how much is enough

Cwaters

so I'm using my Sony STR DB930 to push these LSi9s. It's like 100 watts X 5 @ 4 ohms There's a 4/8 ohm switch on the back(!) but my JBL surrounds are 4 ohms so the switch has always been at 4...
The receiver has pre-outs so I could add an amp at some point.
I'm not sure how that would interact with the rest of my HT rig though.

But, on to the question:
the LSi9s SAY they can handle up to like 200 watts so I'm shopping for a 200wpc amp then? Or is 150 ish better?
I'm just askin, ya know?

You guys seem to mention Adcom or Rotel a lot. What about pro/studio amps? I had a Hafler at work that I liked (just noticed it's missing) and I use Crown a lot...

thanks,
Cory
new guy here,

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd stay away from the prop amps when running something like the LSi series. Pro amps will work fine for something like a sub, but not really well for something detailed like the LSi.

Adcom is discussed alot on here. I'm personally not a big fan, they're a bit harsh for me. The LSi has a more laid back sound, so you want to look for an amp that will compliment that well.

My choice is Parasound. That's my favorite amp, at least that I'd ever be able to afford. For the LSi9, you may want to look at something like the HCA 1500A or an older model like the 1200...something along those lines.

For the dollar, I don't think it gets any better than Parasound. My only concern is that I've never heard Parasound with the LSi stuff. Parasounds are a bit laid back as well, and pairing them with the LSi should work well, but it could also be too laid back for your tastes.

There's bunches of brands out there though, so don't limit yourself. Get into a local Hi-fi store and get your demo on.

Whatever you do, get those speakers off that Sony as soon as you can...

Early B.

Whatever you do, get those speakers off that Sony as soon as you can...

Amen.

Buy as much power as you can afford. Lots of choices - Parasound, Rotel, Outlaw, Acurus, etc. Just pick one.

Cwaters

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
I'd stay away from the prop amps when running something like the LSi series. Pro amps will work fine for something like a sub, but not really well for something detailed like the LSi.

I guess this thread should have been in the amp forum...perhaps they'll move it.

Anyway,
Polkmaniac, can you elaborate on that a bit?
I mean, these are the amps they're using in recording studios and video post houses (not really talking about the super huge stadium PA amps here)... how much more detail can the LSis NEED?

Cory

danger boy

welcome Cory,

you have tons of choices in amps. also look at Carver, Rotel, B&K, NAD, Marantz... look at used. will save you tons of money. for instance my Adcom 5400 (125wpc) retails for about $700, but used will go for about half that. saving you big bucks. you could buy two amps for the price of one if you're willing to go used.

F1nut

Pro amps are a poor choice for high fidelity in the home, nothing musical about them.

They are many, many more choices in amps than the usual stuff recommended here, get out to your local hifi shop and treat yourself to the experience.

Here's a list of some amps to check out.

Audio Research
Bryston
Cary
Arcam
Conrad-Johnson
McCormack
BAT
Musical Fidelity
Krell
VAC
Moon
Manley
Pathos
Jolida
Pass Labs

It's better to have more power than less.

heiney9

+1 for Adcom

You can never have to much power/current. The Lsi's will thank you. The Sony isn't doing you any favors. Pro equip is not recc'd for home use, beyond sub duty.

Welcome and good luck

H9

ND13

What's the budget, if there is one?

Cwaters

Originally posted by ND13
What's the budget, if there is one?

Right...not so much. Used, almost certainly.

I wasn't not really hoping for a "X brand amps RULE" thread, I was really just interested in how much power to be looking for.
I respect your opinions. They're great for what they are but I have a hard time with statements like "Pro amps are not suitable for home use". Statements like that are often tossed around online with no reasoning or back-up material so they're hard to take any more seriously than a Calvin pissing on FORD sticker if you know what I mean.. No offense, honestly.
Something like "I've had a bunch of Crown, QSC, or Crest amps and honestly like my Adcoms better" comes off as more credable, to me at least.
Please don't hate me because I'm critical...

For what it's worth, I LOVED the LSi9s when I auditioned speakers a while back and they are a little flat sounding here at home...so maybe a better amp would do me good

Thanks,
Cory

ND13

Okay then, you need 200 watts.

F1nut

I gave you a reason, they ARE NOT MUSICAL!!! Now, if you don't know what that means or sounds like, then do what I suggested, go out to a good hifi shop and hear some real amps for yourself.

aaharvel

For the money I like Outlaw and Adcom.

Considering the LSI's are laid back warm speakers- I'm thinking (not knowing for sure) that neutral amps such as outlaw or Adcom would be an ideal match for the LSI.

Adcoms and RTI are a great match, this I know.
For all my buddies tell me so...

rti4's
csi3
fxi3's
fx300i's
Velo cht10

adcom 5300, 7300
h/k 235 pre

and oh yeah. 200 watts.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by F1nut
I gave you a reason, they ARE NOT MUSICAL!!! Now, if you don't know what that means or sounds like, then do what I suggested, go out to a good hifi shop and hear some real amps for yourself.

+1

The statement that pro audio amps are not suitable for home theather is not like saying Ford is better than Dodge, it's more like saying that a Focus or a Neon are not suitable for off-road or heavy towing duty.

Although some will digress, it's generally accepted that pro amps are simply not going to cut it for home audio.

I wasn't not really hoping for a "X brand amps RULE" thread, I was really just interested in how much power to be looking for.

I don't think this has turned into that...but you DID ask for opinions on the matter, in your original post:

What about pro/studio amps?

I'm not pissed that you're critical, but you can't go asking a question, and then telling people you don't want to hear their opinions when they tell you something...

ND13

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
+1

The statement that pro audio amps are not suitable for home theather is not like saying Ford is better than Dodge, it's more like saying that a Focus or a Neon are not suitable for off-road or heavy towing duty.

Although some will digress, it's generally accepted that pro amps are simply not going to cut it for home audio.



I don't think this has turned into that...but you DID ask for opinions on the matter, in your original post:



I'm not pissed that you're critical, but you can't go asking a question, and then telling people you don't want to hear their opinions when they tell you something...

+ infinity

Cwaters

Ok, Sorry if I ticked people off. I did try not to upset anybody.

I asked about the required power for these speakers and I did ask about the pro amp thing.
I just wanted to know if that was a good way to go.
F1 said "Pro amps are a poor choice for high fidelity in the home, nothing musical about them."
I read that as an off the cuff remark.
I don't want to go much farther down this path but can it really be true that all pro amps aren't "musical". Maybe it's true, I don't know. That's why I asked for more.

Anyway,
Thanks for you input. Like I said, I do appreciate your opinions.
I don't normally start off with such a rocky thread on web-forums. Lets be friendly.

Cory
the meek

aaharvel

Originally posted by Cwaters
I don't normally start off with such a rocky thread on web-forums. Lets be friendly.

Cory
the meek

I wouldn't worry about it Cory. I did the same thing when I first started on here- you aren't the first- you won't be the last. Welcome to the forum- don't be a stranger.

Spawndn72

Consider it an initiation. Welcome to the forums btw. Oh and pro-amps suck! lol

cfrizz

The LSI series deserves no less than 200 watts. Good bang for the buck amps that are meant for home speakers would be Outlaws.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html

Model 200 B-Stock (please call) B-Stock 200 Monoblock Amp $230.00

BobMcG

BTW: Not all Haflers are pro-amps so don't think you have to avoid the brand.

beardog03

I use Rotel 980`s..
they work great !

also I have a Parasound ....and I LOVE it..(thanks again Mark)

Parasound makes great 2,3, and 5 ch amps

Rotels are solid amps....

I would also look into outlaws...good bang for the buck

just my .02

Dennis Gardner

Alot of pro amps have fans for cooling. That can't be good for noise levels.

jcaut

And almost regardless of which amp you choose, you should find that it will make your LSi's sound much nicer than the Sony receiver. The lack of high current power really seems to suck the life out of them.

Jason

lomic

My 200w @ 4ohm Parasound handles my LSi9's without losing composure at any sound level I throw at them. On sources with rich percussion such as Orbital's The Box I can crank it up to reference and not be able to tell whether or not my sub is on - and yet even with such excursion the Parasound/9's don't lose any detail or clarity. Sometimes I can't believe my eyes so I close them and forget what I'm hearing is such a modest system overall

ND13

Originally posted by lomic
My 200w @ 4ohm Parasound handles my LSi9's without losing composure at any sound level I throw at them. On sources with rich percussion such as Orbital's The Box I can crank it up to reference and not be able to tell whether or not my sub is on - and yet even with such excursion the Parasound/9's don't lose any detail or clarity. Sometimes I can't believe my eyes so I close them and forget what I'm hearing is such a modest system overall

I wouldn't consider your system "modest". It may not be the best in the world, but it's not "modest", either. Be proud of what you have.

Noel

heiney9

The other thing to consider Cory, is sometimes our responses are short and to the point because soooo many questions get asked over and over and over. Which is fine, I mean, we were/are all new here at some time. So the lack of in-depth responses is simply because this question has been asked and answered many times.

Again welcome and don't be a stranger.

H9

del44

There's alot of really nice amps in the under $1000. Or used for about half that. Ebay and audiogon have some nice stuff at a decent price. The Rotel RB-1070 is a nice 2 channel amp that can be had for about $450 used. Give or take. It's got 125 wpc. The RB-1080 has 200 wpc @8 ohms. Either one will do justice to the LSI9's. Parasound and Adcom are also great bang for the buck amps.:)

shiu

Originally posted by Cwaters
so I'm using my Sony STR DB930 to push these LSi9s. It's like 100 watts X 5 @ 4 ohms There's a 4/8 ohm switch on the back(!) but my JBL surrounds are 4 ohms so the switch has always been at 4...

Sony DB/ES receivers are not as bad as some people think they are so don't expect any "huge" improvement with an amp. However, a good amp will get you improved (just not huge) sound quality in general. Until you get one, you should put the switch to the 8 ohm position. You will gain head room and dynamic punches. As long as you don't crank the volume up too high you should be fine. I used to have a Sony/Adcom combination, they worked well together.