LSi-15 + GFA-555ii Monoblocks: Any Thoughts?

stretchl
stretchl Posts: 1,334
edited August 2012 in Electronics
Has anyone run this kind of set up?

Does anyone have any thoughts/advice?

I have no idea why I'm even thinking about this since I'm skimping and scratching about for speaker cable, but, call me crazy...
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
- Isaac Asimov
Hi-Fi
Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
Cabling by Groneberg
Visuals
https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
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Post edited by stretchl on
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Comments

  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,250
    edited August 2012
    Is this speaker/amp pair that much different from other amp/speaker pairs? The only advice I have is just try and tweak the best sound you can get from your stereo. Then buy new gear.
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    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2012
    It just that I've never run monoblocks, and dont know if there are any potential problems I would need to watch out for.

    So I guess the question isn't just about those pieces in particular, but also about getting into a monoblock rig in general.

    Thanks.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited August 2012
    Running mono's is no different than any other amp except that you'll have 2 pieces of gear instead of one. They hook up the same way. One channel/one monoblock amp. So space will be of a concern with mono's. Also, depending on the amps and their age, one may be stronger than the other, so some gain matching maybe necessary but thats not a big deal.
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2012
    Thanks, tony.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited August 2012
    For Lsi I think I would look for an amp that is higher up the food chain than Adcoms offerings. Not saying Adcoms are bad, or will sound bad with them, just that there is more performance to be had, kind of like running a Super car on 89 octane. Yes you can run the 555ii at 4 ohms bridge, but you are running it near the trasistors ceiling, hence all the fuses compared to the original.

    gfa555ii.jpg
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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2012
    Thanks, Dude.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited August 2012
    If you want to run Adcoms as mono blocks get two GFA-565s? Otherwise, why don't you just Bi-amp your Lsis if you have two Adcom 555s. This is exactly what you'd want for bi-amping. One will run the top, one will run the bottom and it should make a difference!

    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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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2012
    Thanks, chn. That's just the kind of advice I'm after.

    I may be confusing/mistakenly interchanging the two phrases - bi-amping and monoblocks.

    Can you recommend a quick read that would explain the difference? Or can you give me a quick lesson here?
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited August 2012
    Yea, I'd say if you had (2) 555's on hand, you'd be much better off biamping with them rather then bridging them and running them as monoblocks, due to the impedance issues mentioned above. Both horizontal and vertical biamping configs would be better than running them bridged. Wikipedia those terms...

    If you DON'T have the (2) 555's yet, and this is just speculative because you're looking for an amp upgrade, I'd recommend spending the money on (1) higher quality amp rather than (2) lower quality amps. I'm not saying the 555's are low quality at all, I'm just saying that doubling their power isn't going to make them more delicate, or detailed, or whatever it is that you feel you're currently lacking.

    In the 6-700 dollar range, you would be better off with (1) better amp than on (2) 555's.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

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  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    edited August 2012
    Thanks, falcon.


    I have a 555ii now, and this scheme crossed my mind when I saw the post someone made about 2 of the amps selling for $250 on CL. Thought if I could acquire one of those at that price a 2 amp rig might result in a noticeable increase in the quality of the sound.
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> Odyssey Khartargo Mono Plus --> LSiM-705's
    Cabling by Groneberg
    Visuals
    https://media.illinois.edu/journalism/ledford-charles-stretch
    bit.ly/stretchonphotojournalism
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
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