I need help with a basic 2 channel setup

roker
roker Posts: 10
edited February 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
Do I go with the TSi 100/200 or the RTi A1?

I'm going to use this to amp them:

http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-2-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235028508&sr=8-1

what do you think I should go for?

I'll most likely go with the Tsi 200's but there's a chance I'll change my mind in the 11th hour, I just need to know if I should go for that or the RTi's?
Post edited by roker on
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    I'd go for the RTiA1's myself. Much better sounding all around speakers IMO. I've compared the two side by side at my local Polk dealer...and the A1's were the clear winner in basically all aspects for my tastes.

    Better highs, warmer mids, better bass extension. The only advantage the TSi's have, is a frequency response that goes slightly lower. 43hz on the 200's versus 50hz on the A1's, that's a fairly minimal difference though. The A1's get my vote.

    By the way, welcome to Club Polk.:)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    thanks

    I work(ed) for the once great (or not so great depending on who you talk to) Circuit City and I'm thinking of taking either one of these babies home with me before they're gone. I did some research after posting this thread and I'm not sure if it represents the consensus but seems as though most users here own RTi's, so that's a good sign if any!
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    Go and compare the two of them if you're able to. That's the only way to know which one you prefer.

    The RTi's are a better all around speaker though really. The TSi's are Polks budget line, where as the RTi's are more in the middle of the road.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    Can't compare them. Boxed (no returns).

    I'm going with the RTi's

    I'll post my setup when I get it.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    Ah...that doesn't help then.

    Yeah, that's what I'd do. You should be very happy with the RTi's. There are tons of people here that use them, and are thrilled with them.

    What are you going to be using for a pre-amp?
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited February 2009
    Look at the RTI A3's
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Look at the RTI A3's

    That would be an even better option. It's a little more coin...but would be well worth the upgrade.

    Are you planning on running a sub with them?
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    That would be an even better option. It's a little more coin...but would be well worth the upgrade.

    Are you planning on running a sub with them?

    not a big sub fan, especially since the apartment I live in seems to have paper thin walls
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    would it be bad to wait on the pre-amp right now?

    I'm running these speakers out of my computer
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    roker wrote: »
    not a big sub fan, especially since the apartment I live in seems to have paper thin walls

    That's understandable. Have you considered the RTiA3's in that case? They'd give you a better overall sound, and would dig a bit lower than the A1's without shaking your walls down.
    roker wrote: »
    would it be bad to wait on the pre-amp right now?

    I'm running these speakers out of my computer

    Using that amp you'd likely need a pre-amp. I'm not sure if you'd be able to run it straight from your computer or not, but I think you'd need a separate pre-amp section. Don't quote me on it though.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    I went from basic to . . . man . . . now I have to spend more

    I'm going to make a decision tomorrow, I'll post results . . . I can buy this piece by piece, though I know keeping those speakers in the box and not using them will probably drive a sane man mad.

    mission tomorrow:

    buy the speakers . . . then I'll get back to you on the preamp and amp
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    lol!

    This place has a tendency of doing that to people. I've been on a spending frenzy lately myself due to this damn place. There is a huge wealth of knowledge here, but get out while you still can! If you're worried about your wallet that is...lol When I came here, my whole budget for the HT setup was going to be around 800 dollars...now the budget has been upped to more like 2000 dollars...lol Plus I've got a 2-ch. rig that's in the startup stages right now. This is on a completely different budget aside from the HT setup of course. It should be fairly respectable in a couple more months though...:)

    Seriously though...take your time, and do it a piece at a time. It takes longer to get your end results, but you'll be much happier in the end if you take the time to do it right.

    I just posted a reply in your thread in the WTB section...

    Here's the link I posted. Adcom GFA-5300 for 125 bucks plus shipping. This would be a much better choice than the amp you named.

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1238260130&/Adcom-GFA-5300-power-amplifier

    Many people have used Adcom amps with their RTi's and have been very happy with them.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    thanks, you're awesome
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    roker wrote: »
    thanks, you're awesome

    lol...You'd be amazed how often I hear that.:p j/k

    edit-

    Here's a nice Adcom tuner/pre-amp for 150 bucks.

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1237849468&/Adcom-gtp-500-mkii-preamplifie

    See what I mean about the people here making you spend more money?...lol


    What are you planning on using as a source? Cd player, Ipod, computer etc.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited February 2009
    Hi Roker.

    With relatively small bookshelves, I don't think you need a sepreate preamp and amp. I think a receiver will suit your needs better.

    Polk speakers and Onkyo receivers are a really good match. Take a look at this 2 x 100w receiver @ Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8555B-TX-8555-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B001AMUFMA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235046547&sr=1-2#moreAboutThisProduct

    Whatever the brand, I think you will get better performance from a 100w receiver (or amp) over a 50w. Especially if you go with the A3s.
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • roker
    roker Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    Mike21 wrote: »
    Hi Roker.

    With relatively small bookshelves, I don't think you need a sepreate preamp and amp. I think a receiver will suit your needs better.

    Polk speakers and Onkyo receivers are a really good match. Take a look at this 2 x 100w receiver @ Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8555B-TX-8555-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B001AMUFMA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235046547&sr=1-2#moreAboutThisProduct

    Whatever the brand, I think you will get better performance from a 100w receiver (or amp) over a 50w. Especially if you go with the A3s.

    I was shooting for a small and inconspicuous look. Anyway, I'm off to work, so let me see which speakers I end up getting.

    that's my priority right now, I'll get the other stuff later.
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  • lumpy
    lumpy Posts: 113
    edited February 2009
    Roker,

    as long as you plan on adjusting the volume via the computer - the A1's and the ASamp100 will work great
    pop

    media room: Lsi25 mains driven by an audiosource amp300, LSi9's driven by another amp300, LsiC drivin by an audiosourcAmp200, Lsi7 rear channels driven by receiver - Yamaha 863, Panamax 5300, epson 6100 w/ 106" elite cinatension2 screen, HPz555 media center, oppo 980, techniques SLbd3 turntable,xbox and ps3,

    living room: VM30 mains driven by a niles 2125, VM20 center and VM10 surrounds, velodyne dsp10, yamaha rxv661, cambridge audio dvd89, panamax5300, philips 42" plasma
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  • CRESCENDOPOWER
    CRESCENDOPOWER Posts: 153
    edited February 2009
    I would like to second the recommendation for RtiA3’s especially for use with the computer. I use mine to watch movies, and listen to music online, and in my setup I actually prefer them to any of Lsi series bookshelf speakers. There is no need to crank the volume to achieve detail, and obtain a stable image at close range. They are one of my favorite Polk bookshelf speakers of all time, especially for the money I paid.
    Buy Polk ****!:D

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/image/12222003154728.jpg
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