Integrated amp for lsim 703

explod3 · August 2017

Just as title suggests, i'm looking for either a good integrated amp to make these babies sing. I'm currently running a 15 year old harman kardon avr with 40wpc and it sounds like disappointment.

The problem is i'm very frugal. Is there any way I can get get by with someone in the neighborhood of $300? I don't mind used or waiting for a bargain. I know everyone recommends some $2500 parasounds or emotiva, but i'm not made of money and we all know this game can go on forever.

txcoastal1 · August 2017

You're going to some how up your budget...
This is the best thing I came up with doing a search

This item has been tried, tested, and Polkie approved paired with the 703's up in Dallas for an audio meet. $699 is a steal

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-plinius-8100-integrated-amplifier-100-140-wpc-remote-msrp-2-000-2017-08-03-integrateds

deronb1 · August 2017

Im gonna get flamed for this, but for 300.00 you would be best served by picking up an older beast of an AVR. I had decent luck pairing 703s with an Onkyo TX-SR 805. 130 wpc. 51 lbs

txcoastal1 · August 2017

deronb1 wrote: »

Im gonna get flamed for this, but for 300.00 you would be best served by picking up an older beast of an AVR. I had decent luck pairing 703s with an Onkyo TX-SR 805. 130 wpc. 51 lbs

It's gonna be better than what he has now.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

here ya go. Tell Ted Nugent from Garfield Heights sent you.
You can grow with this as it has a pre.
http://echohifi.com/details/11369/Creek_A50i

explod3 · August 2017

Thanks for the advice guys. I was expecting to get flamed hard. I know you need to pay to play, but I like to take baby steps up rather than diving into endgame stuff. This gives me somewhere to start for research.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

you could poke around accessories4less if you want to hassle w/ a refurb
integrated unit... it would still push this budget.

deronb1 · August 2017

Also, are you bi-wiring? If not, make sure your jumpers are good and tight.

explod3 · August 2017

It looks like i'm going to push my budget a bit. Ignorant question, but is there a sweet spot for wpc? Like lets say I'm 80 vs 150... are we talking about a marginal difference or audible difference to an untrained ear?

[Deleted User] · August 2017

Great question.

txcoastal1 · August 2017

How about something like this

http://www.harmankardon.com/black-friday-2016/HK+3700.html?dwvar_HK 3700_color=Black#start=1

Emlyn · August 2017

deronb1 wrote: »

Im gonna get flamed for this, but for 300.00 you would be best served by picking up an older beast of an AVR. I had decent luck pairing 703s with an Onkyo TX-SR 805. 130 wpc. 51 lbs

I agree. There are a ton of barely used 5-10 year old home theater receivers on the market for around the $300 mark. People sell them on when the latest and greatest HDMI version comes along. Even a Pioneer Elite SC-05 will go for around that price point now.

Integrated amps tend to hold their value much better and so are more expensive for what you get on the used market.

explod3 · August 2017

I see a denon avr 5800 used for $250. @ 170wpc what would be the selling point of buying newer vs older tech other than looking cool which I can care less about?

deronb1 · August 2017

If its 2ch, nothing really. Is that 170 @ 8 ohms?

deronb1 · August 2017

Just looked it up. Holy crap! That thing is impressive! 250.00 soibds like a no brainer if its workibg properly.

[Deleted User] · August 2017

I have a Denon AVR 4520ci @ 150 wpc and the 703's sound just fine.
I don't see you doing better for $250.

deronb1 · August 2017

rednedtugent wrote: »

I have a Denon AVR 4520ci @ 150 wpc and the 703's sound just fine.
I don't see you doing better for $250.

Me either.

explod3 · August 2017

Thanks for the advice you guys are awesome.

txcoastal1 · August 2017

explod3 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice you guys are awesome.

Please report back and let us know what ya' got....and if your audio experience improved

Helps for future advice

Welcome to club Polk

PSOVLSK · August 2017

I'm obviously partial, but this combo is magic.
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2324788#Comment_2324788

Same link that Dskip posted.

Here is a discussion before I owned the Menuetto:
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/168143/results-integrated-shootout-with-lsim703#latest

Read the "Shootout" thread and you'll see that wpc means very little.

I made of the mistake of posting and then reading through the thread: That Denon looks tough to beat at $250. No way it sounds better than the Menuetto, but the price difference is obviously significant.

Plus, the Menuetto is kind of on hold for a Polkie.

Unknown · August 2017

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jeremymarcinko · August 2017

^^^That Yamaha seems like a great option.

Unknown · August 2017

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WLDock · August 2017

explod3 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys. I was expecting to get flamed hard. I know you need to pay to play, but I like to take baby steps up rather than diving into endgame stuff. This gives me somewhere to start for research.

adb3da · August 2017

If considering the older receivers like others have suggested, search for a Denon 4802R.

explod3 · August 2017

As a follow up follow up for any future individuals that may stumble upon this post, I ended up picking up that denon reciever and even talking the price down to $200. The reciever was insanely heavy and came with remote. I was going to set up my velodyne 12" sub to use with the lsim speakers but found it not necessary at all. The speakers really opened up in the amp and I know it sounds strange to say this but it seems like the soundstage opened up as well. The sound literally went from **** to chocolate in an instant. The highs sounded a bit fatiguing but I realize that my speakers are most likely far from broken in. What a difference the reciever makes though... I came from the headphone world where the DAC and tube amps offer marginal benefits a majority of the time, but this one really went to 11. Im more than satisfied with my purchase. I'm sure this experience will be stepping stone one in a lifelong journey to audio valhalla.

deronb1 · August 2017

Way to pull the trigger on that Denon. Crazy good price.

Integrated amp for lsim 703

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