Best receiver for lsi15

Nacken23 · April 2009

Hi everyone I'm new to this I'm purchasing a pair of polk lsi15 and would like to know what's the best receiver for them my price is around the $1000 mark or maybe higher I was looking at the onkyo 905 is this any good or can I do better I want a 7.1 setup any help would be appricated

candjhuntley · April 2009

Welcome to CP! The LSi15 from what i hear are amazing speakers (i have personally heard the LSi9s, and they are some of the best speakers i've ever heard), but they are a beast to drive (all of the LSI-series is) since they aren't incredibly efficient and only provide a 4ohm resistance. But when they have the power they like, they really open up!

To drive LSi series speakers, it seems the preferred method is to get a decent receiver with pre-outs, and run a separate amp. I'm not familiar with the 905, but i know it's one of Onkyo's high end - but looking at the specs on it, it doesn't look like it's optimized for 4-ohm loads (i could be wrong).

If i were you, i would pick up a decent receiver with preouts (Onkyo TX-SR706/806 for example - though many more options from other companies like Denon, Harmon Kardon, Yamaha, etc) and then spend about $600-$700 or so for a used 5 channel amp from audiogon.

I guess what's also important is knowing what you're planning to do with the rest of the system. Are you running LSIs all the way around? Which ones are you running? You could probably get away with using your receiver for LSi7s in the rear, but just about any others from the LSi line will most likely require a separate amp.

Perhaps someone with experience with the 905 will tell you differently, or steer you to a receiver at that price point which can handle the LSi line ok

satman24122 · April 2009

I have the Polk LSI15 and I am using a Denon 3808 with a Emotiva LPA-1 and it is working great but my dream would be to use the Emotiva UPA-7 amp which replaced the LPA-1 with the Emotiva UMC-1 processor. You will need a amp if you want to see the best the speaker has to offer and the Emotiva UPA-7 is on sale for 539.00 and the processor is 699.00 but it has not been released yet. I would not spend a lot on the receiver because the power will be coming from the amp. Good luck Man

hockeyboy · April 2009

Welcome to Club Polk! I recommend that you use the search function next to quick links above. Try search, and then advanced search searching keyword in titles only. This question is asked about every month and you can find a ton of responses by using the search. Incidentally, I think that was my first post too!

Here are a few threads to get you started, and you will still get some good responses from the group.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63122

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77372

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45321&highlight=receiver

P.S. You can always duplicate my rig but will need a bit more dinero.

Sherardp · April 2009

hockeyboy wrote: »

P.S. You can always duplicate my rig but will need a bit more dinero.

NIce rig HB, and it would be quite a bit dinero. Hows that Mits PJ treating you? Read good things about it, no plans for the new 7000?

hockeyboy · April 2009

I have to tell you I love my Mitsubishi. Great PQ and so quiet. The only complaint would be how the auto iris is visible in scenes that go from very dark to very light quickly. It doesn't affect for example, gunfire at night so is indeed an incredibly minor complaint. Especially since you can disable the auto iris with a single touch. Still, I suspect I will move up to the 8000 in about two years when that sucker comes down from 15K!

PSOVLSK · April 2009

Nacken23 wrote: »

Hi everyone I'm new to this I'm purchasing a pair of polk lsi15 and would like to know what's the best receiver for them my price is around the $1000 mark or maybe higher I was looking at the onkyo 905 is this any good or can I do better I want a 7.1 setup any help would be appricated

In that price range, I'd get the lowest level AVR with pre-outs and spend the rest on an amp...a used one from here or audiogon.

A couple of AVR's in the $400 range if you look online. This leaves $600 for a pretty good used 5-channel amp.
Yamaha 663
H/K 245

Nacken23 · April 2009

I also want to connect my ps3 to the receiver to get PCM 7.1 THROUGH HDMI anyone know if the onkyo 806 accepts this ? Will this even work when i connect my amp aswell im so confused

tonyb · April 2009

Most here will tell you,for the LSI LINE,you will need an amp as they are 4 ohm and need more current that only a seperate amp can deliver.If you want to sidestep the amp,move to the A7'S,easier to drive with most receivers out there.Plus it will leave you with some extra coin to buy a sub.Also,there is a search button at the top of the page that can be used to look up most questions that you have.

Nacken23 · April 2009

Thanks for ur help so if I connect my ps3 to my receiver through hdmi and my receiver to my amp will I be able to get linear PCM 7.1 from my ps3. Do the speakers connect to the back of the receiver or amp if they connect to the amp will this mean I won't be able to get PCM 7.1 from my ps3 . I'm sorry if I'm confusing ye it's just that receivers and amps are all new to me please reply

candjhuntley · April 2009

Yes - the 806 can handle PCM over HDMI - at least it does from a computer - so i'm assuming you'd have no issues with your PS3. Then after the sounds have been processed, they're sent to the amp for nothing but amplification (sent through inter-connect cables), all the amp does is add juice to the signal to make them stronger to drive the speakers - then the speakers, which are hooked up to the amp - sing.

Liky Tony said, if you wanted to save a bit, you could go with the RTi line, but if you're willing to get a separate amp to drive your LSi15s, i believe your experience will be more rewarding with music and ht both.

What other speakers are you planning to run to fill out the 7.1?

Nacken23 · April 2009

candjhuntley wrote: »

Yes - the 806 can handle PCM over HDMI - at least it does from a computer - so i'm assuming you'd have no issues with your PS3. Then after the sounds have been processed, they're sent to the amp for nothing but amplification (sent through inter-connect cables), all the amp does is add juice to the signal to make them stronger to drive the speakers - then the speakers, which are hooked up to the amp - sing.

Liky Tony said, if you wanted to save a bit, you could go with the RTi line, but if you're willing to get a separate amp to drive your LSi15s, i believe your experience will be more rewarding with music and ht both.

What other speakers are you planning to run to fill out the 7.1?

So the speakers connect into the receiver to get 7.1 audio and the amp is connected to the receiver is this right
By the way I'm just using old panasonic speakers for now to get 7.1 if that will work I will be upgrading them soon

candjhuntley · April 2009

Nacken23 wrote: »

So the speakers connect into the receiver to get 7.1 audio and the amp is connected to the receiver is this right
By the way I'm just using old panasonic speakers for now to get 7.1 if that will work I will be upgrading them soon

Not exactly - there are RCA cables (interconnect cables) that go from the pre-outs on the back of your receiver and connect into the amp. the speakers are connected to the amp. The audio goes from your PS3 into the receiver where it is processed and sent out the pre-outs to the amp. there it is given a lot of juice (amplified) and sent to the speakers.

Remember that not all speakers have to go through the separate amp. If your Panasonics don't need the excess power, they can just hook directly to the receiver and bypass the amp (in which case there will be no interconnect cables for those particular channels). You could get away with a two channel amp right now for your 15s, then when you upgrade the rest of the speakers (presumably with LSi speakers which would require a separate amp, though if that's out of the price range, alternatives can be found), you would need to factor in the cost of a 5 channel amp for them as well.

Hope this makes sense

Nacken23 · April 2009

Ya it all make sense to me now thank you very much

Nacken23 · April 2009

Hi again u say RCA cables can these cables handle PCM hd audio?
Secondly I was looking at the new onkyo 607 instead of the 806 u suggested coz the ps3 will be doing the audio decoding into PCM can the 607 handle PCM 7.1 can't find out anywhere and can the 607 do 4omhs for my Polk lsi15?
Finally could u suggest a suitable amp to go with this?
PLEASE REPLY

NewHTguy · April 2009

I don't know the specs on the Onk 607, but the 605/6 models do NOT have pre-outs. This means that you will not be able to use it with an amp. That is why most people here suggest the 705/6 or higher.

Bernal · April 2009

I have the Polk LSI15 and I am using a DENON AVR-4308CI.

________________________________
1) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
2) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
3) DENON DVD-1740: Progressive Scan DVD Video/CD Player
4) DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
5) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
6) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
7) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
8) SONY SS-MSP16 LEFT (Surround speaker)
9) SONY SS-MSP16 RIGHT (Surround speaker)
10) SONY SS-CNP16 LEFT (Surround back speaker)
11) SONY SA-WP16 ( Sub Woofer 2X200W)

cnh · April 2009

You'll probably 'blow' the 607 and the LSIs if you try and use an Onkyo 607 (can't handle 4 ohm loads)...also, as pointed out...no pre-outs on that. Pre-outs begin with the 706 in the Onkyo line. Good basic AVR with all the processing you would need...look for a good price or try and get a reburb from Onkyo Direct!

Then mosey on over to Audiogon and get yourself a 3 channel power amp for the L/Center/R speakers and use the Onkyos L/C/R pre-outs.

cnh

candjhuntley · April 2009

Nacken23 wrote: »

Hi again u say RCA cables can these cables handle PCM hd audio?

What i meant by the phrase earlier was three cables with RCA ends on them. There's a lot of discussion concerning what constitutes a good interconnect cable. There are some interconnect cables out there that are VERY expensive. But from what i've read, you can get by with an RCA video cable and it would work just fine. So if you were running three interconnects from the receiver to the amp for your front soundstage, you could basically use a set of component video cables which will be color coded for you - should work fine. But there are probably others who might tell you differently. I've just read that standard RCA video cables work just fine.

Nacken23 wrote: »

Secondly I was looking at the new onkyo 607 instead of the 806 u suggested coz the ps3 will be doing the audio decoding into PCM can the 607 handle PCM 7.1 can't find out anywhere and can the 607 do 4omhs for my Polk lsi15?

As was just stated above, skip the 6XX line and go straight to the 706 / 806 for the pre-outs. You need those to run the external amp.

Nacken23 wrote: »

Finally could u suggest a suitable amp to go with this?

And for an amp, my buddy is using an Acurus 200x3 that someone here on the forums sold me for under $400. Over at Audiogon.com, if you keep your eye open, various three channel amps show up over there that will run your LSi speakers (Adcom 5503, Acurus 200x3 are just a couple of examples - but basically, any amp that is rated to handle 4 ohms and does at least 200wpc into 8 ohms).

Good luck - keep us informed on your progress

Nacken23 · April 2009

Thanks again for All ur help and advice I will let ye know how it goes when I get the speakers provided I don't blow everythin up LOL:D

Best receiver for lsi15

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