I need LSi adivce

Shizelbs,

Welcome!

All that matters is if you like your system. If you want to get the LSi's, the Sony will drive them, but not anywhere near their potential. You really need a seperate amp and pre/amp. Not knowing what your funds are, that could be more than you want to spend. You might consider buying the seperates now and get the LSi's later.The upside to getting new power would be that your present speakers would sound alot better and you may not mind waiting on new speakers.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.....

F1nut

Shizelbs,
Welcome to the forum!
If the retailer that you plan on buying from has a good return policy you could buy them and try 'em out next to your R40's. If you like them, keep 'em.... If not take them back. Warning!!You'll probably keep them.:)

Lots of good advice so far.

You sound just like me a year ago. I first started with a pair of R40's and an old JVC receiver and I've steadily upgraded to what I think is a killer LSi system over the last year.

R40's are indeed good speakers, especially for the price. But I can't help but giggle when you say "upgrade a touch" Going from R40 to LSi is like going from a Honda to a Porche!

Anyway, I think what you need is an upgrade path. Think of where you want to be in a year or two, then figure out how to do it. Baby steps will give you time to research and find exactly what you want, at the best prices.

You want to have seperates and LSi speakers all the way around in a year or two? Start with components. The first thing I got was a new reciever with pre outs. Then I got an amp, then I started getting the speakers, sources, and cables. Your upgrade path will most likely be different depending on budget and what your final goal is, but you get the point.

Welcome to the club, and let us know how things go!

Originally posted by Steve@3dai
You don't need a seperate PrePro-Amp combo to drive the LSi line. A nice high current receiver would do the trick as well, you just have to be careful of which ones you choose.

Personally, I think you should upgrade the electronics first, and then the speakers. You'll be impressed on what the R40s can do with a NICE amp behind them. By upgrading the speakers first, you will tire of the flaws of the amplifier and CD player. By doing the amp/cd first then you'll get the most out of your current R40s and will be prepared for the LSi onslaught!

Sorta Ditto and Dead on Ditto, respectively there Steve...

Shizelbs
If you go to the LSi15's you're moving not only from an 8 ohm load to a 4, but down from a 90db efficient speaker to an 88db. For the same "volume" (SPL) in your dorm room (or wherever) you are going to ask that lil' old receiver for almost 3.4 times the current. (check my math here guys).
You still haven't said what Receiver you have, but I smell trouble brewing there... or maybe that's an LSi tweeter frying from all the clipping going on. If you listen as loud as I did in college, it’s a real possibility.

If you're talkin' the 15's, you're talking about having at least $1200 of mad money here (Santa was pretty good, eh?).

Before I go (and on), two warnings about my biases:
- I strongly favor separates over Receivers (more flexibility); and
- I love Carver and B&K, it's why I own them and continue to buy them.

My Advice:
Run to your computer and log onto e-bay. And slap this link into your browser.
http://cq-search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?GetResult&st=2&SortProperty=MetaHighestPriceSort&query=carver+M+%2Dmanual&ebaytag1=ebayavail&ebaycurr=1&ebaytag1code=1&siteid=0&ht=1&maxRecordsPerPage=25&category0=293&combine=y&from=R9
It’s a search for "carver m -manual".

Right now there's a Carver M4.0t up for bid, a M400t (cube) and a M200t. The 4.0 should go for ~$400, the 400 ~$300 and the 200 for ~$170. The 200 will be the deal here, you can bridge it to mono for an nice, 150w (or so) center channel amp. More 200’s and some 500’s will come along soon. An M500t running in stereo would make a great match for the bridged 200 center.
Only look at those Carver’s carrying the “t” designation, the step up to this line was significant. Ask the seller(s) if they’ve been serviced. The better answer is “yes”, it means they likely been upgraded by Carver, but if it’s “no”, that’s OK, too.
There are also a couple of 1.5t’s that’ll go for ~$400, but you may end up bidding against me. I own a 1.5t and always have wanted to find it a mate.
Or you could get it all over with and buy this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3003748673&category=14973
It’ll go for ~$500-$550. For that much I prefer it if seller takes PayPal of CC’s, but he’s an e-bay Store seller so…

If your receiver has pre-amp outputs, you’re done, but…

Assuming your Receiver does not have Pre-amp outputs, next slip this link in:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14978&item=3004017347
It’s a search for "b&k avp 2000". You don’t see these too often, especially complete with remote and manual. One's up now that's going to go for <<$100. It's only rigged for Dolby Pro, but hey, you're in college. It’s a wonderfully clean pre-amp (I own one) and will always have use in a second system or a Stereo only rig.

Either way on the pre-amp out question, with the $700 or so you have left first, get a good progressive scan DVD. With the DVD player you've upgraded your so-so CD play-back capability. And you still have at least $400 to spend on a center channel. You can use the old receiver’s tuner via its “tape out” connections to the B&K.

Later on you can go AVR or whatever, and you’ll still have a couple nice amps to drive sub(s), or an extra couple channels. Even the most die-hard of our AVR clubbers have or are looking for power amps to drive additional channels.

One last question, you bought your R40's in Oct. Does the dealer offer a 1-year upgrade period? If so, you could land those LSi15's by summer's end, and have plenty of power to drive them.

Hope this is useful… I do tend to go on a bit, but just tryin’ to help. If any questions, please ask.

Good luck and welcome to the Club...

We'll all be curious to know the path you've taken and how you feel about your progress.

Shizelbs,
It really sounds like these guys have you on the right track. One thing I didn't see mentioned previously is the fact that the LSI9's can be had for a fair bit less money than the LSI15's, and they are really an extremely impressive speaker. Don't let the size fool you. If you look at the design, the LSI15 is basically an LSI9 in a big cabinet, with the larger bass driver in the bottom. The 9's pack the same umph, and great sound, you just lose a little low end, but you can cover that with your present sub until you are ready to upgrade your sub.
If you've got a thing for that tower look, well then the 9's won't exite ya, but they are one hell of a speaker.

Originally posted by Tour2ma
If you go to the LSi15's you're moving not only from an 8 ohm load to a 4, but down from a 90db efficient speaker to an 88db. For the same "volume" (SPL) in your dorm room (or wherever) you are going to ask that lil' old receiver for almost 3.4 times the current. (check my math here guys).
You still haven't said what Receiver you have, but I smell trouble brewing there... or maybe that's an LSi tweeter frying from all the clipping going on.

I STRONGLY concur - very good advice.

Nearly all "mid-fi" A/V receivers are rated for an 8 ohm load. A handful of the better ones are rated for 6 ohms. I can count on one hand the ones that are rated for an honest 4 ohm load.

LSi = high current 4 ohm rated amps. Do not compromise here or you will be sorry.

Mantis,
Good stuff, but a little pricey for our college lad here, no? Any of the AVR's you listed under $1000?

A bit surprised on your Onkyo v Integra comments, especially since come from same Manf. I was looking at both sites and Onkyo actually struck me as touting their 4 ohm capability more than Integra. Not challenging you, I'm taking yours as the VOA here, just making an observation.

B&K's AVP2000 and AV5000 went for a combined $550 in two separate e-bay auctions over the weekend. I'd be curious as to your view on how they'd have fit the bill here? I know this is only a Pro-Logic rig, but it stuck me as a decent upgrade route for Shizelbs.

Edit: PS - Mantis, did you see my post on B&K's AV2000 "upgrade" offer? Also, I tried to send you an e-mail on a "set" of B&K silver sep's... hope you got it.