THE amp for LSi15s

cbl117

********************PICTURES ADDED********************
Hey guys I'm debating on getting an external amp for my 2ch setup. I live in an apartment and I can't get the volume louder than 80-85dB from 7 feet away because of neighbors. At that volume, my AVR630 is at -28dB. Now I guess I have two questions, and the first is: Do I really need an external amp?...or is my AVR630 more than enough at these levels? If I do need an amp which would you reccommend from the list I made?

Parasound Halo a21
Parasound Halo a23
Parasound 2125
Parasound 2250
Rotel 1080
Adcom GFA-5500 (555ii)
Adcom GFA-5400 (545ii)
B&K Reference 200.2
Outlaw 2200 monoblock

cmy330go

At those levels I would say that you don't "need" an amp, but it still wouldn't hurt. You should still notice an increase in sound quality.

I personally have experience with Halo and Adcom amps on LSi's and prefer the Halos. Very powerful and refined for the money.

If you haven't already I would recommend doing a search here on the forums. This subject has been addressed many times, and you should be able to find a number of other suggestions.

Dave

gregure

I can certainly attest to the quality of B&K, I think they make great amps, and I've had nothing but good things to say about the 507 receiver, of which I am a proud owner. That said, I've also read a lot of tremendously good things about the Halo A21 from Parasound. Detail, power, refinement and good looks combine to make a great amp at an affordable price. While I think very highly of B&K, I'd have to rank Parasound at #1, B&K at #2, and Outlaw last. Outlaw are also great for the price, but every professional review I've seen speaks of Outlaw as being a bit too forward with the mid-range, and not as detailed as other amps. Personally, if you're looking at spending the full price for a Halo A21, give a listen to the A30.2 from Primare as well. At the same price as the Parasound, it's sleeker, smaller and tremendously musical. A great amp in the $2k price bracket that offers 200 watts at 4 ohms, with supreme current, detail and musicality. It's also a tad on the dark side, which I think would mate perfectly with the Lsi speaker. Honestly, in that price range I don't think you can beat it. Have a listen at a local dealer if available, you won't regret it.

cbl117

Thanks for the replys. I'm thinking about going with the Halo A23. I'm trying to stay under $700 as much as possible, so I'll look for one used. Is audiogon and ebay the best places to look?

cbl117

I can't make up my mind!

Does anyone know good used prices for the amps I listed above? I don't think I'll be able to try them all out, and I'm having trouble deciding which will work best with my rig. I really like the sound of HK and polk together, but also want to open up the LSis and make them more dynamic. Any help will be greatly appreciated.:)

cmy330go

Someone around here has a price guide for used gear. So hopefully they will chime in.

However I will usually search eBay or audiogon for completed auctions of the models I'm interested in. That should get you started.

*Seby*-Polk-

Buy a Yamaha amp or receiver. Works great with LSI series. Same as Denon. Try and listen togheter :cool:

cbl117

*Seby*-Polk- wrote:

Buy a Yamaha amp or receiver. Works great with LSI series. Same as Denon. Try and listen togheter :cool:

I already have a HK reciever, I'm looking for power amps. :cool:

Ferres

If you can find a pair of 2nd hand Parasound 1200II's and use them in monoblock/bi-wire config, I imagine they'll work great. This will be like throwing close to 400watts at them.

mantis

I'm also going to back B&K here. The Ref200.2 is an incredible amp. Very powerful, very musical and very dynamic.

My next choice would be the Rotel Rb1080. Again like the B&K it's a killer amp. More then enough power and high quality at a great price. The Rotel will have the highest value to performance ratio out of all your amp choices.


Dan

dorokusai

I don't agree with the Rotel comment from Dan, but you asked for opinions.

If your budget is roughly $700, it drops a couple of those off your list right away....Parasound HC2250 & Halo A21. I don't think any of those amplifiers are bad choices, but I would have a preference for Parasound. There are other models that you are overlooking in that brand, one of which was mentioned earlier, the HCA1200 MKII.

*Seby*-Polk-

cbl117 wrote:

I already have a HK reciever, I'm looking for power amps. :cool:

Ohhh .. yes Then, my recommendation is ROTEL power amps. Those "boxes" have a really great (and clean) power/sound. Fantastic :cool:

Airplay355

The parasound halo amps are very nice. I think you'd be quite happy with one of those.

Mazeroth

I'd stick with your HK and save your money until your situation allows for some serious volume

pjdami

A trusted member selling his Halo A23 on the Flea Market. Check it out.

I had a Halo A23 and also own a B&K EX4420 (ref amp prior to the 200.2). After extensive listening I chose to keep the B&K. Both are spectacular amps for the money on the used market. Came down to personal preference. I found the B&K to be a little more laid back / relaxed sounding but it was a tough choice.

tdeluce

cbl117 wrote:

Hey guys I'm debating on getting an external amp for my 2ch setup. I live in an apartment and I can't get the volume louder than 80-85dB from 7 feet away because of neighbors. At that volume, my AVR630 is at -28dB. Now I guess I have two questions, and the first is: Do I really need an external amp?...or is my AVR630 more than enough at these levels? If I do need an amp which would you reccommend from the list I made?

Parasound Halo a21
Parasound Halo a23
Parasound 2125
Parasound 2250
Rotel 1080
Adcom GFA-5500 (555ii)
Adcom GFA-5400 (545ii)
B&K Reference 200.2
Outlaw 2200 monoblock

If you want a 3 channel amp for your LCRs that you can continue to enjoy
when you upgrade to a big house, check out the Cinenova Grande 3 - capable
of supplying 1000 watts per channel when your LSi15s dip to 2 ohms... It is also
capable of a measely 600 watts into each of your LSi15s at 4 ohms...
Music is extraordinarily detailed and Movies will rock your world.

On the other hand if you get the Outlaw M2200 Monoblocks now you could
move them to your surrounds later if you buy a house...

dorokusai

The Earthquake isn't exactly near his stated budget, although not a bad idea in regards to being 3CH. Hopefully their amplifiers sound better than their subwoofers.

tdeluce

dorokusai wrote:

The Earthquake isn't exactly near his stated budget, although not a bad idea in regards to being 3CH. Hopefully their amplifiers sound better than their subwoofers.

You can the 3 channel Cinenova Grande 3 for $1399 from
www.federalstereo.com and it literally smokes the Outlaw
M2200s which I do own and is significantly better than any
of the other amps on his list that I have heard.

Personally, I would invest a little more now so that I would not have
to upgrade again in the future...

For his current listening situation and listening levels I am sure
any of the amps on his list would work well...

If you want a great sub go with Veloedyne or at least HSU or
SVS...

dorokusai

Is it an authorized dealer?

tdeluce

dorokusai wrote:

Is it an authorized dealer?

Yes...

Earthquake Sound provides 5 year warranty when purchased
from Federal Stereo - that's where I go mine and I checked with
them before I bought it...

dorokusai

Cool.

reeltrouble1

What a bunch of crap, you say under 700 and you get 1300. **** why not just go get some silver 9t's like I have then which will blow the crap out of some Cineova?? I just love gear bashers now dont you. Oh, but yea, the Carvers are going to cost you two grand for three of them. Or maybe some Parasound JC mono, but those are like 4 grand each but will beat the Carvers. Of course why you would want a 3 channel amp for a 2 channel set is beyond my meager brain.

Yes, you need an amp to answer your question, which one?

Go with hardcore, Parasound or B&K. The Parasound in the FM is well under 700 and the seller is well respected here. Besides that I would go with Audiogon.

RT1

cmy330go

RT1 is right. I would heavily consider the Halo in the FM, or start scanning Audiogon and maybe eBay.

dorokusai

Relax, it's just a opinion. At least he took the time to offer more information, as opposed to dropping some real $2-4K bombs on this idea like some other folks, historically.

It's just typical CP fashion anyways, so hope you plan on ranting against more threads RT1.

reeltrouble1

Change my S'N to the RANTER!!! But going to limit myself to just one per day, that should be easy enough.

Well might as well start with suggesting gear that is within the stated budget not double (nothing personal their tdeulce), heck, you could of suggested he hunt up a BBQ somewhere!!! (But you didn't now did you). I not bashing the gear its just not what the man asked about now is it.

Rock on.

RT1

dorokusai

That was what I hope was tactfully addressed in a previous thread...staying within stated prospective budget and yet complimenting the idea given by the new post.

A kinder, gentler doro....

tdeluce

reeltrouble1 wrote:

What a bunch of crap, you say under 700 and you get 1300. **** why not just go get some silver 9t's like I have then which will blow the crap out of some Cineova?? I just love gear bashers now dont you. Oh, but yea, the Carvers are going to cost you two grand for three of them. Or maybe some Parasound JC mono, but those are like 4 grand each but will beat the Carvers. Of course why you would want a 3 channel amp for a 2 channel set is beyond my meager brain.

Yes, you need an amp to answer your question, which one?

Go with hardcore, Parasound or B&K. The Parasound in the FM is well under 700 and the seller is well respected here. Besides that I would go with Audiogon.

RT1

Yes, I did miss the fact that it was solely for stereo.

But why don't you take the stick out of your a$$? LOL. You would think
someone shot somebody. The original poster can decide whether or not
he would pay $1300 for an AMP - he said he would *like* to keep it under
$700 and that did not sound like a final decison to me..

What makes you think the silver 9ts will blow the crap out of the cinenova
grande 3? Have you heard both of them with the same material? Or are you
dribbling?

cbl117

Thanks for all the replies. I sent a PM about the A23. Thats a great price for the a23. I hope it works out.

pjdami

cbl117 wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. I sent a PM about the A23. Thats a great price for the a23. I hope it works out.

Roger that. At $470 shipped it will be very hard to beat at that price. Good luck in getting it and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It is one heck of an amp and the 200 watts into 4 ohms will make the LSi very happy.

reeltrouble1

dorokusai wrote:

A kinder, gentler doro....

Doro--You sir, are a gentleman and destined for more great things.

CBL117--If you get that amp for that price you are going to be quite happy, if your not I will buy it from you, but I bet I never see it.

We should have an hour where we all hold virtual hands, sing Kum-ba-ya, and turn towards Mooseheart blessing the children there. Really we should.

I just dont tell a guy to buy some amp that is twice the cost of what he is looking for and does not even meet the criteria just because I own one. I own lots of things. Not to mention their is a CLUB MEMBER selling a great amp that fits the bill exactly, at an excellent Club Deal Price, I mean why help out two Club Members when you can buy something from an internet site. I mean, it still is a Club, have I at least got that right? I wont even address the mono Silver 9t vs. 3 ch Cineova because its ridiculous.

Ok, I will try the kinder gentler thing but dont expect tooooo much!!!! I am much better at old and grumpy!!!!

RT1

cbl117

RT1 thanks for steering me in the right direction. I bought the A23 in the FM. I'll be sure to let everyone know what I think about the new setup.:D