Amp for LSI15's

In preparing to make my move to upgrading to the LSI15's i'm researching amps. I've already had some great advice given on this forum, and I know there's a lot of good amps out there by Adcom, Rotel, Outlaw, etc.

I also know the LSI15's want power. My question is, since the LSI15's are 4ohm speakers, is the amp wattage @ 4ohm the important number to look at? If I see a "125 watts @ 8ohms, 200 watts @ 4 ohms", is that sufficient, or do I want to be looking at the wattage at 8ohms when making my decision?

This is probably a dumb question, but there's a huge difference in price between "200watt @ 8ohms" and "200 watt @ 4 ohms" amps.

Thanks for any tips.

tim

Tim you first need to tell us what yor budget is. Then we can recomed the best amps in that price range. :)

Shannon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shannon W.

Tim you first need to tell us what yor budget is. Then we can recomed the best amps in that price range. :)

Shannon

---

I'm hoping to spend in the $800 range on the amp. Also, since this is a combination HT/Music setup, i'm hoping to get 3 channels on the new amp to power the LSi15's and an LSiC. The rears i'll probably let my Yamaha RX-V2500 power.

thanks,

tim

Check eBay for a rotel 1080, Sunfire CINEMA GRAND 2ch, Carver TFM-55x. Those would be my first choices for that budget. My second choice would be some outlaw mono blocks.

Shannon

I'm not adverse to going used either. What does anyone think of the Adcom 5503?

tim

The more watts you have in the 8ohm catagory, the more you will have when it has to push 4ohms! Speakers get damaged from getting too little power not too much power. So the more you can get the better off you will be.

x2

Shannon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tcrossma

I'm hoping to spend in the $800 range on the amp. Also, since this is a combination HT/Music setup, i'm hoping to get 3 channels on the new amp to power the LSi15's and an LSiC. The rears i'll probably let my Yamaha RX-V2500 power.

thanks,

tim

---

I would scrap up about $200-250 more and get a 5 channel Sunfire....That way, when you upgrade the rears, you already have the power in place...You can find a used Sunfire 200/5 for around $1000.....Totally worth the extra $200 IMO....

Aragon 2004 for the mains and 3ch Acurus for the rest, that's what I would recommend and fits right in the budget. As for your question about watts, it's impossible to say because not all watts are created equal. It's safe to say though that any quality amp at 125w@8/200w@4 is enough for the 15's. I'm running my LSi's (15's as mains) with 5ch 125w@8 B&K and power isn't an issue.

Thanks everyone, very good info.

tim

If you want those 15's to really sing ,get a high current/power,, big A$$ sand amp :)

I have a similiar situation... My setup is:

Denon 3805
LSi15
LSic
Fxi5 Surrounds
SVS PB12-ISD Sub-woofer
Denon DVD-900

I am also looking for a amplifier in the $800-1000.00 range. I was considering the Outlaw 7201 at 125 watts but I would really like an amp that produces 200 watts. I saw a used Sunfire on Ebay but I am nervous about buying used equipment. If you purchase a used amp and it fails then you are just screwed right?

Whats nice about Sunfire is that no matter whats wrong with it they say its a flat $250 to fix. But then again THEY SAY... LoL

Shannon

Earthquake Cinenova + LSI15 = Happy Happy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shannon W.

Whats nice about Sunfire is that no matter whats wrong with it they say its a flat $250 to fix. But then again THEY SAY... LoL

Shannon

---

OK...lol

So if I made a decision to purchase this unit...I could ship it back to the manufacturer if by chance the unit is defective?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wingnut4772

Earthquake Cinenova + LSI15 = Happy Happy.

---

Just look up the cost for that amp...Based on all the responses it appears I will have to wait, be patient and save more money to get the right amp!!:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamiestarr1966

Just look up the cost for that amp...Based on all the responses it appears I will have to wait, be patient and save more money to get the right amp!!:(

---

Look for a used one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wingnut4772

Look for a used one.

---

Based on those prices I have no choice but to buy a used one. Never bought used equimpent online. How do you protect yourself to ensure that you are buying a good unit? Sorry if I sound paranoid...lol

Look for feedback and I only pay with Paypal so at least I can file a claim if worse comes to worst.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wingnut4772

Look for feedback and I only pay with Paypal so at least I can file a claim if worse comes to worst.

---

Will definitely do that. Thanks for the advice...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamiestarr1966

OK...lol

So if I made a decision to purchase this unit...I could ship it back to the manufacturer if by chance the unit is defective?

---

From what I have been told. YES. ;)

Shannon

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jamiestarr1966

Just look up the cost for that amp...Based on all the responses it appears I will have to wait, be patient and save more money to get the right amp!!:(

---

Some e-bay auctions below, no affil.

A little out of your price range but seems to be very highly regarded amp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MONSTER-CABLE-MP...QQcmdZViewItem

This would make the 15's sing very happy, just add a mono-block for the centre or 3ch amp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aragon-4004-Dual...QQcmdZViewItem

5ch amp that would power the 15's w/o a problem and sound very good doing it, plus it doesn't cost you much (I have the same amp powering my LSi's):

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-B-K-Componen...QQcmdZViewItem

I have no experience with this one but if it doesn't go much higher would probably work at least for the centre/surrounds:

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Sonata-Serie...QQcmdZViewItem

I know there are allot of people that bash Monster products, but I have heard nothing but good things about their Amp. So that might be an option also.

Shannon

Tim,

A 4ohm load draws more current then a 8ohm load. That being said a 200wpc into 8 ohm amp will give you more then 200wpc into 4 ohms. That is why they cost more since you are comparing apples and oranges comparing a 200wpc into 8ohm and 200wpc in 4 ohm amps.

That being said if I were looking into a high current amp one way to tell how much power you will really get is how well it does with a 4 ohm load or lower. A perfect amp that was 200wpc into 8 ohms would double to 400wpc into 4 ohms since it is half the resistance.

Think of it like a hose and water pressure, if you have tons of water pressure and you double the size of the hose you get double the water. If you had less pressure then doubling the size of the house wouldn't give you double the water.

For example the Cinenova is a power house, 300wpc 8 ohms and it doubles to 600wpc int 4 ohms. Sunfire is even more impressive 225wpc at 8ohms, 450wpc at 4ohms, and 900wpc at 2ohms.

As for specific recomendations, I have had good luck with the LSi series with Earthquake, ATI, Sunfire, and Parasound amps.

Welcome Jamie! Don't forget about Audiogon.com. Right now they have a lot of Sunfire amps for sale.

If you do a search, there are a few amps for sale in CP that would serve you well.

I guess I could link them here as well:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54880
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54704

I'd get that Rotel ASAP if I was you.

Sami,

You beat me to the link on the Rotel! That would be and Awsum amp to run those 15 and at that price you better jump on that FAST! Then you could Bi-amp them and still have one channel left for what ever you would want.

Shannon

One of you in here looking for an amp should jump on this!

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54864

+1 cfrizz

I just wish I could swing it.

Man there are Two good deals for this guy. He must be living right... It took me forever for my amp deal to fall in my lap and he get two a few days apart!


Scotty? I need more power for my LSi15's!

Damn it Capitan! I'm giving you all the power we've got Sunfire and Rotel and I can't give you any more!

Shannon