LSi9 with NAD M3 any suggestion or pointers?

wudai_e

I'm currently driving my LSi9s with a Onkyo A9555 silver in bi-amp mode, meaning both A and B set are turned on to feed the speakers. It's really pushing the amp because I think this configuration bring the effective impedance down to 2 ohms?

I know such a configuration is against manufacture specification but I've have only encountered occasional amp relay tripping when playing music with high dynamics, and I never play my music that loud...

Here is my main problem tho, the bug is starting to bite me again and I'm looking for something more powerful and I've been eyeing the M3 for sometime. I'm thinking to set up the M3 in the same configuration which is also against manufacture recommendations. My question is, will this be a huge problem in low to medium listening levels?

I also read reviews claiming the M3 is too laid back when playing at low levels with certain speaker/amp paring and I'm wondering if anyone here using M3 to drive the LSi9s encounter similar problems? And if anyone is using such a combo, what is your like and dislike for the system synergy?

Oh, I donno if this matters, my source: PC+prelude card to Cambridge 840 cdp's DAC, the cd player, and a rega P3/24 with rega Ely2 cart. I don't care much about the cables but i buy high quality wires and plugs and solder my own.

Thanks for any inputs.

Kex

Well, I cannot comment on the M3 in particular, but, from memory, another Polkie does own this integrated, so he may add his comments if he sees this thread.

What I can say is that I have been using my T754 to drive 83dB sensitivity speakers, rated at 3-6 ohms, with a power requirement of 60w/ch minimum (I contacted the speaker manufacturer to consult before doing this). As suggested in their response, with this modest NAD receiver (in terms of stated power output), there have been no issues whatsoever with listening at reference levels for extended periods (80-85dBA). There has been no significant heat generated on the top of the receiver's casing. I have not even bothered to use the soft clipping protection feature.

The T754 is rated 90w/ch in stereo mode (8 ohms), and 150w/ch dynamic power (8 ohms). Your M3 is rated 2 x 180w with dynamic power of 280w/ch. The LSi9 may dip as low as 2 ohms (for which all NAD receivers, integrated amplifiers like the M3, and amplifiers are rated), but they are 88dB efficient. Not only will you have no problems with the M3 IMO, but I'm not sure why you would even bother with using both the A & B speaker outputs.

Are you removing the jumpers on the speaker terminals when you do this, BTW? If you really want to do it nonetheless, and if in doubt, I suggest you contact NAD. They can be slow to respond (several days), but you will get an answer, and, if it's not obvious, they'll tell you who to call for a definitive solution.

wudai_e

When I got my onkyo amp I a/bed it between a monster cable and a 4 strand biwire and liked the sound of biwire better, it's sweeter and has a better midrange to my brain, yes, to my brain and I'm not even sure if I imagined the difference... and I really don't want to make another pair of speaker cables. And yes the jumper between the binding post of the speakers are removed. Thanks for the input.

Barefoot

The M3 integrated alone is quite adept in pushing lsi9's without any external amplification. Although I've never used the Onkyo, I would suspect that the NAD's innards are superior. I could be wrong.

And to my ears, lsi9/m3 combo is not too laid back. Vivid is more like it.