LSi series (LSi15s, 7s and LSiC) and what AVR?

MNaudioguy
MNaudioguy Posts: 19
edited January 2013 in Speakers
I am trying to find a good AVR to work with these speakers. I do understand I need to get an amp, probably sooner rather than later. I want to use it 50/50 for movies and music. I dont need all the bells and whistles like 4k. What I do want is a good AVR with preouts and the best for my money. At some point i would like to consolidate my music/movies to a PC/External drive to being able to utilize that is something I am looking for. To give you and idea of what I am looking at,

Marantz 5007
Denon 3313
Onkyo 818
Pioneer 1222-k (I am wondering if this is a great buy on newegg right now for $549)

I have asked this question on a few forums in a few different ways but am just torn on what to grab. I would appreciate any perspective I can find.
Post edited by MNaudioguy on
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Comments

  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited January 2013
    Honestly none of those alone will run those speakers well, I know you're aware of that and prepared for an amp but you'll really need to keep the volume down especially with 5 channels driven. I don't think the 1122 has preouts to add an amp. What's your budget?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,005
    edited January 2013
    Well, none of those receivers on their own are capable of driving 5 4ohm speakers, period. It's not a question of sooner or later you'll get an amp, you need one off the bat with these speakers.

    That said, look for an avr with all the bells and whistles you like, with pre outs, and budget yourself at least another 500 for a used amp. Not knowing your budget offhand is going to limit the responses.
    HT SYSTEM-
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    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2013
    MN:

    Your going to need an amp regardless with any of those AVR's. The ONLY AVR's I would suggest running LSi's off without a dedicated amp would be some of the higher end Pioneer Elite receivers. Think SC-07, SC-65, ect.

    Otherwise its a total crap shoot if your gonna blow the AVR before you get an amp.

    If you dont want to have to invest in a dedicated amp on top of an AVR then your gonna need to take the cost of both and put it into a REALLY good AVR....
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • MNaudioguy
    MNaudioguy Posts: 19
    edited January 2013
    Makes sense, and I wont even start up the AVR without an amp. :) Enders you are always there to help out!

    yes, the 1222-k has pre-outs. that is why it is an attractive option for me. My budget it somewhere in the 500-800 ballpark. Preferrably wanting to stay closer to 500-700. I am also open to refurbs from accessories for less. Someone also mentioned the Onkyo 809 as well. I am really open. Point taken on the amp off the bat though
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,682
    edited January 2013
    these should help
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?141228-Onkyo-PR-SC886-Pre-pro-Controller
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134468-B-amp-K-Components-AV5125-5-Channel-Amplifier
    these would be a good buy for about what you'd send on a AVR.
    whoop just notice you won't be able to see. maybe the sellers will step up
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2013
    MNaudioguy wrote: »
    Makes sense, and I wont even start up the AVR without an amp. :) Enders you are always there to help out!

    yes, the 1222-k has pre-outs. that is why it is an attractive option for me. My budget it somewhere in the 500-800 ballpark. Preferrably wanting to stay closer to 500-700. I am also open to refurbs from accessories for less. Someone also mentioned the Onkyo 809 as well. I am really open. Point taken on the amp off the bat though

    The 709 is also an option. Most of the 709 v 809 is in the amp section (which you wont use) and the 809 also has a removeable powercord. So the 709 is also an option for you if the 809 is a bit cost prohibitive.

    If you can find one of the older Pioneer SC series AVR's used that might be worth breaking your budget for IMHO, but its gotta be the "right" one of those.

    Then you can be good from the get go
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • nwohlford
    nwohlford Posts: 700
    edited January 2013
    If I had to run any of those with 4 ohm speakers, it would be the Pioneer SC-1222. With the class D3 amps, at least heat will be less of an issue. Still keep the volume reasonable until you are able to get an amp.
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  • MNaudioguy
    MNaudioguy Posts: 19
    edited January 2013
    nwohlford wrote: »
    If I had to run any of those with 4 ohm speakers, it would be the Pioneer SC-1222. With the class D3 amps, at least heat will be less of an issue. Still keep the volume reasonable until you are able to get an amp.

    Lets pretend i had an amp, would yous still chose the SC-1222k over the others i suggested? or the 709/809 proposed above. There are too many choices, how do ppl stay sane, haha
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2013
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    these should help
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?141228-Onkyo-PR-SC886-Pre-pro-Controller
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134468-B-amp-K-Components-AV5125-5-Channel-Amplifier
    these would be a good buy for about what you'd send on a AVR.
    whoop just notice you won't be able to see. maybe the sellers will step up

    Yup, the listings are for a Onkyo PR-SC886 Pre/pro Controller for sale by rtart for 575 shipped within the US and a B&K Components AV5125 - 5 Channel Amplifier for sale by MKZ for 550 + shipping.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cowtrimmer
    cowtrimmer Posts: 201
    edited January 2013
    Wouldnt the LSi15 be much better suited to bi-amping than other speakers just because of the built in sub and the 4ohm impedance ? Running a good receiver like an 8 series Onkyo or an elite Panasonic along with a 5 channel amp like the B&K mentioned would be better than just a pre and the amp for about the same cost wouldn't it ?
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  • jmwest1970
    jmwest1970 Posts: 846
    edited January 2013
    MNaudioguy wrote: »
    Lets pretend i had an amp, would yous still chose the SC-1222k over the others i suggested? or the 709/809 proposed above. There are too many choices, how do ppl stay sane, haha

    I recently picked up a SC-1222-K from NewEgg and have been very impressed by it. I ran it for a short while with a pair of Totem Rainmakers, which are also 4 ohm speakers, and it had no troubles. Also, it does have 9.2 pre outs for external amplifiers. I also have a Marantz SR5003, and I prefer the sound of the Pioneer for both movies and music.
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  • nwohlford
    nwohlford Posts: 700
    edited January 2013
    MNaudioguy wrote: »
    Lets pretend i had an amp, would yous still chose the SC-1222k over the others i suggested? or the 709/809 proposed above. There are too many choices, how do ppl stay sane, haha

    I personally prefer Marantz for a system used for music as well as HT. I run my LSIs using a Marantz SR7005 with an external amp. I do like the Onkyos for HT though. The Denon and the Marantz you listed are probably pretty similar. (I have not had a Denon for a while.)
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,655
    edited January 2013
    If you don't need HDMI, I could get you into a Rotel RSP-1068 rather cheaply. ;)
    Then you could use the extra that you saved on the pre/pro for a nicer 5 channel amp!

    Hey...I'm just here to help! Hehe
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • MNaudioguy
    MNaudioguy Posts: 19
    edited January 2013
    ZLTFUL wrote: »
    If you don't need HDMI, I could get you into a Rotel RSP-1068 rather cheaply. ;)
    Then you could use the extra that you saved on the pre/pro for a nicer 5 channel amp!

    Hey...I'm just here to help! Hehe

    Well i will be using HDMI for cable/blu ray if that is what you mean.
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,655
    edited January 2013
    Meant the HDMI funtionality on the AVR. You can always send the audio signals from the sources to the pre (or avr) and the HDMIs for video directly to the TV.
    But HDMI has simplified all of that in the sense that you can plug in an HDMI cable vs a video cable of some sort and then audio cables.
    But the standalone pre/pro is going to provide better overall processing. And then we all are aware of the benefits of a standalone amp.
    AVR will be a compromise but will be easier for setup.

    I was partially joking anyway. The Rotel is making a wonderful pre-amp for my 2 channel system atm. But I feel like I am cheating it since it is an amazing 7.1 surround processor first and foremost.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    edited January 2013
    The Onkyo 717 (latest series) is $550 Newegg. Goes on sale for $499 sometimes. Got it some Preouts too.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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