5 CH AMP for Lsi's - Para vs Adcom, Emo, Outlaw

niente
niente Posts: 68
edited May 2011 in Electronics
Any advice/Experience any one could share would be appreciated!

LSI 15's - LSIC - LSI FX - PSW1000 Sub
Currenlty using Onkyo 803 Receiver which actually does a more than just respectable job driving my LSI's but does come up short with demanding movie and music tracks at times

Parasound 5250 v.2 appears to be the pinacle.....but $2800 - - -

at this cost / performance level this Amp purchase will be long term so cost is not the only issue

comparable (?) Emo for instance is almost 1/3 the cost of the Para

Goal is to end upgrades ( for Amp anyway!)

Anyone recently gone down this road that can offer advice?

Thanks!!!
Onkyo TX-SR804 receiver
Parasound 5250
LSI 15's
LSI C
LSI FX's
PSW1000 Sub
OPPO 93
Sony CDP-C315 CD
Monster AC line cond
Audioquest, Blue Jeans & Monster wires/connects
40" Sony Bravia XBR6
Post edited by niente on
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Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited May 2011
    Just buy an older 5ch amplifier from Parasound...problem solved. It's a much better amplifier sonically and build quality than the Emotiva. You might want to look into B&K as another warm alternative.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • carwashguy
    carwashguy Posts: 131
    edited May 2011
    I recently purchased a 5250, and love the sound. Have had a few fuses go out, Parasound was quick to correct the problem, they really stand behind their products. That being said I wanted to expand into a 7.2 so I purchased a Wyred 4Sound set of mono block amps to use for my main speakers. They sound great as well. I like the class D technology because you get the same sound clarity with a fraction of the weight and heat
    Living Room
    LSi 15
    LSi7
    LSiC
    LSiFX
    2 EPIK Empire
    2 W4S Sx-1000
    Monster HTPS 7000 MKII
    Parasound 5250
    Onkyo PR-SC5508
    Oppo BDP-95
    Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    LG 55 LED

    Bedroom
    RTi A7
    CSi A6
    FXi A6
    2 PSW 125
    Onkyo TX-NR1008
    Panasonic 60 Plasma
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2011
    http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/339143
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,296
    edited May 2011
    I must say my Rotel-RMB-1095 does one fine job of powering my LSi's. Not one measley complaint here what so ever. It is one beast of a great amp.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,383
    edited May 2011
    niente wrote: »
    Goal is to end upgrades ( for Amp anyway!)

    If that's the case, don't go Adcom, Emo, or Outlaw. I've owned both Adcom and Emo and while I really like them, I know there's better out there.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited May 2011
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    Maybe you could be a little more specific about your budget? 2800 seems too much. Face's suggestion looks nice but that's also about 2 grand! So would you be willing to spend that much?

    Also, it depends on what you want to achieve...LSIs are pretty musical speakers and can benefit from quality amplification--but I am 'not' of the opinion that all channels in an LSI system need that kind of quality amplification. Your front speakers would probably be best served by the best quality amp you can afford for 2 channel music and that is where I would put most of my money if my budget were limited. Or maybe a 3 channel?

    Or just consider this yet one more option. If you have the budget, by all means go five channel. But thinking that you will be satisfied forever is not something that ever happens around 'here'.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited May 2011
    Welcome to Club Polk!

    I am a firm believer in amplification for all channels if possible, ESPECIALLY for the LSI's.
    I started out with a 2 channel, then got a monoblock, finally I have a 5 channel 405wpc Sunfire that drives all my speakers to their full potential. My amp upgrades are done until this amp dies.

    So, I would say that you are on the right track. Don't be afraid of used gear from Audiogon, well made gear is designed to last for years. All the brands mentioned will do the job for you. What I love about my Sunfire is that it puts out tons of power, and only weighs 43lbs!

    Do it once, do it right, sit back & enjoy for years.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,422
    edited May 2011
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I must say my Rotel-RMB-1095 does one fine job of powering my LSi's. Not one measley complaint here what so ever. It is one beast of a great amp.

    Ditto!
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • slk55amg
    slk55amg Posts: 305
    edited May 2011
    My Emotiva XPA5 does its job well, rock solid. runs cool, loads of power.....................................................................
    Emotiva XPA5, Sony ES 5300,: Lsi 15,s LSIC, Monitor 70,s, ( side surrounds) FXI 3,s, (rear surrounds)Micropro4000, Velodyne DEQ 10, Sony 55inchXBR 930D Sony BDP 790 Bedroom rig SonyES 3200 RTIA1,s CSIA4 FXI3,s polk PSW 10 SONY 34inch XBR960:cool:SONY BDP550
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,072
    edited May 2011
    If the goal is as you say, to end upgrade for the amp, then drop Emo, Outlaw, Adcom, from the list. Parasound makes some good stuff you could definately live with for years on end, Rotel, B&K, Musical Fidelity, all are a few steps above the other brands you listed. There's tons of good amps out there, but be advised, no such thing as the end to an upgrade. Your tastes change over time, synergy with the rest of your gear comes into play too. Also allow yourself some coin for cables, once you move up the food chain in gear, so should the cables.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,705
    edited May 2011
    How about talking to the forum member selling his Sunfire Cinema Grand Arcitect's Choice Series II amp for :eek: 750

    225 wpc x 5 @ 8 ohm, 450 wpc x 5 @ 4 ohm :eek:


    He used it to drive a LSi15, LSiC and LSi9 setup.

    Link here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118394
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • bdtae5656
    bdtae5656 Posts: 235
    edited May 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    How about talking to the forum member selling his Sunfire Cinema Grand Arcitect's Choice Series II amp for :eek: 750

    225 wpc x 5 @ 8 ohm, 450 wpc x 5 @ 4 ohm :eek:


    He used it to drive a LSi15, LSiC and LSi9 setup.

    Link here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118394

    I second that!! The sunfire's do an awesome job with the LSI's
    TV:Sony Bravia XBR4 52'
    Mains: Lsi m 705
    C:Lsi m 706
    Rears: Lsi m 703
    Sub: Epik Empire
    Pre:Marantz AV 7005
    Amp:Sunfire TGA-7400
    Blueray: Opp 93
    A/V Component: Panamax M5100-PM
    Cables: Signal Cable, White Zombie, MIT, Pepster's power cables
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,705
    edited May 2011
    bdtae5656 wrote: »
    I second that!! The sunfire's do an awesome job with the LSI's

    If I had 750 I would be taking my Carver upstairs to my office rig and buying that without a seconds hesitation.

    As it is now, if I spent 750 on it, my wife would kill me lol....

    Thinking next years bonus is when I will upgrade my amp for the last time.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited May 2011
    The Sunfire would be an excellent choice. I have both the Sunfire and an IceAmp in my theater setup. Both perform well. If you have 2800 on tap, and want something different then try the IceAmps.

    http://d-sonic.net/
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • niente
    niente Posts: 68
    edited May 2011
    thanks for the replys!

    the heart of the matter here is that i went though this years ago with Stereo:smile:

    started with basic receiver - added Amp -- added Tuner - upgraded spkrs - amp was now over matched - upgraded amp etc etc

    still have this Vintage Sansui separates in basement pumping out sweet sounds!

    Started with Girlfriend V1... upgraded to Wife V1...traded in for Girlfriend V2
    Oopps, wrong forum .... but I'm sure you get the drift!:wink:


    have budget to do once but didn't want to spend bigger just to say " i have a xxxx" was looking for tangeble --audible---reliablity reasons to part with the $$$

    Clearly the Direct Equip sellers offer very good value -cfrizz hits the mark for me with "do it once ..right" philosophy though

    Have heard good things on the Rotel 1095 - thanks

    Sunfire..oooooohhhh Used is not a bad thing but as i want this to be llooooooong term and do love "being the first" thing .......

    JOb ONE done thanks to all your input
    Para 5250, ROtel 1095 or poss B&k and i do have to check out the Wyred

    thanks!
    Onkyo TX-SR804 receiver
    Parasound 5250
    LSI 15's
    LSI C
    LSI FX's
    PSW1000 Sub
    OPPO 93
    Sony CDP-C315 CD
    Monster AC line cond
    Audioquest, Blue Jeans & Monster wires/connects
    40" Sony Bravia XBR6
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,705
    edited May 2011
    niente wrote: »
    Sunfire..oooooohhhh Used is not a bad thing but as i want this to be llooooooong term and do love "being the first" thing ......

    True but why pay the entrance fee for "new" if you can get just as good used for much much less? I dont understand it just like I dont understand the point of buying new off the lot.

    Take the extra cash you dont use by buying new for stuff like acoustic treatments, wiring, ect. Those can also make a big difference and you can get a great overall package for the same price as a single "new" amp.

    Plus most folks on the forums here aren't gonna sell you junk, we have online rep's that matter so they normally not only are great pieces of gear, but are at a lower cost than they would sell to someone on ebay, craigslist or audiogon.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • ivansfo
    ivansfo Posts: 145
    edited May 2011
    niente wrote: »
    Goal is to end upgrades ( for Amp anyway!)

    Thanks!!!

    If you truly mean this, I would recommend a used Bryston 9B-ST THX. This amp can be had in the $1500-1800 range. You'll likely get a warranty that last longer than buying new of other brands.

    I believe an amp is one component you can buy once and stick with it longer than any other parts of the audio chain. I personally got a Bryston and never looked back.
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