Separates for LSI7 PC speakers

[Joey_V]

alright... the LSI7 are officially here and are on their way to staying as the speaker of choice for my computer... a few more days of testing against the Axioms M22s to make sure I am making the right decision.

so, in the process of deciding - i want to maybe entertain the possibility of jumping into the audio world of separates (pre/pro and an amp).... i am more interested in having the front two speakers amped by a separate amp for 2-Channel listening.

i dont really care for the rears being externally amped at the moment - remember, i am a college student and i can easily be broke!! :D

so i was thinking - going with a receiver for pre/pro (preferably with 6ch inputs for analog outputs from the sound blaster audigy2zs soundcard on my computer) maybe by yamaha ... AND a separate amp for the fronts...

I dont want to spend more than i have to... so lets see some affordable tips guys.. nothing overly extravagant now!! as cheap as possible i guess.... :(

HOW does this all work??? I am completely in NEW TERRITORY! help a fellow polkie to be! :)

[Sami]

With a computer I'm not sure if you need a preprocessor. Especially since you're going to use analog outputs. If you're going with a prepro, I would use digital output as I'm sure the prepro does a better job than the sound card.

Get a good 2 channel amp for the LSi7's and cheap 5 channel for the surrounds, connect them to the sound card. Wouldn't that do the job?

[Joey_V]

i can see this can get awfully complicated.... i just want to add a separate amp for the main for 2 channel listening.

i want to connect all the speakers as well to a receiver so i can do movies as well.

i was thinking - soundcard (analog and digital) to receiver (used as pre/pro) and then the mains to an external amp.... thats all... is this even feasible??

i dont even know how the preouts on a receiver work... i mean, is there a preout for ever speaker channel?

or is it just one preout per receiver?

[Sami]

I'm just saying that if you're using a computer sound card and its analog outputs, you could just rout it to an amp. No prepro required. I haven't done this myself so it might not work but I don't see why it wouldn't.

If you're using a prepro or receiver, then use digital output.

[Joey_V]

sami,

thanks for your quick replies! hmm.. that is interesting.. I will have to check at my local audio store and see what they say about it. As you can see, I know nothing about separates! :D

[Mazeroth]

HK AVR230 receiver for pre/pro

Crown XLS-402A for 2-channel amp (400w rms @ 4 ohms)

Can get both shipped for under $550 combined BRAND NEW. You can't do better than this, trust me.

EDITED! I meant to type the HK AVR230, not the 225. Sorry!

[Joey_V]

wow... now to find those components... any other suggestions?

[Joey_V]

oops... double post! :D