Receiver or Amp

mjg

I am looking to buy new speakers, and have decided on Polk LSI15's. (also looking at B&W CM7) After doing alot of research it seems I need a really powerfull receiver, or at least to upgrade to a receiver with pre-amp outputs, and an amp. My current receiver does not have pre-amp outputs. I am interested in staying with a 5:1 suround system, and dont know if that means that i need a five chanel amp or not. Found Marantz SR 5004 for $650.00 shipped on ebay. Good deal? Any and all help would be appreciated.

MJG

bluecomet

Since you don't have a receiver with pre outs you will have to get one or a pre amp made for HT. You will then have to buy a quality amp that can handle 4 ohms to drive any Lsi speakers. You should also look into an amp that can push at least 200 watts at 4 ohms to make the Lsi 15's sing. You are going to have to invest a few dollars to set up the Lsi system but it is worth it in the long run. You will need at least the Lsi center speaker to have the front of the system sonically match which is important. I am sure a few will chime in as to what there favorite amps and receivers are. I currently use a Carver 3 speaker amp to power my mains and fronts, with an Emotiva amp to power the rest of my 7.1 system. I am pleased with it. Hope this helps.

nooshinjohn

Amp....

tonyb

Both,don't try and push the LSI's with a receiver alone. You need a receiver with pre outs and an amp. Or a different speaker selection.

mjg

Any suggestions on equipment? Keep in mind that I dont need to go 7:1 I am open to used or refurb, I just dont know what to look for yet. To much stuff, to many options, limited amount of money.
Thanks

Hawkeye

Purchase an AVR that has preouts and a minimum of bells and whistles you can live with. AVR's become obsolete as soon as you install them. Invest as much cash as you can in a high power (watts/current) amplifier. They don't go obsolete and amplification is the foundation of any system.

Recommendation: For an amp, A B&K 5 channel amp (7250)should give you more than entry level sonics and rock solid dependability.

I have a HK 254 as my AVR with the above amp.

Gordon

mjg

could I use a b&k reference 2220 for the fronts, and let the receiver run the rears and center? I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to get. Spent about 2 hours looking through audiogon tonight. No b&k 7250. Any other sugestions

cfrizz

If you intend to run a complete LSI set of speakers, then you will need a 5 channel amp to push them with.

Welcome to Club Polk.

mjg

Thanks,

I am just upgrading the two fronts to lsi now. Would this be easier if I went with the B&W's or maybe the rti a7.

cnh

I'm pretty sure the Marantz 5000 series has pre-outs--you should check their site they have pics...Therefore, for now...all you need is a good 2 channel power amp that will handle the LSis...you can get those used starting from around 250 to 500. I'd stick with the LSIs and save up for the amp...it's really not horribly expensive.

cnh

Hawkeye

mjg wrote: »

could I use a b&k reference 2220 for the fronts, and let the receiver run the rears and center? I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to get. Spent about 2 hours looking through audiogon tonight. No b&k 7250. Any other sugestions

Wow! I went down this same road. I started with the 7250 and added a 2220 for the front mains and used the 7250 to get a 7.2 rig. If you obtain a 2220 for the fronts, you'll be pleasantly surprised! Let the AVR run the rest and add to it as funds allow.


If you like the sound of the LSI, do what is necessary, not what is easier. You'll have that thought in the back of your mind, "wonder what this would have sounded like if I bought the speakers I REALLY wanted"


Gordon

mjg

I found a good buy(i think?) on a Rotel 981 for $350.00. My question now is how do you figure WPC @ 4 ohms when specs are given @ 8 ohms? Can you just figure it at twice the rated WPC as I have seen in some specs, or is there another way. The rotel is rated at 130 @ 8 ohms. I guess what i need to know is will this amp(very well reviewed) drive LSI 15's well?

Thanks for any help MJG

cfrizz

It will drive them, but I don't think you will be getting them to operate to their full potential.

LSI's sound better with the more power you feed them. You should be looking at 200wpc @ 8ohms, that will give you almost 300wpc @ 4ohms with most amps.

mjg

I will keep looking. thanks.

Jetmaker737

You should take some time to properly research some amps. If you're on a budget you can pick up an Adcom or older Parasound amp that can drive the LSi's.

Look here for reviews:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/amplifiers/PLS_1583crx.aspx

mjg

Thanks,
I have been looking on ebay, and on audiogon. Here is the list of what has stood out from the rest. B&K reference 2220(still pricey for the age), Carver M 500, Carver TFM35x, Carver TFM 25. I read revues on about 50 different amps. The one parasound I found in my price range got bad revue. I also hear nothing good about Adcom. Any input on these or any others would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Maurice

Jetmaker737

mjg wrote: »

Thanks,
I also hear nothing good about Adcom.

Interesting. I've never had one but seems most the folks here at CP who've had them have good things to say.

You should search these forums for the amp models your interested in.

FYI, there's a TFM-24 in the For Sale section:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93452

mjg

Adcom GFA 555 seems to be a classic that gets good revues. I will check out the TFM-24 on the classifieds here. Anyone use this to power LSI 15's?

Thanks, Maurice

bigaudiofanatic

Look at
outlaw
Adcom
for amps but as said above you need a preamp or a receiver with pre outs.

mjg

Thanks to every one who gave me advice, and helped to educate me. I ordered the LSI15's (back ordered till mid Jan.) and am picking up a nice amp (from some one here) to power them. Now I need to find a 5:1 receiver with pre amp outs, and HDMI if possable. Any and all suggestions and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Maurice

cnh

mjg wrote: »

I am looking to buy new speakers, and have decided on Polk LSI15's. (also looking at B&W CM7) After doing alot of research it seems I need a really powerfull receiver, or at least to upgrade to a receiver with pre-amp outputs, and an amp. My current receiver does not have pre-amp outputs. I am interested in staying with a 5:1 suround system, and dont know if that means that i need a five chanel amp or not. Found Marantz SR 5004 for $650.00 shipped on ebay. Good deal? Any and all help would be appreciated.

MJG

You had mentioned the sr-5004 Marantz. That has pre-outs, HDMI, etc. and would work for you plus that's a pretty good price and they come with a 3 year warranty..

cnh

nooshinjohn

Yamaha RX-v861 or 863 would fit the bill as well

coolsax

the Yamaha RX-V665 also fits the bill with Pre-Outs and has plenty of HDMI inputs.

Jetmaker737

Make sure you get an AVR that has a Direct or Pure Audio mode that bypasses the digital signal processor for 2 channel listening.

mjg

Thanks, Thanks, and Thanks. I am on a new quest. Will let you know how I make out. If anyone Knows if the above mentioned AVR's have the "direct or pure audio mode" please let me know.

Thanks, Maurice

mjg

All the listed AVR's are 7.1 Are there any 5.1 that might be a little less $?

Thanks, Maurice

Jetmaker737

mjg wrote: »

If anyone Knows if the above mentioned AVR's have the "direct or pure audio mode" please let me know.

Maurice,

You can usually get the user manuals at the manufacturer web site. It's a good way to learn about your prospective purchases. :cool:

Jet

cfrizz

mjg wrote: »

All the listed AVR's are 7.1 Are there any 5.1 that might be a little less $?

Thanks, Maurice

Unless you go used, you will be hard pressed to find a 5.1 receiver. 7.1 has been the standard for quite a few years.

bigaudiofanatic

I know it is a shot in the dark but, look around on ebay on craigs list and post a wanted add on here. For a pioneer elite receiver I picked mine up for 300 but I lucked out big time. I have seen them on ebay that go as low as that. I know that you will probably want a amp later to give the polks some more power.

mjg

Thanks, I will look for the Pioneer. I found a Yamaha rx-v863 and am waiting to hear back from the guy. I am in the process of buying an amp now. The receiver is the last piece for now!!

DMara

tonyb wrote: »

Both,don't try and push the LSI's with a receiver alone. You need a receiver with pre outs and an amp. Or a different speaker selection.

I 2nd this post! Take care of your lsi15's with an amp, do not plug them directly to the receiver!
I tried to power it with my Denon AVR-2808ci previously. However adding an Emo XPA-5 did help my lsi15's as well as lsi/FX's and lsiC to perform way way better