Is My Amp Suitable For LSi15?

[jrlouie]

I have a 2-channel amp pushing my Lsi15's. I've read alot on these forums about having the proper amp for these speakers. I'm somewhat new to the amplifier-researching aspect of improving my system so I'm wondering if anyone will give me their opinion based upon the specs of my current amp. Here they are...
-200 per channel @ 8Ohms
-325 per channel @ 4Ohms
-425 per channel @ 2Ohms
-Max RMS Voltage Swing = 44.5V
-Max Peak-to-peak Voltage Swing = 126V
-Freq Resp +-3dB @ 1W, 8Ohm Stereo = 10Hz-65kHz
-Power Bandwidth, Full power @ 4Ohm, 1% THD+N = 10Hz - 20kHz
-THD @ 4Ohms < 0.02% @ 1kHz
-Damping Factor >800:1 @ 100Hz
-Input Sens = .775V 4Ohms
-Input Sens (Bal/Unbal) > 20kOhms/>10kOhms
-Hum & Noise (A Weighted) -105dB
-Class AB, 90 Joules
-Idle Power Consumption = 125 Watts
-1/8 Power Consumption = 950 Watts
-Max Power Consumption (Limited by breaker) = 1600 Watts

Will this amp provide excellent/average/poor performance? Is purchasing a different amp strongly suggested?

Thanks.

[PolkWannabie]

The statistics appear to be more than sufficient ... what amp is it ? More importantly ... HOW DOES IT SOUND ?

[jrlouie]

The amp...
CREST AUDIO Vs650

I think it sounds good. I only question because you never know, what if there's something in the LSi15 I'm missing :)

I previously pushed them with my Onkyo TX-DS797. When I hooked up the CREST AUDIO, I noticed tighter response and that "punch you in the chest" feel. I still look for that great low-end response I've had with other speakers. Maybe my speaker positioning is optimal. I get good low-end response with the LSi15s on demo tracks, but with everyday music I don't see it as much and I'm glad I've got a sub.

Nevertheless, I do really enjoy their detail.

[F1nut]

Looks like your amp should do fine. I wonder about your bass issue. Most music doesn't have the kind of bass you find in HT. I believe too many people today think that if it doesn't go BOOM BOOM that it's not enough bass. There is no way you should need a sub with those speakers.

[jrlouie]

Maybe your right.

I also noticed a typo in my previous response. I meant to say that maybe my positioning is not optimal. Anyway, thanks for the opinion.

[F1nut]

Yeah, I got ya the first time ;)

Can you play around with the speaker positioning? What kind of cables are you using and what is your source?

[jrlouie]

My source is the pre-outs from my Onkyo TX-DS797. Only reason is I was aready using the receiver, don't have the money right now to buy typical seperates (complete pre-amp/amp setup) and didn't want to waste a receiver I bought just a couple of years ago. Basically I had the amp, not being used, so I thought I'd try it out. Someday I'd like to buy a nice pre-amp and beefy multi-channel amp.

My cables are...
From pre-outs to amp = Hosa cables that came with amp which are actually your typical RCA plug on one end and 1/8 inch plugs on the other
From amp to LSi15s = your typical Monster Cable, bi-wired

Speaker re-positioning is a possibility but very limited. I've got a pretty small apartment with a weird floor-layout. As you can somewhat see in the picture, the back wall is at different depths. If your suggestion is to re-position, do you have any suggestions regarding minor-tweaking allowing them to remain in the same general locale?

Thanks!

[F1nut]

Try moving the right speaker forward, so that it's free of that side wall and on the same plane as the left. You could then move the rack and TV over to the right a little. Keep the front of the speakers forward of the TV and rack. It looks like you live in one of those old factory buildings, they're neat places.

By source I mean your music source, ie., CD player. I understand you're using the receiver as a pre amp, but I don't understand why one end of the interconnects has 1/8" RCA's??? Anyway, you say it's a typical patch cord and that has to go. There are a host of good cables available, not Monster, that will help with the low end response. MIT "Shotgun's" are very good, but there are others. Same goes for the speaker cables, but interconnects make the most difference. That includes the ones connecting the CD player too. Buying used is a excellent way to get more cable for less.

I've never heard of Crest Audio, do you have a link?

[jrlouie]

Typically my source is my Pioneer DVD player. Obviously for regular TV it's satellite running from my VCR but for CD/DVD/DVD-Audio/SACD, I play it all through my DVD player. I have a Monster Fiber Optic from the DVD to receiver, unless I'm listening to multi-channel audio in which RCA is used.
The cables from the receiver to amp are a bit odd. After looking at the link below, you'll probably notice that the amp is not something typically found at common audio shops. It's actually designed to be used in a professional manner (I used to DJ ;) ). The inputs on the back are actually balanced TRS 1/4 inch inputs (resembles a 1/4 inch headphone jack). My mistake on listing 1/8 inch above. Being an analog input, the other end of the cables are RCA to connect to my receiver. So that would be the type of connections I have to my amp.
I'll definitely look into upgrading at the minimum my interconnects.
Thanks again for your help!

Crest Audio
There base web-page...
http://www.crestaudio.com/products/

Here's a brochure. Although the Vs650 is discontinued, this lists the Multiplex 900 which would be their closest new model to what I have, just beefed up a bit more.
http://www.crestaudio.com/media/pdf/cinema_bro_mar98.pdf

[nemos2]

A little more on speaker positioning...

I have the Lsi15's as well, and they are a little picky about the position that they sit in ...( at least in my room ). I found that they sounded best when they were at least 26 inches away from the back wall, and a good 30 inches from the side walls.....You may not be able to do that... but if you can it's worth a shot..

good luck!

[jrlouie]

I wanted to ask one more thing about the speaker cables. I see throughout the forums that sometimes Monster Cable isn't looked upon as a good choice for the LSi15's. Does this still stand true even if your speakers are bi-wired therefore essentially doubling the gauge seen by the speakers?
I'm just curious as I really don't know how significant the cable upgrades are (due to my ignorance on the subject).

If it's a drastic difference, I can't wait to hear it :)

[F1nut]

IMO, Monster cables are not looked upon as good for any gear, but some folks say their TOTL wire is ok. Start with better interconnects, they make more of a difference than speaker wire.

[jrlouie]

Anyone know where I could locate (used or new) a good set of "1/4 inch TRS" to RCA interconnects?
Or maybe several respectable companies to ask if they carry?

If you'd like an example of what I currently have and trying to upgrade, look at this link...
http://www.hosatech.com/hosa/products/CPR-200.html

Thanks!

[cfrizz]

It's all a matter of personal preference. I got Monster 850M between my receiver & CD player. This was my first intro to the difference between real interconnects vs POS interconnects that come in the box. It was the recommendation from the salesman at Tweeter who suggested it when I told him what I had for equipment.

It made a huge difference, the bass in my cd's was suddenly much more pronounced, and clarity was much better as well.
It was 80.00 well spent. But on the whole I don't believe in spending almost as much money for interconnects as I would on say a CD player.

So when I upgraded the rest of my interconnects I went with Blue Jeans Cable, which was much more reasonable. They are well made and a heck of a lot better than the crap I had before.
I am satisfied that these are letting my equipment operate to it's full potential & I didn't put myself in the poor house getting them.

So figure out how much you're willing to spend and go from there.

Good luck!:D