LS-I 15 Amplification

isaiias
isaiias Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Speakers
Hi everybody,
I have the opportunity to purchase a Rotel Class D RMB-1575 for around $1400 brand new. My other cohice is an XPA-5 from Emotiva for $800 new as well. It seems the Rotel is able to crank 500 watts RMS at 4 ohms. Any suggestions on which one would work best for a pair of LSI-15's?
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  • isaiias
    isaiias Posts: 8
    edited June 2014
    By the way, i'm currently using a Pioneer SC-27 Receiver. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a worthwhile upgrade.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,001
    edited June 2014
    Either amp will work fine....just a matter of sound preference.
    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
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,220
    edited June 2014
    I ran my 15's with an XPA-5 with good results. I'm confident the Rotel would be even better, but that's just my opinion.

    I currently run a Pio SC-05 with a NAD T-955 and the amp does make a difference over the Pio alone. Is the difference worth $1K? Matter of opinion.

    Not that you want to get into Xo mods and such, but I do agree with anonymouse. The XO mod will be a bigger bang for your buck. The mod is about $500 (less if you can do it yourself).
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2014
    I have always loved Rotel gear. If you can afford it get it!!!! A separate amp will insure that your speakers will operate to their full potential no matter what crossovers are in them.

    I personally am not interested in fiddling with the insides of my gear or packing it up to send it off to someone who will fiddle with them.
    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
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited June 2014
    As anonymousse said, you could try to upgrade the crossovers. To do that, you could buy the Emotiva (or a used power amplifier) and keep the 600$ toward a XO upgrade which should be plenty enough.

    Sure a better amp could be interresting, but I think you would be best served with a better crossover and a good amplifier than with a better (pricier) amplifier. Some people will disagree, but once you have some quality gear with enough power for your taste and needs, a better pair of speakers makes a more interresting difference than getting a better amp or a better DAC.... at least, for your money.
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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  • isaiias
    isaiias Posts: 8
    edited June 2014
    Hi guys, thanks for all the input. Where can I upgrade the crossovers?
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,220
    edited June 2014
    www.vr3mods.com

    Trey (Vr3) is a member here, does great work, and is completely trustworthy.

    There are a few threads on the forum that show some of his work.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,001
    edited June 2014
    isaiias wrote: »
    By the way, i'm currently using a Pioneer SC-27 Receiver. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a worthwhile upgrade.

    If you had the coin to only do one, I'd say get the amp first, crossovers later. Even with a crossover upgrade, the Pioneer receiver isn't going to drive them to their full potential. Get the amp first and see how it sounds.
    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
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited June 2014
    isaiias wrote: »
    By the way, i'm currently using a Pioneer SC-27 Receiver. I'm trying to figure out if this would be a worthwhile upgrade.

    Didn't read that message... It's probably one of the best "big brand" receiver there were a few years back, but with no 4 ohm capability, you would take a gamble by using your LSi15 on this receiver.

    I would say that a high-current amplifier would be mandatory: buy something like a high current 200wpc (and up) amplifier and they'll shine.

    Also, if you buy a 5 channel amplifiers, is it because you want to get a full set of LSi? If so, yeah, amplifier is necessary as the receiver will definitely not cut it.

    Considering you could buy the Rotel for 1400$, as I said before, you could buy the Emotiva and keep the difference toward a crossover upgrade.
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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