Lsi9's

PolkFan1

I am thinking about purchasing some lsi9's over my current rti8's for music because these 8's seem too bright and have too much gain on the high end. Just seems as though they sound too unrealistic sounding. I was using a HK3480.

Now I cannot hear any lsi9's around where I live so I am relying on you people to help me make the right choice. I am sure these will do fine for 2 channel music from all the reviews I have read. Sooo...I am sure a harman Kardon 3480 reciever won't be good enough so I was thinking of getting a amp an pre amp...which one I have no clue and I need some recommendation.

ben62670

You should love the 9's over your RTi's. An amp is definitely in order to get real good sound. I would keep your 3840 as a pre. My HK served me very well as a pre. Look on www.Audiogon.com for an adcom GFA-555. There are a couple there right now at good prices. Also check Ebay. They can be had for under $350 all day long.
Enjoy
Ben

PolkFan1

I knew someone would say gfa-555. Some people said I should switch the HK for a pre amp. Does it really make a difference? The HK is a 2 channel amp anyways and not a a/v receiver. So it shouldn't be too bad?

It seems as though that Adcom is real popular and has lots of power? What is it...300 watts x 2 into the 4 ohm lsi9's?

engtaz

I love my Denon 4802 over 100 watts per channel but I now run external amps and what a difference it makes.

PolkFan1

Is it more fuller sounding or just louder?

jdhdiggs

Changes? Try added detail and richness. For what its worth, HK are, for whatever reason, not a good matchup. They sound very dark/veiled. I preferred my RT800 to my LSi's on HK amplification. Of the reasonably priced amps (<$500) that I've used Carver amps sound the best with the LSi's, especially if you're having issues with brightness.

If it was my money, I would get a workhorse Carver and try it with your RTi's and if that doesn't give you enough relief, look to the LSi's.

ben62670

PolkFan1 wrote: »

Is it more fuller sounding or just louder?

Your present HK is currant limiting in 4ohm mode if it even has it. I have checked them out, and on the back it says 8ohms for the speakers. I would try your HK as a pre. You can upgrade to something different later. Also checkout Parasound. They are built to very high quality also. Audiogon has some at very reasonable prices.

engtaz

Fuller sound.

AndyGwis

I have a 3480. I'm sure you can try the LSi9s out on it to see if you like how the speakers sound. Won't hurt the amp or the speakers unless you go nuts with the volume. It is rated at 150 wpc into 4 ohms.


Then, once you add an external amp, it will sound that much better.

PolkFan1

Ok, any other good pre amps I should look into? I really wanna make this a all in one kinda thing so if the HK isn't going to serve me well beacause it just says 8 ohms on the back then lemme know so i can save time wihtout having to get something else.

Lowell_M

PolkFan1 wrote: »

I knew someone would say gfa-555. Some people said I should switch the HK for a pre amp. Does it really make a difference? The HK is a 2 channel amp anyways and not a a/v receiver. So it shouldn't be too bad?

It seems as though that Adcom is real popular and has lots of power? What is it...300 watts x 2 into the 4 ohm lsi9's?

H9 was just over and brought his (now DKG999's) LSi9's. The setup was... JVC DVD player to Entech Numbercruncher DAC to HK AVR635 6 channel direct input to ADCOM GFA-555 to the LSI9's.

It sounded amazing. The H/K seems to make a pretty good pre-amp.

PolkFan1

The lsi9's are good for all types of music? I do not really listen to jazz or that classical soothing stuff with all of you know but more modern music - pop rock rap all that stuff.

skipf

LSi-9's are great for any type of music you want to hear clearly. I play classical, rock, blues, jazz and bluegrass thru mine. All sound excellent. I highly recommend the Carver C-1 pre - M-500t amp setup I'm using with my 9's. Very smooth and musical combination. The M-500t doesn't even tremble under the 4 ohm loads many amps have a problem with.

PolkFan1

Hmm...How would the Nad c162/c272 preamp/amp combo do with the lsi9's? Seems like the adcom gfa-555 is more powerful though.

reeltrouble1

I like NAD very much, they are most definetely my favorite over the other high power/lower cost options. Well, I suppose I would put Parasound right there also.

I would also recommend Balanced Audio Technology after which you can sit back and enjoy whatever speaker you want for a very long long time.

As far as specs there are numerous threads about watt ratings and how all watts are not created equal or how a watt rating is not an indication of how an amplifier will pass the signal it has amplified along to a speaker and what it will sound like, buy whatever you think will do it for you but buy informed. I would not recommend getting caught up in the flavor of the month or even year.

RT1

PolkFan1

Well here is my current option plans for my lsi9 setup.


Option 1-Adcom Gfa-555 amp with Harman Kardon HK3480 as a preamp

Option 2-Parasound Halo P3 preamp and Adcom Gfa-555 amp

Option 3-Nad c162/c272 preamp/amp


Need a little more advice as I cannot test these aout anywhere where I live or no what to expect with a preamp vs. without one. I am going to go solely off of reviews and advice. I also just might scrap the pre amps and get a quality cd player. I do have a budget and I think a quality cd player with option 1 should be good unless I am mistaken.

PolkFan1

Based on my budget I think I will do this...

Nad c542 Cd player
Harman Kardon hk3480 as a preamp
Adcom Gfa-555 amp
lsi9's


Think this will make a killer 2channel stereo while not breakin the bank? by the way I am buying all used!!!!!!

I must obtain good sound Yess!!!!!

cfrizz

That will be an excellent system!

G-2

engtaz wrote: »

I love my Denon 4802 over 100 watts per channel but I now run external amps and what a difference it makes.

+1000-Richness & fullness will increase significantly, lots of options, you've got most of the info you need to move forward, good luck and enjoy!!