Got the new speakers, Now I have a headache trying to make best power purchases

FDZombiedawg

Hello Everyone,

I want to appologize in advance for asking the same old question, in an albeit slightly different aspect. I am currently deployed to Afghan, and I have a new set of LSi Speakers waiting on me when I get back. 2 LSi15's, 4 LSiFX's, and the LSiC. I have a Sony STR-DA3200ES digital amplified 7.1 reciever with pre-outs, with a "claimed" 130rms per channel at 4 ohms.

This is where I could use some help. My plan was to wait for the new 300RMSx7 @4ohm Emotiva XPA-7 to get a brighter sound (albiet I haven't heard them yet) and possibly take care of the new for more power.

My listening habits when my HT consisted of 2 polk CSi's don't remember which model, and Mirage FRX's reflected using the multi stereo function to fill the house up with great sounding music all of the time when I listened to music.

I am open to all options with around a $1 to roughly $1200 or so.

I thought about maybe using the Sony AVR to power everything until the XPA-7 becomes availible, but these are factory warrenteed speakers and I fear I may damage them prior to the installation of the Amplification that SHOULD be installed.

Then I started to think about (using emotiva as a reference) maybe using an XPA-2 for a while, or maybe the XPA-3 but it is actually less powerful then the 2. I think I may go crosseyed. As I said, I am deployed for a little while longer if things go as planned , but I would prefer to plan this out now, and drink beer when I get back:cheesygrin:

Thank You for your help in Advance!!!

chumlie

First of all. Thanks and get home safe. If your looking for new, there's a nice 5 chanel NAD-T-955 on sale at www.audioadvisor.com that should do the trick for $800. Maybe get a 2 channel at a later date for your 15's if ya feel the need.

EndersShadow

I would look at a used amplifier from companies like Sunfire, Carver, NAD, Parasound, etc. I know some folks run their LSi setup off the Pioneer SC models without amps, but other than that one instance (and maybe a NAD AVR) I dont think its the best idea personally.

I am running a set of LSi 15's, LSiC and LSi F/X in a 5.1 setup off a Carver AV-705x and it works good, but if I had your coin I would look at something like a Sunfire Cinema Grand 450/5, Sunfire TGA-5201, TGA-7201, or some Parasound models.

Those amps would never leave you wanting more from the LSi's.

I know the LSi line gets described as "laid back" but honestly I have not had any issues with wanting them to sound more "bright" personally. I think if you get a "warm" sounding amp you will honestly really enjoy the setup. Carvers, Parasound and Sunfire amps and LSi's seem to mate quite well which is why you see lots of folks on the forum running them.

Timothy Smith

Thank you for your service!

FDZombiedawg

Thank you both for the fast replies! I added the Audio Advisor to my favorites! I assume the Center, and Front Mains would benefit from the biggest boost with the nonpowered woofers in the 15's. Would it be advisible to stray away from the idea of a 7channel amp, and start with a 2/3 channel?

EndersShadow

FDZombiedawg wrote: »

Thank you both for the fast replies! I added the Audio Advisor to my favorites! I assume the Center, and Front Mains would benefit from the biggest boost with the nonpowered woofers in the 15's. Would it be advisible to stray away from the idea of a 7channel amp, and start with a 2/3 channel?

Firstly, thanks for your service as mentioned above, spaced that in my initial response .

I would honestly suggest getting amplification for all your LSi's. How you get to that many channels is up to you . My suggestion would be to power the front 3 channels with the MOST power, and the rest with less if you end up with multiple amplifiers.

So you could get a 5 channel amp and then another 2 channel amp for your surround rears. 3 channel amps are not as popular so they are a bith harder to find, but you could do one there and then 2 2 channel amps for your surrounds. Or you could get 2 of the same 2 channel amps for your fronts (with a unused channel) and then 2 more for your surrounds . As you can see there are many options.

FDZombiedawg

HaHa! Ok, I'll give myself a 7 day window for shipping prior to when I want to hook everything up, and then buy some juice after finding out how gutless the sony is for the channels that just don't sound good enough. EUREKA!!

polkfarmboy

A 7ch amp would be fine but I would spend a little more on a used 5 ch amp. Here is a proceed 5 and its made by a high end audio company but just not branded as such. I know one person that owns one and he has compared it to many others and is in love. If you want the best then this would be it .... The proceed 5 ch

You can buy these for $1200 easy on the used market

halo71

Timothy Smith wrote: »

Thank you for your service!

+1,000,000,000

chumlie

OK FDZ. What i meant was get the NAD and plug it into your system running the front 3 and 2 of the Fxi's. Now let your Sony handle the other FXi's. If that dosn't do the trick. Go to Ebay and wait for a Parasound HCA 1500a used ( around $400 ) and throw that on your 15's. $1200 total. You can always sell the NAD for what you paid and get something else if that dosn't drill your fancy. But i would grab the NAD now while its on sale. Or do like Enders said and look for good used equip all the way around.

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk! I think you are on the right track, get a 5-7 channel amp of at least 200wpc @ 8ohms either used or new. Brands to look at. Parasound, Sunfire, Outlaw, Emotiva, Rotel, Nad, Adcom, B&K.

Stay safe.

Syndil

Many ways to skin the cat. 2-channel for your mains, 5-channel for the rest, 3-channel for mains+center, two smaller 2-channels for the rest, 2 or 3 channel for mains/center, AVR for surrounds, etc.

If you're looking for a brighter sound, Rotel tends to be a bit on the bright side.

FDZombiedawg

Much thanks to everyone for the kind words and advice! I had a "7 Channel or no channel" purchase viewpoint more or less before, but I agree that may not be the best way to go now, depending on what is availible. Thanks Again!