What receiver to power the Polk LSiM series?

Landmonster

Hi guys.

So for what it is worth, I thought I'd add an update to this thread.

After extensive reading, stat studying, and mental jiu jitsu over this... I decided to buy several receivers and literally just test them all in my living room.

I purchased the Denon x4500 vs Yahama rx-a1080 vs Pioneer elite lx503.

For those that care... Yes, there are noticable sound quality changes between the 3 brands... Even on stereo or 2h direct mode. I did not get into surround modes, or room correction settings.

Here are my thoughts below. I listened to each of them for several hours using the same tracks, same speakers, cables, listening position, etc.

Pioneer 503: For whatever reason, this one had the most bass output. This made the 703s come alive on the bass and feel very punchy, but the overall sound clarity left something to be desired. Soundstaging felt less than precise, and vocals seemed to have some sort of "veil" over them which made them seem less realistic. It was a decent sound, but never really immersed me in the music.

Yamaha rx-a1080:. This receiver had an immediate improvement in detail and realism over the Pioneer. I was hearing details and subtleties in songs that I did not notice much on the Pioneer. The soundstaging was also more realistic.
However, something about the sound never really amazed me.... For lack of a better term, it felt clinical and dry. I could hear all the detail I wanted, but never felt immersed.

Denon x4500h:. The last receiver I tested was the one I ended up keeping. It had similar detail like the Yamaha, but with slightly more "real" sounding vocals and imaging. For lack of a better term, the Denon made 2ch music feel more present in the room. Everything seemed detailed, yet more clear, and separated, with a higher degree of realism.




Take this for what it is worth

dromunds

rooftop59 wrote: »

Landmonster wrote: »

dromunds wrote: »

Why not stick with the receiver you have and add a LSiM 706 Center if still on sale at Adorama for something like 75 percent off at five hundy, or the LSiM 704 for two hundy and change if the 706 is too large for your shelf, etc. I never felt the need for a sub with my 703’s but I have a smallish room - but you could add a good sub and you’d have the foundation for a nice HT. If you have the dough get the 705’s as well while Adorama is selling for such a great discount - don’t know if the LSiM’s are still on sale but that should be easy to find out, somebody here can probably supply the link. If you can’t afford the 705’s maybe pick up another pair of 703’s - as mentioned above an all LSiM bookshelf system can sound real nice assuming you don’t have to purchase stands which would make 705’s perhaps more sensible. Can’t remember if you stated how big your room is. You can keep your eyes open for a good used amp in the for sale Forum here. Hang around and get your post count up over 100 posts so can take advantage of all sales here some guys including myself will not sell to less than 100 posters to avoid problems.

See my above post. The 703s don't have enough bass for me currently. This, I need to add a sub and/or towers

I don't know if the 707s with an amp would have enough bass, but I suspect they would.

If this is for home theater @clipdat is right you will absolutely want a center channel, and unless you have really massive towers, you will want a sub. If it was me, I would first add a center channel and a sub and run 3.1 for a while. Then decide about surrounds an possibly an amp. I will say that I was not happy with my 703s until I got a high current amp, a rotel rob-993 @ 200 wpc. So I think either way you want an amp, but that can be down the road. I promise, when you add the amp it will be like getting new speakers.

The Denon you ended up with is a good receiver. You mentioned early on in this thread that budget was a consideration. If so, several have mentioned what Rooftop reiterated above, run a 3.1 for a while. Get a LSiM 704 center on sale at Adorama and a good sub and lay back and enjoy yourself. Like Rooftop said, then decide about an amp and maybe 705's down the road. As an aside, not sure why you are not getting good bass with your 703's, the bass is quite remarkable with mine and many others I've heard.

mrloren

I like the Denon/Marantz systems I've built. does very good in music and movies.

My previous Sony ES was great on music but didn't fare well on movies.

mdaudioguy

Way to go! That Denon is a good one. Glad you were able to use your own ears to make the choice. Enjoy!

rooftop59

I do agree that in my room the Denon is also slightly superior to the Yamaha, but I think that the differences were more subtle than you are hearing. But I never compared side by side fwiw...

Congrats, you are putting together a great system!