Help me with my RT5000s

mhartman29
mhartman29 Posts: 257
edited December 2007 in Electronics
I recently just found this forum, and have found the information here invaluable! I am at a crossroads with my system right now. I've had my RT5000 system for 7 years now, and sad to say, I am now realizing how sad my setup has been.

I've been reading many posts regarding getting a dedicated power amplifier in order to truly power these speakers and I'm getting sold on the idea. I hear a lot of talk about Outlaw, and they seem fairly reasonably priced. So, a few questions for anyone who's willing to help.

I could possibly put about $1500 into a setup now and I see on Outlaw's site they are selling a 970 PrePro/7125 Pwr Amp for about 1300. Since the amp delivers 125x7 and my setup is a 5 channel setup, would this be sufficient power for my system?

I see Audiogon has what seems to be a good price on a Outlaw audio 750. Would that be a better option than the 7125?

Is it possible to get a good setup going without dropping 2000 on an amp alone?

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks for helping this novice out!
Emotiva LMC pre/pro
Emotiva LPA amp
Fronts LSI15
Center LSIC
Rears LSI7s
Dual MFW-15s
Oppo 980H
Signal Analog II ICs
Signal Ultra speaker cables
Post edited by mhartman29 on
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Comments

  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited December 2007
    With 300 watt powered sub units, and 92dB sensitivity you don't really need a ton of power, but most Polks will sound better given nice clean power that separates can deliver. The Outlaws are a good choice.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,067
    edited December 2007
    Your system will sound the best if you use 200 wpc-250 wpc x 5.
    I recently bought the rt 5000 and i will upgrade my system from a marantz sr 8001 receiver (125x7 discreet power) to a 200x7 emotiva amp.
    I tested these speakers with a couple of nad 208 amps (250x 2) i have laying around and found the speakers sounded best with the extra wattage/amperage given by the nad amps.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited December 2007
    I noticed a post regarding the emotiva lmc1 and lpa1 combination. The price fits within my budget and this seems like a great deal.

    http://www.emotiva.com/lmc1.html
    http://www.emotiva.com/lpa1.html (125 wpc x6)

    Think these would work well for these speakers?
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited December 2007
    I have an RT5000 home theater setup which I'm running with a Yamaha RX-Z1 receiver, and it's pretty freaking powerful and clean sounding.
    As said, your subs are self powered with 300 watts and your top boxes are rated very effiecient at 92.
    So Unless you are running a truly under powered or poor quality receiver, or you have an enormous room with poor acoustics, I can't imagine poor performance.
    How are your speakers wired to your system?


    -Luc
    mhartman29 wrote: »
    I recently just found this forum, and have found the information here invaluable! I am at a crossroads with my system right now. I've had my RT5000 system for 7 years now, and sad to say, I am now realizing how sad my setup has been/QUOTE]
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited December 2007
    Right now, they're not! But I was using the simplest wiring option (option #1 in the rt3000 manuals) which is simply connecting the receiver's output to the subwoofers hi-level inputs. Would you suggest an alternative method?

    My room isn't large at all, probably about 10x12.

    I'm really leaning towards the emotiva combination. It seems to be getting very good reviews, and the price is unbeatable.
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2007
    what receiver are you using right now? Maybe you just need to add a 5 channel amp to it then... if your receiver has pre amp outputs.. you should be ok then.

    check here for Outlaw B-stock amps.. huge savings https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/bstock.html
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited December 2007
    My current reciever doesn't have preouts. I went ahead and ordered the emotiva ultra combination. I'll let you all know how it works once it arrives!
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited December 2007
    Yes, providing all your connections are clean and tight, that should do it.
    I don't have the diagram in front of me, but I'm assuming you're jumping leads to the satellites atop the subs.
    I ran it that way for a while, currently running bi-wires to the satellites and LFE to the subs.
    Also make sure your calibrated correctly, and that your receiver doesn't drop the mains 10db automatically.

    -Luc

    mhartman29 wrote: »
    Right now, they're not! But I was using the simplest wiring option (option #1 in the rt3000 manuals) which is simply connecting the receiver's output to the subwoofers hi-level inputs. Would you suggest an alternative method?

    My room isn't large at all, probably about 10x12.

    I'm really leaning towards the emotiva combination. It seems to be getting very good reviews, and the price is unbeatable.
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  • mhartman29
    mhartman29 Posts: 257
    edited December 2007
    What is the advantage of biwiring to the satellites?
    Emotiva LMC pre/pro
    Emotiva LPA amp
    Fronts LSI15
    Center LSIC
    Rears LSI7s
    Dual MFW-15s
    Oppo 980H
    Signal Analog II ICs
    Signal Ultra speaker cables
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