Do I need an amp for LsiC?

jrlouie
jrlouie Posts: 462
edited August 2004 in Speakers
Here's my current setup...
325X2 power amp running Lsi15's
Onkyo TX-DS797 running LsiC, Fxi30's, Csi30

I've considered purchasing an Outlaw M200 for the center channel and using the AVR for the surrounds only. Do I really need to do this? Or do you think the AVR runs the LsiC acceptably?

In the future (probably far future), I'd like to buy a nice 7-channel power amp to run everything. I was only considering the M200 for short term if it would significantly improve the sound of the LsiC.

Let me know what you guys think. If the opinion is to buy, let me know if anyone is selling too ;)

Thanks.
Post edited by jrlouie on
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Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2004
    Yeah, give it a try. You will notice an improvement. The M200 should work pretty well.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited August 2004
    I'd try it without the extra amp ... The center and surrounds should not be a horrendous load for that AVR. You might however notice some differences in the brightness of the highs between the mains and center. You'll have to decide if that's present how big a deal it is for you.
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited August 2004
    i would do it. your mains are getting alot of power, and the LSi series is known for being power hungry. i would wager a guess that you will hear a significant difference in upgrading your center channel amplification. keep us posted if you do
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited August 2004
    I went to the Outlaw M200 on a CSi40 front center, previously with a Yamaha HTR-5660 and now with a Yamaha HTR-5790. It did seem to really make a difference in the surrounds and rear center. I bought a B-Stock M200 for $230 and free shipping, so it was a pretty reasonable improvement overall. We all have different opinions on which brands of A/V receivers are the best, so I'll stay away from that. It seems that most sub-$1000 receivers can benefit by having the significant load of the fronts and front center removed from their internal amplification requirements. The sound of the M200 seems to mate really well with my Yamaha receiver and HK PA2000 power amp for my RTi70 mains.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • jrlouie
    jrlouie Posts: 462
    edited August 2004
    Maybe I'll try it out. I'd like to, I'm just trying to justify the expenditure. I often read in these forums about b-stock equipment.
    How do you find/purchase b-stock equipment for something like the M200?
    Is it through web-pages such as Audiogon and eBay? Or is it through the manufacturer?
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited August 2004
    I have Outlaw M200 for my fronts and center and they have improved the sound clarity over my Denon 3803. Rti70 sounded bright and I stacked them up with Lsi7 and it's some much better.

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • kingtut
    kingtut Posts: 813
    edited August 2004
    malikarshad, does the CS40i sound bright with the Outlaw Amp? Dr. Spec and another member reported that the CS40i sounded bright with the Outlaw mono block amp .
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  • tecmo04
    tecmo04 Posts: 421
    edited August 2004
    noobe here with a quick question.

    i am concidering buying an amp. with the monoblock amp do i need one for each speaker? or can i run both front speakers off of the one amp?
    My Stuff
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  • PolkWannabie
    PolkWannabie Posts: 2,763
    edited August 2004
    Mono = single i.e. one channel per
    Rick
    HT+ Sunfire TG IV, Dual CG Sig II's, CinePro 1K2, Oppo 981, Audio Technica PL120, Polk SRT's & F/X1000's, Samsung 71" DLP
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  • malikarshad
    malikarshad Posts: 527
    edited August 2004
    Originally posted by kingtut
    malikarshad, does the CS40i sound bright with the Outlaw Amp? Dr. Spec and another member reported that the CS40i sounded bright with the Outlaw mono block amp .
    No it does not sound bright anymore. But when I had the Rti70 tweeter hooked it sounded bright. But I'm running highs of Lsi7's and mids of Rti70. Cis40 with M200 by itself does not sound bright at all.

    Speakers=>Salk Soundscape 8, Soundscape Center,Surrounds-Dali Rubicon LCR, Lsi7
    PreAmp, Amp => Marantz AV8801, ATI 6007 amp, Oppo HA-1 DAC
    Source => Sonore MicroRendu, Oppo BDP-103, Mede8er 600XD, Dune HD Smart D1, Synology DS1813+(16TB)
    Sub - JTR Captivator S2 (Dual 18")
    Power - Furman IT-Ref20i on dedicated 30Amp circuit with Furutech GTX-R outlet
    Screen=> JVC RS-45 projector Da-Lite HP 133" 2.35
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  • jrlouie
    jrlouie Posts: 462
    edited August 2004
    Well, I thought I'd run a quick test and hook up one of the channels on my power amp to my LsiC. The biggest difference that I noticed was the surrounds. It's like they came to life. I guess removing the strain of the LsiC from the AVR really helped out. I did also notice some clarity improvement in the LsiC. So, I went ahead and did it. I just ordered an M200. I should get it in a few days. Once hooked up and tried out, I'll let you know the results.
    Thanks for the opinions.
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