HT Advice

pmckeealaska
pmckeealaska Posts: 808
edited August 2005 in Speakers
OK.....I want to get an all LSi HT setup and have a question. First off, I already own a pair of LSi25's, using a NAD T763 as a preamp and powered by a Rotel RB 1080 2 channel amp, along with a Denon DVD 2900 universal player. I am very happy with my setup for 2 channel and actually enjoy it very much for movies, but I think the time is right to get the full 5.1 ( or in my case 5.2) set up. My question is: if I'm going to get an LSiC center speaker, is it worth my while to get a seperate amp for this speaker as well? I know my NAD coould handle the load, but would having a dedicated amp for this speaker gain me anything in terms of SQ? Thanks for the help. I'm looking forward to going surround!
Music and Movie Rig

Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
LSi25 Front Speakers
LSiC Center Channel
LSiFX Surrounds
Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
NAD T763 Reciever
Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
Playstation 3 120GB Slim
Post edited by pmckeealaska on
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Comments

  • gregure
    gregure Posts: 871
    edited August 2005
    Short answer: yes. A separate, more powerful amp would give you greater detail, better bass, yada, yada, yada. The same old case for separates.
    It's just a question of budget, space, aesthetics, and if you really see the need. The NAD could power the center and the rears fine, however you could do it piece-meal and save up for a separate 3 or 5 channel amp for the rest of the speakers.
    Current System:

    Mitsubishi 30" LCD LT-3020 (for sale**)
    Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand (Rosewood)-Mains (with Audioquest Mont Blanc cables)
    CSi5-Center (for sale**)
    FXi3-surrounds (for sale**)
    Martin Logan Depth-Sub
    B&K AVR 507
    Pimare CD21-CD Player
    Denon 1815-DVD Player
    Panamax M5500-EX-Line Conditioner
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited August 2005
    Well, my receiver isn't capable of handling the 4 ohm load that your NAD is capable of but when I only had a 2ch amp running my fronts, my center just couldn't compare. Now that I have a 5ch, the center came to life just like the fronts. I'd highly recommend it!
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Frank Z
    Frank Z Posts: 5,860
    edited August 2005
    All you need and then some....

    http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/755.html
    9/11 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! (<---<<click)
    2005-06 Club Polk Football Pool Champion!! :D
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited August 2005
    I agree.

    If budget is a main issue, get a monoblock for less than $300 used and let the NAD power your rears. Separate amplification on the rears makes a difference, but not nearly to the same extent as the fronts and the center.
    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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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited August 2005
    A couple weeks ago I had ordered a Outlaw M200 mono to try out on my LSiC center. In all honesty I wasn't expecting a whole lot of improvement...and I was very careful to remember how all the packaging in the box was laid out for I was prepared to send it back after the 30 day trial.
    After 24 hours of use...that M200 is staying put!
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited August 2005
    I would get a good mono amp for your center. (there is alot of info that gets sent to that channel) and just plan on running your surrounds from the AVR. It should work really well. (of course you could just get a 3 or 5 channel amp and be done with it as well.. :) )

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited August 2005
    OK.....so any recommendations on a good thre channel amp??
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
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  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited August 2005
    sorry ...I meant three channel
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited August 2005
    I was looking for an acurus 3-channel when I purchased my Cinepro.

    Good place to look used is Audiogon or of course E-Bay

    For new amps, I am not sure - what budget are you looking at?

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • ninerbj
    ninerbj Posts: 870
    edited August 2005
    Depends on your budget...HT-3 from Odyssey Audio
    www.odysseyaudio.com
    "she had the body of Venus, with arms."
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  • pmckeealaska
    pmckeealaska Posts: 808
    edited August 2005
    No more than $1200 for a 3 channel amp would be my preferred price range
    Music and Movie Rig

    Samsung 40" HDTV 1080p
    LSi25 Front Speakers
    LSiC Center Channel
    LSiFX Surrounds
    Rotel RB 1080 2-Channel Amp
    NAD T763 Reciever
    Denon DVD 2900 Universal Player
    Audiosource 10 Band Digital Equalizer
    Audioquest CV-8 speaker cables
    Audioquest Sub-X subwoofer cables
    Audioquest King Cobra Interconnects
    Monster AVS 2000 Voltage Stabilizer
    Playstation 3 120GB Slim
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2005
    Not too many companies make 3 channels any more. I came across this just today. You can ask Sid about Adcom products since he seems to love them.

    http://www.adcom.com/amplifiers/gfa5503.htm
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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