LSI and HK new set up recomendation needed

ChicagoMike

I just bought :
Lsi9's fronts
LsiFX rears
LsiC center
PSW505 Sub

I need to get a new reciever, preamp, amp set up to support my new speakers. I have always been a Harman Kardon fan so I want to stick with HK componants. Im not a hard core audio fan but I want a great new system. At this point I dont know what will work with what which is why Im asking for HELP from the forum.

Here are the must haves... I want 2 zones so I can power and control a second room (Klipch towers in room 2). I want a resonable amount of power and dont really want to power the speakers with the reciever unless you recomend this. I listen to mostly heavy rock music FYI.

These are the 2 options Im looking at

OPTION 1
1- HK AVR 7000 (Used) or a HK AVR 630 refurbished
2- HK PA 4000 amp 4x100 @ 8ohms cant find 4 ohm amp level
3- HK PA 2000 amp 2x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level
OR
HK Signature 2.1 amp 5x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level
PLUS HK PA 2000 amp 2x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level

OPTION 2
1- HK PT 2300 pre amp or HK PT 2500 pre amp
2- HK PA 4000 amp 4x100 @ 8ohms cant find 4 ohm amp level
3- HK PA 2000 amp 2x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level
OR
HK Signature 2.1 amp 5x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level
PLUS HK PA 2000 amp 2x 100 @ 8 ohm cant find 4 ohm amp level

Here are the few questions I am trying to answer.

Shoud I go with a pre amp or a AVR reciever?
Which amps listed go with which pre amp or reciever?
Can I bridge any of these amps to get more power and which amps cannot be bridged?
Will the pre amp allow me to do the 2 zones to power the second room?

I appreciate your help. Again, Im not a hard core audio guy but I want to set up a nice system to drive my new great Lsi speakers.

Thanks for your feedback!!!!!! I learned a lot from reading all of your posts.

Early B.

I'll start. First, get a receiver. As long as it has pre-outs and the ability to do 2 zones, you're OK. Budget $400 for it used or refurbished. You can get a very nice HK for that amount of money at www.harmanaudio.com.

Forget about those amps you listed (I used to own a PA 2000) and get more powerful amps (at least 200 wpc) for your Polks if you really want to get the best possible sound out of them. Try Parasound or Outlaw.

Your Klipsch towers don't need external amplification. They'll run OK off the receiver.

2+2

Chicago Mike, I dont have experience with PA2000/4000 amps but my understanding is that bridging them is probably not a good idea as current capacity is reduced which is what LSis need. I would suggest the Signature amp or maybe PA5800 5 channel amp which sounds pretty good. PTs are also pretty hard to come by.

jdhdiggs

The 5800 does 135W at 4Ohms and sounds decent. My LSI's still like the authority of the Carver more though. If I were you, I would consider going outside your normal brand and put some big power behind your LSI's. I would use Outlaw as your baseline for future comparisons of $$$ to performance.

To me, the LSi series seems to do well with about 200W+ on each speaker. 135 does well, just seems do be missing something. Good for HT though.