Small Bedroom Setup (LSi7, pro400), what to push it?

[Keyser)Soze]

Howdy, after recently completing a pretty decent HT setup, i've recently changed my attention to a 2-channel setup for music in the bedroom/study room (college). I got a great deal on some LSi7's and either the pro400 or psw1000 (depends on if a work friend sells me the 1000) - the bedroom is about a 12 by 14 square w/ carpet.

I was inquiring what to power these with, my budget is around $300. My source is going to be a high-end desktop with a soundcard capable of both optical output or a pretty decent rca output. Material will be high bit-rate (256+ kbps or flac) mp3 files for the most part.

Two units I was looking at were:

Emotiva UPA-2 pushed by the RCA outs on soundcard ($300ish)
http://emotiva.com/upa2.shtm

or

Harman Kardon HK3490 pushed by the optical out ($300ish again)
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?cat=REC&sType=C&prod=HK+3490


The emotiva appears to have the edge on power/THD, but I'm not sure I'll need all that much in a room such as this, or even if I expand to, say, a 20x20 + bedroom later.

So the question is, which do you prefer and why? Else, am I missing a better amp or receiver out there? I appreciate any and all advice, and will try to respond asap if I left anything out.

[Zero]

This is going to be totally self promoting, but I have a Cambridge A540 Version 2 integrate that's up for sale for only $250.00 that will do the job splendidly. In fact, I bought it primarily for use with the PC (hooked up to an E-MU1212M sound-card). It works great with the LSi's and has a pre-out for the sub. Best of all, it sounds quite a bit better than the Harman Kardon. I can't really comment on the Emotiva as I haven't heard that exact piece. Anyways, thought I'd throw that out there..

[Mike21]

Hi Keyser

I recommend the HK. It has more stuff: dual sub outs, AM/FM tuner, phono in.

The diff between 120w and 125w is negligible.

HKs have a good rep for music, while the Emotiva line is designed for home theater.

Mike

[xcapri79]

Hi Keyser

I recommend the HK. It has more stuff: dual sub outs, AM/FM tuner, phono in.

The diff between 120w and 125w is negligible.

HKs have a good rep for music.
Mike

I agree with the above. The HK would be a good choice for a 2 channel system with Polk LSi7's. The features it has as a receiver definitely gives it the edge.

The Emotiva UPA2 works nicely for music or home theater but offers only amplication and can't act as a preamp/processor as the HK3490 can.

The Cambridge A540 Version 2 integrate amp for sale for $250.00 sounds like a decent deal.

[Keyser)Soze]

Alright, I finally scrounged the funds for the HK 3490 and was about to place the order on amazon...

BUT I just learned I can get ahold of a Denon DRA-697CI for ten bucks more than the H/K, brand new. The specs look similar from what I can gather, so is this just the standard denon marketing mark-up or is there something to be gained? (Note: This is the non-HD radio version)

[ph0rk]

I felt the hk 3490 was a bit more cold than I would have liked, especially compared to a yamaha rx-v620. On its way back to Amazon.

I ponied up for a yamaha rx-797, instead. No dac, and a loudness control!

I don't have much experience with denon gear - do you need the zone controls?

[Mike21]

Hi Keyser.

Tough choice between the HK and the Denon. Both brands have a good reputation for music.

The 7s have a relatively low sensitivity of 88dB so the HKs, w/ 125wpc, might be better than the Denon w/ 100w. But, how loud will you be playing in a college dorm?

The Denon blurb states it is stable down to 4 ohms which is what the 7s are.

Ideally, I would make a decision based on audition of the 2 receivers w/ the 7s. If that were not possible, I would take the Denon becuase I used to own an entry level Denon 5.1 and it was great for stereo music w/ Boston bookshelves. I have never heard an HK.

Mike

[Keyser)Soze]

I've decided to spring for the HK, it's in the mail presently, we'll see how the optical option sounds.

The yamaha 797 has cleaner power, but I don't know if I'll be taking it to the level required to notice the difference. I'd also rather the HK process the optical's pure digital out from the soundcard than force the mediocre soundcard to process the sound and output to the Yamaha. Maybe the 797 if I find the cash later.

I heard the HK w/ the LSi7's at a local electronics shop, problem was the unit was broken and would only push max volume? Hope this isn't common :(

Thanks for the advice.

[renowilliams]

What soundcard are you using, I can recommend the ASUS Xonar D2X. I have one and can reccomend it. Here is a link http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/01/13/asus_xonar_d2x_pci-express_soundcard/1