Powering LSI9's

tonyb

steveinaz wrote: »

Well, saying an amp has "too much power" is akin to saying your car can go "too fast." I'm not seeing a downside. However, if you listen at moderate levels, and your amp is spec'd for 4 ohms loads; and you have a satisfying level of "headroom" for your listening habits, more power does NOT mean better power in many cases. I think anyone with a Pass Labs 30w amp can attest to this.

It's like any hobby, look for the amp that meets your specific needs (speaker efficiency vs desired listening levels)--but be realistic in your expectations.

Cha-ching Steve. Let me also add there is a limit for each individual speakers needs. For instance, pouring 1000 watts into monitor 40's isn't going to transform them into Sonus Fabers.....and about 950 watts will go unused.

tonyb

Ginn wrote: »

So I went down to the local A/V shop and grabbed the Cambridge Azur 651a just to see what would happen.
It has 125wpc at 4ohm and seamed like a decent Int amp. I compared it with my current emotiva putting out 300w at 4ohm.
I know a lot of people talk about wpc and how much you really need, along with int amps vs preamp and amp combo.
So here's what I thought….. and I had a good buddy with me who had the same opinion.
The emotiva mixed with my ht onkyo amp was full detailed, great soundstage, plenty of volume and punch, and we found it could go louder if we wanted.
The Cambridge sounded flat, no detail, soundstage was ok but nothing special, and if you tried to push the volume, which was over 3/4 on the knob, it sounded muffled.
I know there is a difference between watts and quality watts. My opinion is if you are going to spend 1000+ on an int amp I'm sure you can get something decent, but if you have a budget you will have to go with a preamp / amp to drive these speakers.
I would love to grab a peachtree nova125, but for half the price I can get a XDA-2 preamp with built in DAC and a XPA-200 which will push 240w x 2 at 4ohm.
I think that's the way to go. That's just my 2cents.

You have to start by comparing apples and apples, not apples and oranges. You want to compare stand alone amps, then do so with another, not an integrated.

It's about current capacity and delivery, analog output stages, the smallish Cambridge your comparing to isn't designed to drive power hungry floorstanders so no wonder your results are as they were.

Your working on the premise that more watts per coin spent is in your best interest, not necessarily so.

F1nut

I can think of many integrated amps that will put what you're considering to shame. Hell, I've heard the LSi9's run with a 80wpc Cary tube integrated that would.

Ginn

F1nut wrote: »

I can think of many integrated amps that will put what you're considering to shame. Hell, I've heard the LSi9's run with a 80wpc Cary tube integrated that would.

Do tell ……. which ones are you thinking about?

steveinaz

Luxman integrateds also don't have HUGE power, but are highly sought after and have no problems with low impedance speakers.

tonyb

Tube power is another story. But comparing that Cambridge.....was like a rigged prize fight. There's all sorts of integrateds built for different applications just like amps are also built for different applications. That's why I said you have to compare apples and apples.

FTGV

cmy330go wrote: »

Must be some pretty tasty Kool-Aid.

You missed the smiley.

NJPOLKER

Cambridge Audio does make nice products and for that reason sell a lot of product. However when you have a salesman at a A/V store who does not know or care what the application is you have customers buying/using mismatched components. Its a shame and when you have gullible persons out in the audio world making stupid statements and comparisons.

Ginn

nbrowser wrote: »

Ginn, if I may, I'd be willing to visit your home with an amp in tow for demonstration that is if you've got a receiver with pre outs or a preamp handy. See what we can do to those LSi9s...just an offer is all.

Hey nbrowser. Thanks for the offer. I see you picked up that parasound. I have the emotiva which is putting out 300wpc @4ohms which makes the LSI9's sound great. I was just looking for an integrated amp that could do all that in one. I think there is plenty out there but they are pricey. I think i'll just go with the preamp with an amp that puts out at least 200w at 4ohm.

NJPOLKER

Ginn wrote: »

Hey nbrowser. Thanks for the offer. I see you picked up that parasound. I have the emotiva which is putting out 300wpc @4ohms which makes the LSI9's sound great. I was just looking for an integrated amp that could do all that in one. I think there is plenty out there but they are pricey. I think i'll just go with the preamp with an amp that puts out at least 200w at 4ohm.

Hey Ginn
Its great to learn you your LSi's sound great. The folks around here are the best and will assist you with anything with-in reason your looking for.
What are you looking for?

marvda1

this would be a killer amp, the word is it was designed by nelson pass.
http://www.portalaudio.com/panache.html

F1nut

My opinion is if you are going to spend 1000+ on an int amp I'm sure you can get something decent, but if you have a budget you will have to go with a preamp / amp to drive these speakers.

Well, you're right that you can get a very decent used integrated for that money. However, you're not going to get a very decent used or new pre amp/amp for said amount.

Ginn wrote: »

Do tell ……. which ones are you thinking about?

In the $1000-$1500 (uesd) price range, two top contenders would be either the Musical Fidelity A308 or A5. Plinius also makes a nice one.

F1nut

tonyb wrote: »

Tube power is another story. But comparing that Cambridge.....was like a rigged prize fight. There's all sorts of integrateds built for different applications just like amps are also built for different applications. That's why I said you have to compare apples and apples.

All true.

txcoastal1

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649090523-krell_kav300i_hiend_integrated_with_remote_control_150w_8_ohms_300w_4_ohms/

cmy330go

FTGV wrote: »

You missed the smiley.

Ah. Didn't miss it, but apparently misinterpreted it. My bad. :-)

ZLTFUL

marvda1 wrote: »

this would be a killer amp, the word is it was designed by nelson pass.
http://www.portalaudio.com/panache.html

The hood off shot does look very Nelson-y. Hehe

fossy

315 X 2 is not crazy for the lsi9's .....it's the current man the current ..........do I understand why current is important to the lsi9's ... sorta ina way I do .....I just listened to the ppl here on da forum ... I don't have the lsi9's hooked up right now but when I bought them I drove them with a integrated amp ... HK ........after a little while I took the forums advice and went to seperates ...the 9's just started to shine ... parasound 1200mkll & a B & k pt5 for a pre-amp ... it's a great combo

tonyb

There ya go..^^^ another happy Parasound/B&k user with LSI's, great combo for RTI's too and most suggested brands around here for those speakers.

tonyb

Of course your in a good mood...you've had plenty of bowel movements since getting that amp.

Ginn

Ha Ha, you guys are to much.
I love the idea of just a really good integrated amp to power these guy's just for space. I just re-did my office and there really isn't a lot of room for a big amp.
On the other hand I've heard them sing with my 300wpc ss amp and they are impressive. I would hate to see them not live up to their potential with a sub par set up.
I'm still torn, but still looking. I've been eyeing up a peachtree set up. Either the Nova 125 integrated or i've been looking at the peachtree preamp with the 220amp….. which i love but is a little pricey.
I really like the smaller size and they would fit a lot better with my shelving unit.

Ginn

nbrowser wrote: »

Op still has a standing offer to hear his LSi9s with a Parasound. I'm in good mood today

I might take you up on that just to see how it sounds compared to my emotiva, however I don't have a preamp to hook up with your parasound. I just have my HT set up which would be a pain in the a$$ to pull it apart but might be worth it.

cmy330go

With a little patience you might be able to find a preowned Music Hall a70.2 ($1500 new) integrated near your price range. 180wpc @ 4ohm.

tonyb

For 1500 bucks, I'd take a used Musical Fidelity A5 integrated all day which imho would slap silly what he has now.

cmy330go

tonyb wrote: »

For 1500 bucks, I'd take a used Musical Fidelity A5 integrated all day which imho would slap silly what he has now.

Wow. There's some deals to be had on those. This is just 1 of 3 available on Audiogon.
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-musical-fidelity-a5-pre-amp-2013-12-05-preamplifiers-53562-middleton-wi

Erik Tracy

tonyb wrote: »

For 1500 bucks, I'd take a used Musical Fidelity A5 integrated all day which imho would slap silly what he has now.

Amen......I can testify!

Love my A5.

Ginn

nbrowser wrote: »

awwwww Ginn c'mon...the HCA-1200II really isn't that big(tall)...I mean....how hard would it be to stuff a little pre-amp somewhere ? lol. Just tryin to help you out is all And yes, my offer still stands....I wouldn't mind getting an ear on the LSi9's either...as far a pre goes, I can drag the HK 3375 too, it's real easy to yank out of it's system than the 3490 is.

I think I may have found a unit that would work. If it all goes well we should put my new one up against your parasound and my current emotiva just to compare and enjoy. I'm thinking the new year. Then you can hear the LSI9's as well at my RTIa9's with all the different amps.