what amp

pdwagner
pdwagner Posts: 16
edited October 2004 in Electronics
My AVR is only rated to 6 ohms. Should I add a 7 channel amp to drive my speakers?

Does anyone have opinions on any of the following?

Aragon 200.7
Arcam FMJ P7
Lexicon CX7
Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
LSi15 front (bi-wired)
LSi7 rear surround
LSiFX Surround
LSiC Center
LSiW Sub
Post edited by pdwagner on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2004
    Are you having problems with your current setup?
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited September 2004
    I'd say yes you need to add a seperate amp or jump into seperates completely. My -37tx wasn't able to power my Lsi's well at all and it ran very hot also.
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited September 2004
    I am not experiencing problems with my current set up. Just concerned that I may blow my AVR since it is not rated at 4 ohms.

    I also don't know if adding an amp would improve the sound quality further.

    I don't understand the significance of matching this particular rating.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited September 2004
    "Polk" Paul DiComo to the rescue!!
    This article should help explain things for you.

    Using our water pipe analogy, increasing the pipe diameter (lowering the impedance) increases the water flow (current) but causes the water pump (amplifier) to work harder to maintain the desired amount of water pressure (voltage).
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited September 2004
    Thanks that article is a big help.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited September 2004
    Could you benefit from a higher current amp? Probably.

    Do you need one? If you are not driving your PE into protection mode, no.

    Plus there are other options to an outboard multichannel amp to consider, e.g., a sub will lighten the load, ditto for an outboard 2 ch amp.

    It's be a shame to have laid all the coin out for your AVR only to reduce to a Pre-Pro role...
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • nemos2
    nemos2 Posts: 111
    edited September 2004
    I have to agree with tour here....

    Do you need an outboard amp? maybe not, but It was my expirence that adding an amp really opened up my LSi15's..... I would say that the biggest improvement that I had was in the bass.

    Maybe look at an outlaw monoblock for your 15's?
    Polk LSi 15 Fronts
    Polk LSi C center
    Polk LSiFX Surrounds
    Outlaw Audio 990 Pre/Pro
    Outlaw Audio 755 amp
    Paradigm PDR-12 Sub
    Outlaw Audio Cables
    BetterCables Cables
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by nemos2
    I have to agree with tour here....
    Obviously a very wise individual here... ;)
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited September 2004
    Thanks for the feedback.

    I agree it would be a shame to have wasted the money on the AVR. I could move it to a different house and get separates.....Needless to say I am now thoroughly confused.

    What is the difference between bi-amp and bi-wire? I bi-amped my Lsi15 fronts but noticed I can only select bi-amp if not set up for THX. Also if I select bi-amp I cannot use the rear surround speakers. Is this normal?

    Thanks again
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited September 2004
    Originally posted by pdwagner
    I could move it to a different house and get separates.....
    One of the more extreme steps I've seen considered...
    Needless to say I am now thoroughly confused.
    Our job is done.... high fives and let's move on, troops...

    Bi-wire = two parallel speaker wire runs per channel. Both runs start at the same pair of posts on the amp, but terminate at the two different post pairs on the same speaker (jumpers removed).

    Bi-amp = Pre-amp output is split and sent to two different amp channel. One amp channel output is wired to one pair of speaker posts: the other to the other pair of posts on the same speaker. Again, jumpers removed.

    For more bi-wiring info and pretty drawings, gohere...

    For bi-wire and bi-amp info go here.

    Hope this helps...

    (Didn't really think we were going to leave you, did you? ;) )
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited September 2004
    Thanks again for all the help. Basd on the article I now know I have bi-wired my LSi15s.

    Based on the responses it sounds as though I should add an amp for the 15s.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited September 2004
    On behalf of all, you're welcome...

    Your 15's would likely benefit from a little more horsepower, but no hurry. Enjoy what you have.

    Did you notice any change when you bi-wired?
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited September 2004
    I do notice more bass but I was also making other adjustments to my LSiW and cannot determine if one or both are improved. I tend to think both. I have not had a great deal of time to evaluate since I have been traveling. Hopefully this weekend I can give them a workout.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • pdwagner
    pdwagner Posts: 16
    edited October 2004
    Well after listening to my system this weekend I have to conclude that bi-wiring the LSi15's definately made for more distinct highs and lows. The bass is more pronounced and the LSiW is also working well. I now agree with the reviews I've read, the sub does work effortlessly.

    I am anxious to see how it performs with an amp, however, I will take Tour's advice and enjoy what I have for now.

    Thanks again for your patience and for educating me.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi receiver
    Pioneer Elite DV-47Ai
    LSi15 front (bi-wired)
    LSi7 rear surround
    LSiFX Surround
    LSiC Center
    LSiW Sub
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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited October 2004
    No problem. Glad to hear the bi-wiring is doing it for you.

    Yup, take your time as you're likely in this hobby/ obsession for the long haul.

    And thanks for the thanks.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter