Amp selection

airlung
airlung Posts: 24
edited June 2013 in Speakers
I have purchased the LSiM705, LSiM704c and the LSiM703 along with the Onkyo TX NR 828. Great sound but I would like to bring them to a higher level! Many say that the Onkyo NRTX 828 will not provide enough juice for the LSIM series and are suggesting I should get an exteral power amp to do the job. The Onkyo TX NR 828 is rate @ 130W, 8ohm and i am looking for a amp to top that. I looked into serval brands and the price tag on those is way out of my led!!!! (After getting the full series of LSIM i m petty much broke). I went to the onkyo wed site and see they have the PA-MC5501 9ch rated @ 150W per -Channel Power 8 ohm @ a reasonable price. I am planing to use the PA-MC5501 to push the 2 fronts and center LSIM and leave the surround to the Onkyo NR TX 828. My question is that is it worth to buy this PA-MC5501 rated @150w to go along with my existing TX NR 828 with the difference of +20W?
Post edited by airlung on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited June 2013
    Personally I would look at a better higher power 2 channel amp to drive the 705's and let the AVR power the center and surrounds. Lots of these around on Ebay and Craigslist. You don't have enough posts yet to check the FM but look around. You can also check Audiogon and Audiomart to see what they have
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,002
    edited June 2013
    If an amp isn't rated at 4 ohms, that's usually an indication of a weak power supply. Look for a used amp to push the front pair. Adcom, Carver, B&K, can all be had for a couple hundies, maybe 400 tops. B&k would be my preference or Parasound.

    In answer to your question, I would pass.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xftman
    xftman Posts: 153
    edited June 2013
    If you only want to power your 2 front channels why you pick a PA-MC5501 which is 9 channels. If you don't mind get a used 2 channels there are a lot you could pick like Adcom, Carver... for lot less.
    I don't have Onkyo 828 but I have a older version of 809. Yes 130 watts power on paper but even a 100 watts extenal amp will easily beat that. I have 809 with lsi setup before added power amps. yes they sound ok. But after I added Adcom GFA 555II to my front they over power the rest of channels. I ended up get a 5 channels Emo XPA5 (200wX5). night and day different. Check the Emotiva. I know I don't want to start the Emo fight here but if you in the tight budget and want something new Emo is a good option. Get all extenal amp to power your lovely lsiM if you have 828 (guess same rate power as 809).
    MAIN:
    Front- LsiM 707 (MIT Terminator 2 Bi-Wire),
    Center- lsiM 706,
    Surrounds- lsi F/X,
    Power sub PSW1000,
    Receiver- Harman Kardon Avr 3700,
    Amp - Emo XPR-5.

    Secondary (2.1):
    LsiM 703,
    HK Avr 3700,
    Yaqin MS-30L,
    Polk DSW-PRO 400.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • airlung
    airlung Posts: 24
    edited June 2013
    thx guys, any 2 channel amp i can find in around under $2000 bucks? I am really new to this and i need some pro advice!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited June 2013
    For 2k you have a LOT of options, check Audiogon for used and you can get something really nice, Bryston, Classe, BAT, look at the options and come back. Para sound Halo series would be nice too and cheaper.
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,002
    edited June 2013
    Wait a second....you said the price tags on Audiogon were way out of your league ? 2 grand ? Your options are unlimited at that price point. Sure you didn't mean 200.00 ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lanchile
    lanchile Posts: 560
    edited June 2013
    I would get a used Bryston amplifier. They are the most reliable amplifiers and they sound very good, Quality all over and they have a warranty of....20 years!!!!. I had a few of them and I loved them!!! Now I build my own amps :cool:
    Make it simple...Make it better!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited June 2013
    Been said already, $2k will buy a LOT of amp, especially if you go older models, and/or gently used.

    Stuff like this is all over:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Parasound-5250-V-2-THX-Ultra-2-Certified-5-Channel-Amplifier-2850-MSRP/151047048675?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D8101757473231655069%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D261221761327%26

    That would be plenty. And per my conversation with the Parasound people at CES this year, they couldn't honestly tell me I would notice a difference between the older HCA/New Classic stuff and the Halo series. They said they're all damn fine amps. ;)
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • xftman
    xftman Posts: 153
    edited June 2013
    Inspector 24 wrote: »
    Been said already, $2k will buy a LOT of amp, especially if you go older models, and/or gently used.

    Stuff like this is all over:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Parasound-5250-V-2-THX-Ultra-2-Certified-5-Channel-Amplifier-2850-MSRP/151047048675?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D8101757473231655069%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D261221761327%26

    That would be plenty. And per my conversation with the Parasound people at CES this year, they couldn't honestly tell me I would notice a difference between the older HCA/New Classic stuff and the Halo series. They said they're all damn fine amps. ;)
    airlung wrote: »
    thx guys, any 2 channel amp i can find in around under $2000 bucks? I am really new to this and i need some pro advice!!!

    No, he is looking for a 2 channels amp.
    MAIN:
    Front- LsiM 707 (MIT Terminator 2 Bi-Wire),
    Center- lsiM 706,
    Surrounds- lsi F/X,
    Power sub PSW1000,
    Receiver- Harman Kardon Avr 3700,
    Amp - Emo XPR-5.

    Secondary (2.1):
    LsiM 703,
    HK Avr 3700,
    Yaqin MS-30L,
    Polk DSW-PRO 400.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hertz9753
    hertz9753 Posts: 310
    edited June 2013
    What happened to the Onkyo 609 from 2 weeks ago and the cost issue? I'm confused.
    AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
    Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
    Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
    Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
    Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited June 2013
    airlung wrote: »
    thx guys, any 2 channel amp i can find in around under $2000 bucks? I am really new to this and i need some pro advice!!!

    Hey airlung,,,, great set of speakers you purchased! I have a beast of a 2 channel amp that I may be selling. A Rotel RB 1090 amp. 380 watts @ 8 ohms and 700 watts @ 4 ohms. It will power your speaks with plenty headroom to spare!!!
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Inspector 24
    Inspector 24 Posts: 1,308
    edited June 2013
    xftman wrote: »
    No, he is looking for a 2 channels amp.

    Do'h! Reading comprehension fail! Then options are limitless!
    Up
    LSi15 LSiC - RX-V3000

    Down
    LSiM707 - 706c - 702f/x - Dual HSU VTF-15H Mk2
    Parasound HCA-3500 - HCA-2003A - Marantz SR7005
    Sim2 D60 - Dragonfly 106" Panny 500

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2013
    I would get at minimum a 3 channel 200wpc or more amp for the front three speakers. Or better still a 5 channel amp and be done. For brand new look at Outlaw Audio or Emotiva XPA amps. Or go onto Audiogon and look for Parasound, Sunfire, Rotel, Nad, Adcom etc.

    Don't cheat the rest of your speakers of power since all will sound better with more of it and it will place less strain on your receiver.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • airlung
    airlung Posts: 24
    edited June 2013
    xftman wrote: »
    If you only want to power your 2 front channels why you pick a PA-MC5501 which is 9 channels. If you don't mind get a used 2 channels there are a lot you could pick like Adcom, Carver... for lot less.
    I don't have Onkyo 828 but I have a older version of 809. Yes 130 watts power on paper but even a 100 watts extenal amp will easily beat that. I have 809 with lsi setup before added power amps. yes they sound ok. But after I added Adcom GFA 555II to my front they over power the rest of channels. I ended up get a 5 channels Emo XPA5 (200wX5). night and day different. Check the Emotiva. I know I don't want to start the Emo fight here but if you in the tight budget and want something new Emo is a good option. Get all extenal amp to power your lovely lsiM if you have 828 (guess same rate power as 809).




    Many thx Xftman, just got my Emo XPA3 today, hooked it up, and Wow!! You ar right, night and day different!!! I do not care what others are saying for the EMOs but @ this price, what else to compliant about!!! I live in Hong Kong and even though I have to pay a fortune for shipping, I still think is well worth it!! I will spread my words around in Hong Kong about this gear and I hope more people can enjoy it. Thx again for your great recommendations!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • airlung
    airlung Posts: 24
    edited June 2013
    cfrizz wrote: »
    I would get at minimum a 3 channel 200wpc or more amp for the front three speakers. Or better still a 5 channel amp and be done. For brand new look at Outlaw Audio or Emotiva XPA amps. Or go onto Audiogon and look for Parasound, Sunfire, Rotel, Nad, Adcom etc.

    Don't cheat the rest of your speakers of power since all will sound better with more of it and it will place less strain on your receiver.



    And thx for yr advice as well cfrizz!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bondslex
    bondslex Posts: 109
    edited June 2013
    Get all the power that you can!
    LSI 15
    LSI C
    LSI FX
    80 fx ls for atmos
    Velodyne SPL-10
    Marantz 7012
    Panasonic 9000
    JVC 420
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter