home theater

Mike Riordan

Based on my budget and some great advice from this site, I am buying an Outlaw RR2150 receiver to match up with some Lsi 9s. I had originally inquired about putting together a surround system with the Lsi 9s and everyone seemed to think if music was important to me, I should go the 2 channel route and maybe just buy a seperate surround system. I am now going to buy a surround system and I was wondering if it would make more sense to put together my own system piece by piece or just buy a ready made system in a box. I have budgeted roughly between 400 - 600 for a DVD player for the Outlaw and Lsi 9s and this could be used for the surround. I want the surround but I don't want to pay more than $1,200. I know this is not a huge amount but does anyone have any thoughts regarding buying a receiver and speakers vs getting just buying the system in a box. I know nothing and would love any advice.. What system would you buy or what combination of speakers. I know I am not talking a lot of money for the surround. Thanks in advance.

adam2434

You'll do better buying separate components vs. a HTIB.

Staying with Polks, here's an option for around $1200:

Front L/R and Surround L/R - 2 pair of Polk Monitor 30 = $400
Center - Polk CS1 = $200
Sub - Bic Acoustech H100 or Athena AS-P6000 = $250

That leaves around $350 for a receiver. You could stretch that $350 a little further if you're willing to consider a refurb from ubid.com or harmanaudio.com. I'd consider Harman Kardon, Denon, Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Onkyo, and Yamaha.

You'll probably need some stands, wall mounts, and cables too, which would run you a couple hundred more. You might me able to cover most of that if you find good deals on the Polks.

Are you going to have the 2-ch and HT system in the same room? If so, I'm thinking that, with careful gear selection, there is a better way to do this than having 2 separate systems - maybe more of a build it over time approach.

Totally different subject - looking at your name, did you go to UD?

Zen Dragon

Mike Riordan wrote:

I have budgeted roughly between 400 - 600 for a DVD player for the Outlaw and Lsi 9s and this could be used for the surround. QUOTE]

Mike:
This part of your post seems to suggest you may have 2 systems in the same room. Most systems with a surround processor have an option for you to listen to it in 2 ch. mode. It is not necessary to have a separate 2 ch system and a surround system. You can get some good pre-amplifiers with surround capability that allows the surround functions to be shut off for 2 channel listening.
If you are going to be in separate rooms that is a different story.
If in separate rooms, what you choose for a surround system is completely dependant on what your goals are for the surround system. ie. Will it be used for movie watching only? Do you want the ground to shake during intense scenes?

peteran

If initially you requested info for a 2 channel system, then stick with the RR2150 and LSi9's
If you had a change of heart and want a complete surround system and $1200.00 is all you can spent, need to go a different route.
You will get a better sound with sepatates than HTIB.
If you are looking for Polks check the RTi series, they are pretty decent.

Zen Dragon

Another way to accomplish this is to buy a home theater receiver that has pre-amp out capability. This means it has jacks that send the signal out unamplified which can then be sent to a separate amplifier. This is how I have my system set-up and I have seen some other members with similiar set-ups.
When I want to listen to 2 ch. I turn all surround effects off my main amplifier runs my main speakers. If I am listening to a movie and want surround, I turn on one of the surround modes. Now my mains are still driven through the pre-amp out and my amplifier, but the reciver is providing the signal and amplification to drive my rear channels, and center channel. If you use a sub, that is generally receiving a signal in 2 channel and surround modes unless you choose to disable the sub input or turn the sub off.

Mike Riordan

I am doing this all in the same room. I have not purchased anything yet but I really liked the Lsi 9s that I listened to in a store and advice from this site kind of pushed me towards the 2 channel approach which in turn led me to the Outlaw receiver. Music is my number one preference but I do want the surround. I have purchased nothing yet but would like to keep the total cost between $2,500 and $3,000. With that in mind what would you recommend and I don't have to get the lsi 9s if there is something out there that is in that price range that sounds better. I really appreciate all the help and once again the list of individual actual component recommendations if very helpful.

EricT43

You could probably do 5.1 with that budget.

LSi9 mains $700
LSiC center $400
LSi7 rear $400 used
Sub $400
Used 5-ch amp $700
Denon 2805 $550
http://cgi.ebay.com/Denon-AVR-2805-7-1-channel-Receiver-Sealed-Box_W0QQitemZ5877445128QQcategoryZ39793QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Total: $3150, you could go used on the receiver to get it under $3k.

mldennison

mike,
the above suggestion is a good one. one way to get cost down in the above configuration would be to go with a 2-3 channel external amp ($300-400 used) and use the receiver to power the back channels.

some models to look at would be:
subs - svs (a little pricy for your budget), HSU, Velodyne
amplifiers - adcom, parasound, rotel

kingsqueak

Go piece by piece, since you have LSi9's, I would agree to go with LSiC to match your 9's, add a receiver and a sub as a start. 3.1 is a decent start.

To save money, I would point you to a Denon or Harman Kardon receiver to use as a pre-pro and as mentioned a used 5 channel amp as with LSi's you need a serious amp to handle the 4ohm load properly.

Or maybe call Outlaw and see if they'll make a deal with you to swap your 2ch for one of their HT setups.

EricT43

Another option would be to use a B&K receiver, which can handle 4-ohm loads quite well, from what I've read. Not sure what the pricing is on those.

peteran

If you did or didn't buy the RR2150, consider swapping for the 970/7125 combo for $1600.00 and doesn't leave much for anything else.
If you really like the Lsi9's and want surround, you have to get the Lsi for center and a cheaper line for surrounds.
You can always get a Decent mid-range AVR from, Denon, Onkyo,HK, yamaha and get a 3channel amp for the fronts and have the rear speakers powered by the AVR.

wingnut4772

This is way under the budget that you stated but.....I just put together an HT system (5.1) for my parents with a HSU Ventriloquist speaker system and a used Pioneer 5.1 receiver and it sounded incredible. I was very impressed with the system for the money for movies. Compared to my sytem I was finding it hard to believe it was just a mere fraction of the cost.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Here's what I'd recommend with your budget, Audiogon links to current ads for most items...

LSi9 mains $650
LSiC - $400
SVS 16-46PCi $650
Parasound HCA 1205A 5 channel amp - $600
Denon 2805 - $600
R15 rear speakers - $80 - yes these are super cheap but your rear speakers don't have to be all that great, you could always upgrade later - and these are actually great speakers worth their price several times over...

Comes in right at under $3K, little more after shipping I'm sure...

That's if you're set on the LSi9. Personally I like the LSi7 better and would recommend that over the 9, but that's your decision...

adam2434

Great suggestions above.

If you don't want to go used, another option for the preamp/processor and amp are these new products from AV123.com:
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=30.1
$1100 for that new combo seems to be a killer deal, although they're not available yet, so there isn't feedback on them yet.

Depending on your room size and how much bass you want for HT, you might be OK with a sub in the $400-450 range, like the SVS PB-10 or Hsu STF-2.