What do you run your LSi's with?

McLoki

For those of you with LSi speakers, what amp and pre-amp (or AVR) do you run your LSi's with? Also, how do you like the sound? (would you upgrade the amp or pre-amp if you could? Have you heard LSi's sound better than they do at your place?)

Still searching for the perfect Pre-Amp.....

Michael

BTW - I use a Cinepro 3k6 amplifier that I am VERY happy with. I also have an Onkyo 777 AVR that I am very UNhappy with.

I don't get out much, but I have heard my LSi's run with a Rotel 1066 and they sounded as good as I have heard from any system (for movies). It did underscore for me how bad my Onkyo sounds though.....

wingnut4772

I have a Sherwood Newcastle P-965 with an Earthquake Cinenova amplifier. sounds pretty darn sweet. I have not heard them sound better but I have only heard LSI set ups in Tweeter showrooms to be fair. I have previously had them hooked up to an Onkyo 701 receiver, Outlaw 7100 amp and 950 pre, and an Outlaw 770 with the Sherwood P-965.

cmy330go

I run the LSi15s in my HT system with a Parasound Halo A23. All other are currently running off of my Yamaha RX-V2500 AVR.

The LSi9s in my 2ch rig are powered by a Sound Quest SQ-88 Tube integrated.

I am very happy with the sound of both amps. Ultimately I would love to have my HT system also powered by tubes but that is just not practical. Personally I have never heard the LSis sound better than they do in my rig, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I just haven't heard them many other places.

Dave

polkatese

I have:

B&K Reference 50 S2, paired with Gemstone Audio (7 channels @ 400 watts, 4 ohms)

Very happy with the combo.

Edit: Gemstone Blue Diamond to be precise.

2+2

Preamps/receivers as prepro:
Rotel 1068 = extremely detailed and airy..makes the 15s notably brighter than other set ups
Marantz 8400= very close to 1068..not as airy..loss of some detail highs and some low but impressive
HK230= love/hate...warm sound can make some recordings heavenly...but can make others absolutely unlistenable

Amps tried:
Rotel 1080 = nice iron grip of the woofer...slightly smoother highs than the 1075.
Rotel 1075 = very detailed highs but does not handle woofer well at all (better bi-amped but still not enough-I was disappointed)
HK5800 = Pretty good, impressed at HK...better woofer control than the 1075

Receivers running LSi direct:
Marantz 8400 = pretty nice but does not handle woofer well
HK230 = decent control but not enough power at decent volume

Other setups heard:
B&K AVR###= Very nice
Denon AVR 3804(?) =ehh just OK

michael_w

I just use a nad c352 integrated amp with my 7's. Next upgrade will be a new preamp and then I'll just use the integrated for its amp.

I love the combo but I'm sure they could sound better with some decent componnents.

mantis

edit

mantis

I used Rotel seperates 2 channel then went with a B&K receiver
Tried a Denon avr3801 but it clipped out at high volumes and sounded dull

Dan

Frank Z

Anthem AVM-20 pre-amp and an Outlaw 7100 7 channel amp (165WPC-all channels driven)

No urge to upgrade at this point, amazed everytime I fire up my gear.

Tried an Amthem 5 channel amp for a couple of weeks, not to impressed...no depth to speak of. Had JRausch over a few times with a couple of different amps (Parasound and Monster) ......still have my Outlaw.

*Seby*-Polk-

I test this speakers with a new Yamaha RX-V2600 and sounds fantastic. For music and movies. Incredible quality. Try it !!!!

pjdami

Had a Yamaha RXV-1300 sold it for a Rotel 1055 receiver; sold the Rotel for a B&K AVR 307; upgraded the B&K AVR 307 to a 317. Same configuration for over a year and a half now. Very happy with this setup. I have a B&K EX4420 reference amp I put in for two channel sometimes but I really don't need it because I don't listen that loud. I find the receiver's amps to be very close in sound quality.

dorokusai

Nike, but they are sized small....Avia if at all possible.

McLoki

dorokusai wrote:

Nike, but they are sized small....Avia if at all possible.

Reebok for a shoe that fits. (although if a wide width is what you are after, new balance seems to have the best (and most available) selection)

Michael (8-1/2 EEE)

McLoki

Just for the record, my top running pre-amps right now would be an Integra Research RDC-7, Rotel 1068, Outlaw 990 and Classe ssp 30.

I think the Rotel and the Outlaw would sound great with my LSi's, but I like the Integra Research and Classe just because it is something a little different. (I am just like that....) Only problem is that I have to purchase them used and have not heard either one......

It is a very interesting thread, thank you everyone and please keep the comments coming....

Michael

Midnite Mick

I run my lsi15's with Sherwood Newcastle p965 (processor) and 2 Nuforce reference 9.02 monoblocks. I LOVE THESE AMPS--not even close to being broken in with only approx. 10hrs. on them and sounds great. I can't wait to demo the nuforce p8 (2 channel preamp with pass through) when my dealer gets one for himself. The sound is already very full and dynamic and I think the p8 will only increase that (as you can tell I like a full dynamic sound).

scottyf

I don't know if this helps as I am 2-channel only, but my Alta Vista - modified Counterpoint equipment really make my LSi15s sing! If you are at the $4.5k price point, you definitely should check out the Aria amps (new production of my modified Counterpoint). Mike Elliott will let you audition them at home for two weeks and offers a lifetime, transferable warranty on them.

And, no, I am not looking to upgrade my amp or preamp ever. I've found the perfect equipment! (Well....unless I were to win the lottery....then I would at least audition some other equipment....but it would have to be absolutely amazing to top these puppies!)


http://www.altavistaaudio.com
http://www.ariaaudio.com/

unc2701

Things I've used on my LSI25's in my own house (That i can remember right now)...

Amps:
Bryston 4b, 9b, 14b
Adcom 545 ,555, 565 monoblocks, 585 LE
Yamaha AVR, Onkyo AVR

Preamps:
Dodd ELP, Bryston BP25, Adcom 565, B&K ref 50, Yamaha AVR

For two channel it's a tossup on the BP25 and the ELP. The bryston is very solid state, but so clean it's frightening. You could hear stuff that you never knew was there... almost too clinical. If you've got a weak spot in your system, the bryston's will show it. The ELP is much warmer, but still has plenty of punch and detail.

For pre-pro duty, the Ref 50 worked great... I borrowed it from my bro' while he was between houses and I hated to give it back. I'm running my HT off the yamaha pre-outs at the moment- I'm buying a new house with a dedicated room & I'll probably go to a Anthem AVM 20/30 at that point.

Amps. The 14b wins, no problem... I might buy one sooner or later. I would be happy running my system entirely off the 9b, even though it's only 120 watts into 8 ohm (of course any other company would call it 200 watts). The 565's were great and total beasts when it came to power. The 585 kinda sucked. Good idea, but too much amp in one chassis- it always ran hot and never sounded as good as the monoblocks. 555 is solid, and is great on a smaller budget. 545 wasn't as impressive- i felt like it was compressing in places.

So, I ended up using the 4b SST for my 25's price-to-return this is what I'm happiest with.

ohskigod

Carver 4.0T amp with my LSi9's they take the power well (500 to 4 ohms) as long as I'm not a complete idiot with the volume knob

doug lang

Sunfire with Sunfire A great combo.

Toxis

I have the Denon 3805 as pre and the Myryad MA-500 as my amp. Absolutely amazing. Love the sound on movies and music. I did have an older Rotel 2ch (RB-980) running the 9's but upgrading to the Myryad (even though I dropped from 220w to 150w) definitely was a HUGE gain in headroom and overall power. Gotta love a huge power supply!

LuSh

I've tried a number of intergrateds. I'm trying to keep my system as simple as possible, if I could find a one box solution that equaled or bettered my Museatex stuff, I'd be all over it.

The intergrateds include NAD320BEE, SimAudio Moon I-5080 and my current Krell 400xi.

The NAD was a barrel of fun. I usually throw out all the spec's when listening to amps because of this tiny 50wpc intergrated. It has alot of drive and balls. It was fun. Truely one of the best buy's in Audio.

The SimAudio i-5080 was rated at 80wpc but seemed slower and less dynamic then the tiny NAD. It was perhaps more refined. On some music it really thrived ala Radiohead, Massive Attack and well recorded Jazz. It was during playback of some of my favorites like Zeppelin, Gun's N Roses, Chemical Brothers were if the music got complicated things began to fall apart. My system at this point was quite warm, the Kimber 8TC, with Harmonic Tech Prosilway's and warm source made for a thick sound that was nice, but not nearly dynamic enough. While I don't blame the intergrated entirely I think it had a large part in not producing the dynamic's I required during complicated passages.

The Krell 400xi was a very different amp, it was quick, unforgiving and dynamic. It was just before I made the amp switch that I changed out the speaker wires. The Audience Maestro's are more musical but not as warm as the Kimber's. The system was starting to lean to more of a neutral side already, the Krell just hammered it home. Saving you from looking at spec's (I really don't think they tell the truth anymore or near the truth that once existed) I'd say the LSi speakers really require a dynamic, powerfull amp.

I thought this question would have been much easier to answer but the more I think about it, it really is more about system synergy. I'd say past the $2k mark on intergrateds and cdp's you're at a level where everything counts right down to isolation and wiring. If my source was more about pace and not worried about sounding as analogue as mine is; perhaps a Sony ES, Wadia or Naim CD3 would work quite nicely with a SimAudio or Copland. With a more dynamic amp I'd recommend the Krell 400xi with the one caveat that the source is as high or higher quality then the rest of your gear.

While I was agonizing what to do with my system I had considered two directions. Keep the LSi's and go for a Jeff Rowland Concentra, or the Krell. The flip side would have been to rid myself of the LSi's and go with a tube friendly speakers (Reference 3a) and get a VAC Avatar Super. Reflecting back I could have even done something crazier and changed my souce, kept the LSi's and get the VAC. Regardless, I'm not sure if I've helped much but I've been most happy with the Krell. Provided the souce is of quality and wiring is fairly neutral. I might again switch out the Audience Maestro's in favor of Harmonic Technology Pro 9+.

LessisNevermore

For now, Denon 2802, sounds great, but it does have it's choke point. Next year I hope to start my quest for a decent MC amp.

seo

McLoki wrote:

Reebok for a shoe that fits. (although if a wide width is what you are after, new balance seems to have the best (and most available) selection)

Michael (8-1/2 EEE)

The Brooks Beast is also a good Wide Shoe

Scott 10-1/2 EEE

SuperDave

I have a Yamaha RX-V992 doing all the work right now and it does a great job for home theater and music. I have been bidding unsuccessfully on some Bryston 4B series amps on ebay, eventually I will win a auction and use it for the two channel listening or peeling paint off my neighbors walls.:)

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Fronts
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

*Seby*-Polk-

SuperDave wrote:

I have a Yamaha RX-V992 doing all the work right now and it does a great job for home theater and music. I have been bidding unsuccessfully on some Bryston 4B series amps on ebay, eventually I will win a auction and use it for the two channel listening or peeling paint off my neighbors walls.:)

SuperDave
Yamaha RX-V992
Denon DVD-1920
Sony XBR 27"
BrightHouse DVR
Polk LSi25 Fronts
Polk LSiC Center
Infinity RS1 Rears
Monster THX Cables

Yamaha receiver works great with Polk LSi series. Same level as Denon. Superior to Onkyo and Pioneer. Obvious IMHO.

Great performance with movies (really shines) and very very good for music.

mike1812

Read that a few had seen/used with B&K AVR. I'm trying to verify that my AVR307 will indeed drive 4ohm LSi speakers. Nothing in manual, and although the Polk site states "high current including. . B&K", I know that different models have different specs (i.e., maybe they are referring to the B&K amp, not the avr). Just confused and need a bit of help before plopping down $$$$ on the LSi s. Sorry to derail the thread. PM me if you prefer not to go into in this thread. Thanks in advance!

polkatese

yes, Mike. Any B&K AVR and/or Power amps will power LSi nicely. Do a search under "B&K and LSi" and you will get tons of info on these. B&K 307, 507, and 507S2 will all drive 4 ohms LSi nicely.

opus

McLoki wrote:

but I have heard my LSi's run with a Rotel 1066 and they sounded as good as I have heard from any system (for movies).....

I smile every time you say that;)

gregvet

LSi9 with Audio Research LS3-B Preamp and Edge M4 amplifier

Airplay355

Musical Fidelity A3.2 integrated. I just realized I had my speakers bi-wired. Oh well, they sound good. No need to change