seperate amp or complete HT setup?

pmckeealaska

I have been wrestling with a problem now for two months and am hoping for some assistance. I purchased a pair of Lsi 25's this past fall and recently got a NAD T763 reciever with the intention of setting up a HT system (full Lsi line with an LSiC and a pair of LsiFX's). My debate is this: I am mostly interested in music first and HT second, though I have been getting more into movies lately. I would really like to up my power and the quality of music by possibly getting a seperate amp to power my two 25's (a NAD C272 perhaps). I talked with the guy I bought the T763 from and he said that if I'm really interested in improving the quality of sound for music, then I should replace my speakers!! I really don't want to do this at this point. I'm wondering if I should just complete my HT setup first and then look into a seperate amp for my two mains and use the reciever as a pre-amp. Again, music is my first priority and that is why I'm hesitating.......any suggestions? By the way, the T763 kicks some serious butt..........

AsSiMiLaTeD

Replace your speakers??? With what???

Nah, that's an ill advised plan of action...music is what those LSi's were created for...

I'd say you're set on speakers, I'd look at adding more power for the fronts...like you mentioned. I don't know much about that NAD amp, but whatever brand you go with, I'd get more power on those fronts.

Once you're set there, then you can look into a better CD player, DAC, etc...but I'd start with the power, no way that receiver is letting those fronts near their full potential...

pmckeealaska

OK....the max. power suggestion for the Lsi 25's is 300w....the dynamic power for the NAD T763 is 2X300 watts @ 4 ohms. The amplifier I'm interested in, the NAD C272 has dynamic power of 340 watts per channel @ 4 ohms. Will this overpower the Lsi 25's? The last thing I want to do is mess up my speakers. I find this power spec. stuff confusing. Help!!!!

dorokusai

No, the NAD will not "overpower" them. Distortion will occur before failure.

Oh, and your "guy" sounds like a real audio genius :rolleyes:

pmckeealaska

Well my "guy" is probably way more knowlegable than I am. So I guess it would not be best for me to get the C272 or would it just mean that I have to be more careful about how loud I crank the volume up? Would you expect me to gain any quality in sound by adding it to my system?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by pmckeealaska
Well my "guy" is probably way more knowlegable than I am. So I guess it would not be best for me to get the C272 or would it just mean that I have to be more careful about how loud I crank the volume up? Would you expect me to gain any quality in sound by adding it to my system?

you're not going to blow those speakers with that amp...

like Mark said, you'll get distortion way before failure, meaning basically your ears won't allow you to blow those speakers...

That amp sound PERFECT for your application...

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by pmckeealaska
Would you expect me to gain any quality in sound by adding it to my system?

Yes, very much so...

pmckeealaska

well, the "guy" I talked to said I would probably notice a small increase in quality at best and that getting new speakers was the way to go. Since he was the one I bought the NAD T763 from, I wouldn't exopect him to not want to sell the amp to me. Maybe he just isnt very knowledgable?? I just don't want to spend 600 or 700 bucks on something without knowing I'll get noticable improvements from it.

cfrizz

Get the amp and enjoy the music. I recently added one to my system and it makes all the difference in the world to give your speakers all the power they can handle. Go for it!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by pmckeealaska
well, the "guy" I talked to said I would probably notice a small increase in quality at best and that getting new speakers was the way to go. Since he was the one I bought the NAD T763 from, I wouldn't exopect him to not want to sell the amp to me. Maybe he just isnt very knowledgable?? I just don't want to spend 600 or 700 bucks on something without knowing I'll get noticable improvements from it.

What speakers did he suggest you get?

dorokusai

My comment was more based to his statement of replacing your current speakers. I bet he has the perfect ones for you also huh?

I would get the HT square, then buy the 2CH amp...but it's your call. The NAD gear, either piece, will have the same tonality, and since you aren't using any other channels....the T763 probably gets plenty loud allready because it's not taxed.

I don't think you will have a markedly different result, in your current application, but that's just my opinion. They are similar in specs, and even the toroid transformer is the same I believe.

NAD makes really solid, underrated gear. If you want a obvious change in sound, then pick up 2 218THX's, bridge them mono....and at that point you WILL need new speakers

AsSiMiLaTeD

Mark, I think he intended of buying the NAD amp to suppliment the receiver he already has, so he'd be bi-amping with those two, in which case he should notice a difference in sound...but I could be mistaken, I've been wrong before...

pmckeealaska

he didn't really suggest any partucular brand of speakers, but he really ragged on my LSi 25's and Polks in general. You know, the usual mass production equals lower quality B.S. I told him I was already VERY happy with my speakers and he kind of shut up after that. He is a good guy though. The NAD T763 I bougght from him has made a noticable improvement from the reciever I had before (HK AVR 330). He just said that getting the C272 would not give me a noticeble improvement in sound, though he did say in might improve it some. I guess it would depend upon the ear of the listener. Again, though I do want to get a complete HT set with the LSi series eventually, music is really my first interest/love, so that is where I am shooting for improvement in quality. Another problem for me is that I live in Fairbanks Alaska and, needless to say, there aint a lot of choices for quality HT or stereo gear up hear. I have to do the research and then hope what I'm getting will be worth it. I definately made the right choice with the NAD though. I'll take my time before I spend the cash. I think this forum will be very helpful.

hamzahsh

pmckeealaska,

3 days ago, I purchased NAD C272 which I'm using for my RT800i. The reason I choose because of 2 ch music performance. Unbelievable sound man crystal clear and detailed sound, I bi-wired my RT800i to it. I'm using my Yamaha RX-V1400 as a pre/pro. NAD is a solid amp lot of power. The sound is dynamic and sonic. It has a soft clipping circuitry which protects the AMP from clipping at high volumes. Built like a tank and has High Current Holmgren Torroidal Transformer. NAD amps mate perfect for Polk Audio Speakers. It is bridgeable to mono. Solid power supply and has a IEC detachable power cord.


Check out the reviews at www.audioreview.com and look for C270 the older version of this AMP and its got 4.75 rating out of 5 on 20 reviews. Warm clean sound, the more I the turn up the better it gets and bigger the sound gets with solid mid/range and highs and lot of depth in the music.

Go for it!

dorokusai

PM - Oh ok, bi-amping, that I did not realize.

I still thinks it's a wash because the gear is very similar. Bi-Amping is a 50/50 result...just like Bi-Wiring, both have fans and non-believers.

I would just stick with the T763, but that's just me.

Good luck in what you choose.

danger boy

well since your guy is so set on you replacing your LSi's.. do it. see how soon you take em back, and go back to your LSi's.

What is it you don't like about your current sound? Alot of the people in here use external amps.. me included. and i'm very pleased with the sound. A more powerful external can make improvements in your sound quality. It did in my case.. and i have tired old gear.

mantis

Anyone with NAD gear don't take offence to what I'm about to type.This is my opnion on my dealings with NAD.

Personally I think the improvement over your HK is wonderful but your speakers could benefit from a higher quality better sounding in my opnion Preamp and amp.NAD makes nice gear but I feel they are very bright,and lack the level of detail I expect from a pre/amp combo or a receiver for that matter with that kind of current drive.For the money I feel the NAD is better sounding then your tipical Japanese receivers of today.But to go to the next level,a better choice might be order.

Music first systems need carefull planning.I do the same thing with my system.I own B&K and find to to be very musical.Rotel is another company I find to be "music first" and theater 2nd.

Cables are very important to the overall tone of the system.The last word if you will.Without the proper cables to match the system,the highest level of reproduction can't be achived.

I'm waiting for the Lsi25's to arrive in our stores(Tweeter)so I can compare them to what I own now(LSI15's).

Setup is another thing that got to be carefully done.Without setting up the 25's properly,high music quality you will not have.

the room,this is another thing that gets overlooked.Is the room designed for music or are you trying to get this done in a not so good room?If the room isn't so good,then fix it you will have to do.

I would like to help you achive your musical goals,but I will require more info about your current system,wires,sources,room spec's and whats in the room.Together along with other members help, you can get where you want to be.

You own Incredible sounding speakers,setup with the right support gear ,they will sing.

Dan

dorokusai

NAD...bright? That's utterly ridiculous. I just love this term and it's loose application to unfavorable gear.

Just trade all your speakers and gear in, and buy a horse.

hamzahsh

I'm disagree with mantis! NAD is bright! :rolleyes: no way! NAD makes one of the best AMPs and they are actually warmer sounding and sweet for music and great for movies too. The price is a steal for what they sell at. They mate perfect with Polks. I'm using NAD C272 and its unbelievable. Sweet sounding AMP!

pmckeealaska

In response to questions about my setup...here it goes.

First off, I'm in a small (450 sq. ft.) log cabin and the main room is obviously too small for my speakers. Not much I can do about that until the summer is over and I move into a larger home. So, nothing to be done about the room situation. Again, I have a pair of LSi 25's hooked up to a NAD T63 A/V reciever. The speaker cables are Monster Z-series cables with monster subwoofer cables attached to the subs. and reciever. I don't remember the model of my DVD/SACD player but it is a Sony and I'm pretty happy with it. I would like to have an HT setup some time, but, given the size of my room, I think improving the volume and clarity of my music is more important to me at this point. It seems as if the people on the forum are split down the middle with respect to NAD products, so I can only speak about my own experience with this gear, and I must say, the reciever I got blows away any that I have heard hooked up to the 25's in stores, except for maybe a $3500 one I heard once, and I'm not willing to spend that kind of coin. For $700 it seems as if the NAD C272 would be a good starting point. Any thoughts??

VR3

Eh...

I'ma have to go with Mantis on this one, my NAD preamp is probally one of the brightest pieces in my system. Thank god is has a sibilance filter button on it or I might be deaf by now. - Or maybe my Pioneer Elite was so non-detailed, the NAD is so detailed that it is like a piercing sound??? @_@

Hehe...I forgot, I like my NAD preamp. Very nice sounding piece of gear...a lil bit out-dated, but eh...pickers cant be choosers.

Seperate amp makes all the difference...

Amp is all about the power supply...2 channel amp...seperate power supply driving the channels

Receiver....power supply driving the pre section, tuner section, amp section, and any other fancy gizmo in the thing.

If you listen to mostly music...get the amp

if you do movies....HT setup

dorokusai

"Sibilance Filter?" OMG :rolleyes:

VR3

Thats what it is called...

Tames the highs just a lil bit...

This NAD is full of weird names..

Instead of Inputs or Sources - it is called Listening

Direct or Bypass is called Tone Defeat

A bunch of funky names.

Do you want me to take you a blurry picture oh All Knowing Audio God Mark?