Newbie Needs Some Advice!

[RocketOCannon]

New to Club Polk!!

Doing my homework for my soon to be finished basement/HT system

History:
Have not purchased components in a long time! Early 80's maybe when I was broke but loved music...then life got busy and complicated..still is, but it's time to get back to "Music Nirvana"! lol

Used to have in the early 80's / Still have some if it.

-Pioneer SX-780 paired with Pioneer S-77X book shelf's / College party system...worked great and still love my receiver! Speakers have gotten old . Do not have the sound they used to.
Also had home system:
-Sansui reciever Don't remember which...
-Sherwood HP-5500 amp
-Phase Linear 9500 CD (Cutting edge at the time...my friends were impressed in 1984!)
-Altec Lansing Monitor 14's / Still have them back in CT at brothers house. Love em. Got em in NYC...think they were used in Harry Chappin studio. Can't confirm though.

Currently: Purchased some stuff so far but not in a hurry...basement won't be ready for a while
Thinking about 2 separate systems. One HT dedicated and one basic, less expensive system for the bar area so I can control easier without going to the far side of the basement to manage the music when hanging out at the bar.
- HT area will be 13' W, 22'L
- Going with the Panasonic 65" VT30 plasma
-Main towers will be the LSiM 707s
-Was thinking about the LSIM book shelfs and Center as well...but that might be overkill. ($) TBD
-I purchased Pioneer Elite vsx51...but did so before the speaker choice. I am afraid this is way under powered and was looking for advice on a possible amp choice or if I should just take back and choose one of the heavier powered Elites at 140WPC
- Speaker cable pricing is ridiculous! Have no clue. I want to know if spending big $ delivers results and if there is a way around the retail system to get cables at a fair reasonable price. My understanding speaker are marked up set 100% and speaker wire is marked up waaaayyy north of that! Don't know the truth though.

So, thats some basic info. Keep in mind I understand that the choices will be mine to make based on what my ears like etc...but...Anything I get at these levels once set up right is going to be bliss for me. What I need is some basic starting points, tips, advice, recommendations, ideas etc to try and eliminate as many problems as possible. I welcome any and all info. I am blown away by how much some of you know! would love to know if anyone knows where I can get a listen to the LSiM line...somewhere in E. PA.

Cheers!

[chumlie]

Definitly take the vsx51 back if at all posible. Not enough power and no preouts for external amp. I would go with one of the sc series. Should work for your HT and 2nd zone for you bar area.

[tonyb]

.....and even then I would still get an amp for those speakers, but a receiver with preouts is a must have. Now, on to cables. Take a look at Signal cables, the analog2's for interconnects specifically. Talk to Frank, tell him your a member here and he will most likely throw you a discount. He can set you up with all your cables. Nice guy, not overpriced, and not Walmart garbage either. This would be a good start for anyone. Cables are like 33 flavors, there's one for every taste. I'm confident Signal cable will be pleasing to your ears until it's time to move up.

OOPS....forgive my manners, Welcome my friend, cruise the forum, read up, stick around and have some fun.

[RocketOCannon]

Chumlie,

Thanks for the reply and info...that was an option I am looking at...going to see if they will take back tomorrow.

Any idea what level of power the LSiM 707s like to run at..WPC? I hear they are kind of power hungry. If anyone has any comments good or bad about the Pioneer Elite line please share it. If there are any recommendations for a different receiver that might suit my needs as laid out above...that would be helpful as well.


Just remembered I also had a Tandberg 3034 casette deck as well on my old home system. Its fun surfing some of the vintage stuff!

[RocketOCannon]

Tony,
Good starting point for cables. Thanks! I will be around...I got the sound "Bug"! lol Fun to start learning all over again.

[tonyb]

I can't stress this enough my friend, power those speakers adequately. Do not try and run them on a 500 buck receiver, unless you don't value your investment. Most any receiver with preouts and the bells and whistles you want will do, providing you add an amp. Look for a used B&k, Parasound, Adcom, Sunfire, just to get started.

[George Grand]

If those are Model 14, they are horn Altecs that are fairly efficient. In some circles those are just about the cream of the crop. Not mine. Have fun.

[RocketOCannon]

Tony,

Did some quick homework on the Signal cables...great reviews..When time to purchase Frank will be my first call.
Got it on the receiver/power sources...will do.

The Altecs are big 2 ways...a 12" woofer and a big horn. They are a little shrill at times but with the right set up they are really nice and I still can't believe the sound that comes from 2 speakers. I can't believe 30 years have gone by! lol

Thanks again! this is all helpful and I am taking notes.

[Tour2ma]

ROC,
First, let me add my welcome...

Second, slo-o-o-ow down. Not really sensing a plan here as much as an urge to scratch a 20-something, audio itch. As desirable as your LSiM's may be, this may not be the time to go after them.

Couple specific thoughts...

1. Check out your old Pioneer speakers. Very likely that the woofer surrounds are shot. "Foam rot" is a common, vintage speaker ailment, but is neither a tough nor an expensive fix. The more of your old gear you can use for your bar area rig, the more you can focus your fundage on your HT.
2. Did not even see a sub mentioned in your HT line-up. Consider putting a fair chunk of your budget here. In addition to supplying significant ****s and giggles, it will let you get away with smaller mains (even bookies) for a start. Later on, in phase II, they can move to rears in a 7.1 set up.
3. Think used... most bang for your buck. Flipping your way to your dream rig is a viable path.

[tonyb]

Second, slo-o-o-ow down.

LOL....Yeah.....sounds like he just had sex for the first time.

[RocketOCannon]

Tour, Tony,

LOL
Soo right on here...I'm like a obsessed kid itching for my new toys! Im all over the place...lol...but you guys know it as well as anyone...the "Bug" gets you! But I will slow down and think decisions through. I have plenty of time and other then the 707's which I have already bought....I am in no hurry. I would like to get a better handle on the receiver amp targets so I can start a more detailed look.

Funny things is...i was just on line surfing and got all frothy in the mouth because I saw a Pioneer SX1980 & SX1050 receiver on line...although certainly not the McIntosh legend of lore...i love the old Pioneer receivers. I saw these two and told myself somehow, some way I will buy one. The nostalgia, pure power, looks have me dialed in. This will be a project for down the road but just confirms your observations...all over the place is right... lol

Sub - I was looking at going with the Micropro 3000, maybe 1000...maybe you can share some insight as to the differences between the Micro and the other Polk subs...

My first order of business is to get the HT up and running once I decide to purchase and the basement is ready...even if $ is an issue for what I want, I could always start with just the 707's. It looks like I may be in the $1,500-$2,000 range to get a receiver with suitable power and or a decent amp on top of a receiver with lesser power. Feel free to throw some model number combos that would work. Used is fine...I just don't know much about why to even look at. I was checking some of the B&K, Adcom, Parasound etc...liked what I read regarding the B&Ks. As I said....any of the decent equipment will be bliss to me. It will become my baseline for improvements down the road. But my speaker choices will be 100% Polk.

Thanks for the replays! To funny.

[DSkip]

You might get better results with the 703 as fronts as opposed to the 707's. Not only should they be easier to power, but they also might work better in your room. Those 703's are gems.

[RocketOCannon]

DSkip,

Thanks...I plan on getting those. Not sure if they will be my backs or not. The room is not a huge space and the sound, if powered right for the 707s and the 703s will be more then enough. I can always use the 703s on my bar side of the basement as my mains on that side as well and maybe some smaller polks for my backs in the HT....TBD

Anyone get a listen to the Centers 706 or 704s?
I was planning on the 706 but could save some cash by going with the 704. I would like to get a better idea of the overall sound differences between the two. How come there are no threads on the LSiM line here? I would think there is enough excitement around that line to see more activity on them within club Polk.

I am trying to see where i can get a listen session in on the LSiM line. I see a couple of dealers in NYC or if Polk in Batimore has that kind of set up for customers to hear the speakers I could drive down there as well. I live in E. PA.

[Tour2ma]

LOL....Yeah.....sounds like he just had sex for the first time.

LOL... been there... Oh to be 17 again...

You might get better results with the 703 as fronts as opposed to the 707's. Not only should they be easier to power, but they also might work better in your room.

Bingo... and put the $2400-ish saved into the sub and an AVP/ amp combo. Buy a pair of LSiM surrounds for use as rears and you have a sweet 5.1 rig. Then...

Nab the 707's a couple years down the road. They bump the 703's to the rear in turn bumping the surrounds to the sides for 7.1...

ROC,
Glad to see you take advice in the spirit with which it was intended...

I'm a huge B&K fan. Their old Ref 50 is still the brains of my HT. And while my HT amps are Sunfires, I have a couple 2-ch B&K's. Very beefy, very musical...

Sub-wise I'm an SVS guy, but in your 2800-ish cu ft room, a couple of the Polk offerings may do you right. Give Polk CS a call and/or post in the Subwoofer section.

Side questions: Isn't your old Sherwood HP an integrated amp?

[RocketOCannon]

Tour, Skip,

My 7.1 plan is pretty much that. I already have the 707's coming...so...I will probable get the 703's next and then move to the surrounds a bit down the road.

Main planning concern is getting the right receiver/amp combo. Probably going with the Signal speaker wire/cable.
looking to go used onAVR/Amp, based on advice here and some research on the subject. I was thinking something along the lines of the Pioneer SC-37 or comparable and something like a B&K amp or comparable. If I can get the right deal on these two pieces it will be a good 5.1 set up to start with....then add the surrounds. I can enjoy the sound it brings... and then, if desired start looking to find upgrades or additional tweaks.

[RocketOCannon]

Tour,

btw...I got the number wrong on the Sherwood amp.
It was the Sherwood HP-1000. My receiver was a Sansui...dont remember which one.

[tonyb]

Sounds like you have a plan my friend, cool. With an amp for those LSI's, and a decent subwoofer, your going to have bragging rights in your hood. Rock on.

[Tour2ma]

Agree...

Keep us updated, ROC... and don't overlook used. B&K Ref 20's look to be going for around $200 on da bay. And a Ref 50 sold recently for ...ouch... $299!

Sherwood made some nice stuff back in the day. Your HP-1000 is a nice little 60 wpc integrated. Perfect for a nice pair of bookies or a computer rig.

[RocketOCannon]

Got my LSiM 707s yesterday!!!
Unpacked them carefully. Big boxes, very well packaged/protected.

First:
Once I got these bad boyz out of their crypt...I was stunned...they are drop dead gorgeous! Amazing! They are hands down better in real life to look at then in the pics. They reek of quality as soon as you see them...100lbs is right...solid as a rock. Hands down the nicest speakers I have seen and touched.

Second:
I hooked them up to what I had available.
My old vintage Pioneer SX-780 (45 wpc) with some new basic Monster cable. This is all I have until I purchase my new stuff.
-Played FM radio....sounded great
- Played The Police on CD...sounded even better!
- The more I listened the more I could hear throughout the range....wow!

Considering the cement basement acoustics and caveman set up...they were awesome! I can't wait to hear them once all set up in the finished basement with the right gear...amp, 703's, 706C supporting them .. etc. This is gonna be one fun trip down sonic road! loll

I think I'm in love! lol

[Tour2ma]

... and so it begins... again...

Enjoy the ride.

[tonyb]

Hey Rocket, be sure to keep the volume respectable untill you can toss some good quality power at your new babies. Congrats and enjoy.