Two channel

JBlack
JBlack Posts: 27
edited January 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
I have twin LSI9s and Sony Sub. How much power should I use to drive this system?

Thanks
Post edited by JBlack on
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Comments

  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2005
    As much as you can afford. (including the money you get from selling the Sony sub)

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,551
    edited January 2005
    Is that 2 or 4 LSi9's? Are you looking for a AVR or a power amp? Any which way you go, you'll need something capable of driving a 4 ohm load.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    As much as you can afford. (including the money you get from selling the Sony sub)

    Cheers,
    Rooster

    Are you saying the more power the better. I take you feel I don't need the Sony Sub.

    Thanks
  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    Is that 2 or 4 LSi9's? Are you looking for a AVR or a power amp? Any which way you go, you'll need something capable of driving a 4 ohm load.

    Two LSI9s. Looking for AVR stereo Amp. Wouldn't that be better than my 5 channel AVR since I don't want surround sound?

    Thanks
  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    Is that 2 or 4 LSi9's? Are you looking for a AVR or a power amp? Any which way you go, you'll need something capable of driving a 4 ohm load.

    BTW, would four LSIs sound that much better then two?
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited January 2005
    Slow down hoss.

    First of all, what do you HAVE, and what can you spend in the forseable future? If you are going straight 2ch, why use an AVR at all? I would start looking at separates, or an integrated amp.

    Second, not saying the Sony doesn't do what it's supposed to at it's price point - but the LSi series is on a much higher audio plane. I see the Sony doing more harm than good.

    If you do want to use it, I'd hook it up via a low-level (rca) connection, set the crossover as low as it will go, and maybe add a little more (or replace altogther) damping inside it. As far as placement goes, somewhere between the two main speakers, with the woofer firing to either side - NOT right at you.

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2005
    As much as you can afford. (including the money you get from selling the Sony sub)
    :)

    I agree. The Sony subs are good for the money (I have two) but the Polks are in another league. I would rather run them straight than with the sony.

    Dont get an AVR for those, look for seperates or integrateds for power as Russ said.

    And four LSis aren't better for 2ch.
    Graham
  • waylyn5945
    waylyn5945 Posts: 18
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    Slow down hoss.

    First of all, what do you HAVE, and what can you spend in the forseable future? If you are going straight 2ch, why use an AVR at all? I would start looking at separates, or an integrated amp.

    Second, not saying the Sony doesn't do what it's supposed to at it's price point - but the LSi series is on a much higher audio plane. I see the Sony doing more harm than good.

    If you do want to use it, I'd hook it up via a low-level (rca) connection, set the crossover as low as it will go, and maybe add a little more (or replace altogther) damping inside it. As far as placement goes, somewhere between the two main speakers, with the woofer firing to either side - NOT right at you.

    Cheers,
    Rooster

    You can get a pretty good integrated for under $150.00. A Kenwood 9100, Yamaha CA-2010, Onkyo A-8190. :rolleyes:
    Wayno
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,551
    edited January 2005
    There is no such thing as a good integrated or any power source for under $150.00! :rolleyes:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • jdhdiggs
    jdhdiggs Posts: 4,305
    edited January 2005
    In my mind you should spend at least half of the money you spent on the speakers on the electronics to drive them. $300 on the 9's amplification and pre seems to be the bare minimum in my mind.

    Several members here always seems to have a good amp for sale, you might want to look around for good deals on pre's and amps.
    There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin
  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by waylyn5945
    You can get a pretty good integrated for under $150.00. A Kenwood 9100, Yamaha CA-2010, Onkyo A-8190. :rolleyes:

    thanks for your input. As you can see, I'm a neophyte, but want good sound and am willing to spend more than the average Joe. I'm confused. I thought an AVR is a receiver (tuner, amp, preamp). Isn't that the same as an intergrated?

    Thanks
  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by jdhdiggs
    In my mind you should spend at least half of the money you spent on the speakers on the electronics to drive them. $300 on the 9's amplification and pre seems to be the bare minimum in my mind.

    JB] When you say amplification and pre, are you talking about separate units, or a receiver. That's what I would like to have. I currently use an Onkyo TcSR501. I wish I would have known more when I bought it, but I guess I was looking down the road for surround sound. My Onkyo only has 65 watts for each channel.

    Several members here always seems to have a good amp for sale, you might want to look around for good deals on pre's and amps.

    Thanks, I'll keep an eye out.
  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited January 2005
    An integrated is just an amp and preamp.
    I thought an AVR is a receiver (tuner, amp, preamp). Isn't that the same as an intergrated?
    Graham
  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    There is no such thing as a good integrated or any power source for under $150.00! :rolleyes:

    Actually, maybe. I picked up an open box Onkyo TX-8511 stereo reciever at CC for $100. It is rated at 100 watts X 2 into 8 ohms and is supposed to be able to drive 4 ohm speakers, which I can't verify as I don't have any to test it with. Also, it weighs more than some of Onkyo's lower tier AVRs even though they have 6 or 7 channels.

    Admittedly, this receiver is by no means high end, but it's not total crap either. Short of a NAD integrated amp, this is probably as good as it gets for inexpensive amplification for the money in a new purchase with full warranty.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,551
    edited January 2005
    We have very different ideas as to what a good power source is.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited January 2005
    Well, for $150 or less (especially new with warranty ) that could drive 4 ohm speakers, I don't have any other ideas.

    Maybe he could do better on the used market.
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited January 2005
    much better in the used market, check out www.audiogon.com or post a want to buy in the flea market here, have alittle patience and you will get a kick **** system.
  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited January 2005
    Yeah, but we're only talking about $150 here. You're not exactly going to be able get a McIntosh for that, not even used.

    Upon further thought, I seem to remember some Audiosource power amps and preamp/tuners on ubid.com pretty cheap. That might be a possibilty, but for more than $150 though.
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited January 2005
    who said he needed mcintosh? theres plenty of other used brands on audiogon, and plenty of used brands here in the forum. where did you get the $150 figure from? he said he was willing to "spend more then the average joe". seperates aren't as expensive as you seem to think.
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2005
    The original poster (JBlack) has never stated what his budget is...the $150 amount came up when someone posted that you could pick up various "vintage" stereo receivers/integrated for that amount. I agree with F1nut that anything purchased for $150 unless it is a truely mint piece of vintage gear will not get the job done....and even then I personally wouldn't waste my money unless I could see, feel, touch ect... the gear first

    I agree that the Onkyo might drive the LSI9s but again it is probably still a marginal choice. I have a Denon DRA-685 stereo receiver that can drive the them (MSRP $500 and Denon confirmed it is rated for 4 ohms). It and the Onkyo are probably similar and better than most entry level AVRs but not as good as a stereo integrated/receiver from the likes of NAD, Cambridge or Rotel. I would look there to drive the LSI9s.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited January 2005
    I just said Mac as an example of not to expect too much on that limited of a budget, even in the used market.

    I do see now where somebody else and not the original poster came up with the $150 figure though. My bad.

    I still say though that the Audiosource seperates that ubid always seem to have might be a viable option in that price range though for what he needs.

    Also, brand spankin' new HK PA-2000 power amps can be had for less than $200 shipped all day long. They are 100 watts X 2 in bridged mode, but I don't know for sure if they can handle a 4 ohm load while bridged though. Plus HK has some refurbed 2 channel receivers at a cheap price that might would work as well.
  • JBlack
    JBlack Posts: 27
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by marker
    I just said Mac as an example of not to expect too much on that limited of a budget, even in the used market.

    I do see now where somebody else and not the original poster came up with the $150 figure though. My bad.

    I still say though that the Audiosource seperates that ubid always seem to have might be a viable option in that price range though for what he needs.

    Also, brand spankin' new HK PA-2000 power amps can be had for less than $200 shipped all day long. They are 100 watts X 2 in bridged mode, but I don't know for sure if they can handle a 4 ohm load while bridged though. Plus HK has some refurbed 2 channel receivers at a cheap price that might would work as well.

    [JB] Hello Marker, and all you "Polk Folk." I just want to thank you all for taking the time to help steer me in the right direction (what ever it may be at this time:-) I thought you needed less power to push 4 ohms, which the LSI9s are. Anyway, it seems that an integrated (amp/preamp) is the way to go. I can forego the tuner I guess. I presume I should get at least 100 watts perchannel in whatever model I get. Thanks again :-) As an after thought, I wonder what the Polk engineers will do to improve upon the LSI9s, in the same size, if that's possible.
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by JBlack
    I thought you needed less power to push 4 ohms, which the LSI9s are.
    Read this thread

    http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12299
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited January 2005
    some amps you might want to look at are

    Adcom
    Rotel
    Parasound
    AMC
    Outlaw
    NAD

    and the list goes on and on.
  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by F1nut
    There is no such thing as a good integrated or any power source for under $150.00! :rolleyes:

    I got my Rotel RB-990BX for $150 :P

    Ok so it was luck and a salesman that just wanted to get rid of an older demo piece, but still. You CAN, ya just gotta look reeeeeeeeaaally hard for em!
  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2005
    I have no idea why the majority of members on this forum are obsessed with wattage ratings and power amps. The Pre-amp section of a system is much much more important. It the preamp sections of the Rotel and NAD intergrated that are the big step up from common grade.

    Wattage isn't as important as you might think.
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited January 2005
    Originally posted by LuSh
    Wattage isn't as important as you might think.
    Maybe not...but current is...
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2005
    If you could ever pry the real voltage/current figures from company's then yes. I find using my ears works best.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,551
    edited January 2005
    The better companies have no problem providing that info.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited January 2005
    The Simaudio i-3 intergrated amp retails for $2200 US and is rated at 100wpc....the SimAudio i-5 intergrated amp retails for $3000 US and is rated at 70wpc, every single person that has reviewed both items agree that the i-5 is a much much more powerfull intergrated.