What about this setup

[jeep123]

Looking for a setup to replace an old bose htib. 40% tv, 30%movies, 30% music, large room with high ceilings. The surround speakers have been wired through the walls, the placement is a bit further out than would be ideal.

Denon 1712 open box (new)
Yamaha CDC 697
Lsi 15 Fronts + Center
Mirage nanosat satellites (the criteria for these was lower price, and smaller in size)
PSW 125

Thoughts?

[falconcry72]

Hey, jeep, welcome to CP!

lots of good info here... get your search on!


That Denon will not give the LSi's the power they need to get the most out of'em. They'll play... but the Denon will be strained, and you would risk damaging the speakers or receiver at higher volumes. LSi series speakers are power hungry and need amplification that's comfortable at 4ohms and below. Unfortunately, that Denon does not have pre-outs, so you couldn't add an external amp.

Here's my take:

- If you're set on the Denon, then look at the Polk RTi's for speakers.

- If you're set on the LSi's, then look at a different receiver or receiver + external amp.

[jeep123]

Thanks for the reply. I picked the denon because I have a similar (1611) model that I like very much and familiar with it. The setup is for a family member. I picked the Lsi's over the rti models because of the seemingly great deals available out there from places like acoustics sound design. The rti models (A7/A9) seem pretty pricey compared to some of the deals on new Lsi 15s.

Now are there any suggestions for a different receiver? The denon I have seems to do everything I want, but like you mentioned the Lsis are much more power hungry...are there other all in one options for an avr that are not overly expensive? I'd like to stay at a reasonable price range here, but there is some wiggle room.

I'm personally running into a similar issue. I will be in the near future be purchasing a set of stereo speakers for myself, and am really looking at magnepan mmg's even though they aren't optimal for tv/ht. My roommate has a pair and they are superb with music...he is using monoblock emotiva amps. My 1611 is obviously underpowered but I'm sort of under a budget crunch. Probably just end up with some monitor 70s on sale.

[falconcry72]

...I'd like to stay at a reasonable price range here, but there is some wiggle room.

What do you consider to be a "reasonable" price range?

People here seem to really like the SC series of Pioneer Elite receivers. You can find an older one on the used market for maybe 6 or 7 hundred, last year's models for 800-1000, and the new ones are like 1100 - 1300, or some crap like that.

The first gen were the SC-05 and 07, then the 25 and 27, then the 35 and 37 (this is when they added 3D), and the new ones are the 55 and 57.

[jeep123]

What do you consider to be a "reasonable" price range?

People here seem to really like the SC series of Pioneer Elite receivers. You can find an older one on the used market for maybe 6 or 7 hundred, last year's models for 800-1000, and the new ones are like 1100 - 1300, or some crap like that.

The first gen were the SC-05 and 07, then the 25 and 27, then the 35 and 37 (this is when they added 3D), and the new ones are the 55 and 57.

Probably the upper end for the receiver could be bumped to around $800. I haven't done much research with other receiver brands as of yet, but still using the denon as an example, their cheapest amp with pre outs, the 3312 can be had for $799 open box from electronics expo.

As far as amps, this is an additional piece that wasn't really budgeted for. The emotiva xpa-3 seems like a good option for 700, to power the Fronts and center. Or should I just get a stereo amp and let the center get powered by the receiver?

[falconcry72]

...Probably the upper end for the receiver could be bumped to around $800.

You can find the Pioneer Elite SC-35 for that, new or refurb, with warranty, if you look around. That receiver will be able to power the LSi's nicely... not as well as an external amp, but nicely nonetheless, and convincingly better than that Denon. It's rated at 140 WPC, and uses Class D ICE amps.

...Or should I just get a stereo amp and let the center get powered by the receiver?

You should have the fronts and center powered the same way, so that Emo 3 channel amp is a good idea, if you must buy new. The XPA-5 is only 899, so it might be worth it to splurge there.

If you're willing to go used, there are plenty of other good amp options.

If you get that Elite receiver, you could use it comfortably for an indefinite amount of time and then add the external amp sometime down the line... but you wouldn't be in a rush.

Good luck!

[jeep123]

You can find the Pioneer Elite SC-35 for that, new or refurb, with warranty, if you look around. That receiver will be able to power the LSi's nicely... not as well as an external amp, but nicely nonetheless, and convincingly better than that Denon. It's rated at 140 WPC, and uses Class D ICE amps.



You should have the fronts and center powered the same way, so that Emo 3 channel amp is a good idea, if you must buy new. The XPA-5 is only 899, so it might be worth it to splurge there.

If you're willing to go used, there are plenty of other good amp options.

If you get that Elite receiver, you could use it comfortably for an indefinite amount of time and then add the external amp sometime down the line... but you wouldn't be in a rush.

Good luck!

Thank you for all the help.

Basically down to just a few choices left.

1. Go for the Denon 3312 vs the pioneer you suggested SC 35
OR
Save some dough and stick with the Yamaha RX v667 which has pre outs and is only priced at around $400 or less

2. Go with an XPA-3 vs XPA-5

Thanks again!