find much on the web about it. Even the polk website's page under 'Products' doesn't have information about them (It says page not found or something like that). I'm wondering opinions on these small speakers. I have a pre that I can use, but no amp. They are rated 100 wpc, 89 db. Wondering what a cheap possibility may be to make them perform well. Again, cheap and decent is key because I have my home 2 channel system which has already cost me 3,000 dollars. I'm hoping to do an amp for less than 100 clams

Thanks,

James

VR3

They are ok -

They were part of the RT25i, 35i line - they used a Silk dome tweeter 3/4" and a 5.25" midbass and were like an inch or so shallower in depth than the 25i.

All in all they were ok - I think their bass response was like 60hz or so

Pycroft

How good is 'okay'? Am I overpaying at 25 bucks? Thanks.

James

thesurfer

Pycroft wrote: »

How good is 'okay'? Am I overpaying at 25 bucks? Thanks.

James

Ive seen them sell on Ebay, for $50-$80, a pair, Basically a hyped up r15, with arc port, power port, raised bezel, In no way as good as the RT25i, which is slightly bigger, has better tweeter, and cross over, but a very good deal for $25, Ive used a pair in a small den, and they were very nice in that application, good imageing, decent soundstage, play pretty loud, with no distortion, not alot of bass, but pretty good, considering there small size.

VR3

I would say for 25 you are doing ok.

I think ten years ago they sold new for like 150 a pair...

shack

I still own a pair of RT15is The first time I hooked them up to a Denon stereo receiver I was impressed at how good they sounded. They are not that far removed from the RT25is (which I also own). The bass is decent for a speaker this size and depending on the size of the room and music preference can be used by themselves. I ran them with a small, sealed 10" sub and they sounded very nice. If they are in good shape, $25 is a deal. Set them up with any kind "good" amplification and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

ifoundtime

I've heard those are pretty good, but like they say, limited bass potential.

In terms of an inexpensive yet quality amp, if you target Yamaha receivers from the early 90's,
they are still LOW distortion (THD), especially by today's standards, and still appoaching 100 watts per channel --
plenty enough to push small speaks. I became obsessed once I got one. Now I have 3 (Goodwill & 2 grom Craigslist)!

If you want more detailed guidance like examples, you can email me at ifoundtime@yahoo.com, for I am a newbie
to this forum and have yet to earn the privelege to answer PM's. You can PM me, but please give your email address
or else I can't respond.

cnh

Amp for under 100? Hmmmmm....how about a Hafler DH-200 (100 watts x 2)! Might be able to get one of those in the 100-140 range.

Here's one on Audiogon:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1322198081&/Hafler-DH-200-Amplifier


cnh

shack

For a little over $100...this would be a nice match...

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1322941714&/NAD-7240PE-Receiver

Pycroft

So, I picked up the RT15i's for 25 bucks tonight, and scored 40 vinyl albums for 11 dollars more SWEET deal! Good stuff too. I'll post them all when I'm not falling asleep while typing - maybe some gems, and if not, still music I like to listen to anyway. Thanks all for the tips on the amp. I have no clues. I'm hoping someone local will be selling somethign for like 50 bucks Those are both options though!

James

Pycroft

FYI,

Two local units looked possibly promising. One was a NAD 3150 integrated. The other an Onkyo A-sv620. Not sure if they are decent, but hoping to land something dirt cheap.

James

Pycroft

Vector Research VR2300? Never heard of it. What's its reputation? What is a fair offer for one? The guy said he wants 90 bucks, which looks like way too much. Not sure if this would work in my situation.

James

cnh

Vector Research was a brand somewhat like NAD that made these units in the '80s. They were similar in price to NADs and fairly well made. I own the higher VR 5000 which is 44 watts x 2 weighs 25 or more lbs., draws almost 300 watts from the wall and sounds pretty good on a set of old Scott S-11s I picked up in your area (along with the VResearch amp).

There is a guy in Philipsburg, N.J. who sells used receivers on ebay. I got mine from him while I was down there for chump change (25 dollars--actually he threw the VR in for 'free' because I bought two other items from him) because this guy didn't know what he had and was concentrating on selling the larger 'monster' Vintage receivers but was letting the 50 watt and under go for reasonable prices!

If the Vector Research is in good shape, I think you'd like it. They're very clean and powerful receivers (pretty sure they are a high current design with 4 ohm capability).

Don't pay more than $50. Not worth the asking price for that unit. The 5000 I have could bring close to $80-90 or more.

Here is an ebay sale on that item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Vector-Research-VR-2300-FM-AM-Stereo-Receiver-/360397452852?_trksid=m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D51%26pmod%3D110724431952%26ps%3D50#ht_1700wt_1037

If I were you, I'd go with the VR 2500 because the 2300 is entry level. Check this one out on ebay. You could drive to Jersey and pick up!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VECTOR-RESEARCH-VR-2500-STEREO-RECEIVER-CLEAN-CLASSIC-NICE-L-K-/350496327878?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item519b3588c6#ht_3940wt_1270


cnh

cnh

On second thought, it's possible that the 2300 might just be a newer version of the 2500? Don't know much about their model history. The 2500 draws 150 watts from the wall socket. The 2300 seems to be 1.2 amps. Of course you never know what that translates to in terms of real power because some manufacturers include switched outlet power in that figure!

In any case the 2500 is 22 watts x 2 (RMS). I suspect the 2300 is about the same. Sufficient power for a set of Rt15i in an office.

cnh