Need advice

[cfrizz]

I'm thinking of getting my brother a pair of bookshelf Polks for Christmas. They would be used with a Rotel RB-850 Amp & RTC-850 pre-amp tuner.

What pair of Polks would work well with this equipment? I would even get a used pair, but only from the forum since I know all of you take good care of your stuff.

So let me know what Polks would work well with the Rotel. I know now that the amp really wasn't powerful enough to give me the full range of sound when it was driving my 8t's. But it should be powerful enough to bring a pair of bookshelves to life.

Thanks,
Cathy

[VR3]

SDA CRS

[Emlyn]

The LSi7s should work well with Rotel's 50 watt/channel amp but that's as high in their line as I'd recommend. Some forum members may be willing to sell some that were made available during the B-stock clearance. I doubt that anyone would sell their SDA CRSs, but stranger things have happened.

[steveinaz]

Agree, Lsi7's or Rti6's if you're not that fond of your brother...:D

[Tour2ma]

Cathy,
How good of a boy has your brother been this year, i.e., what's your budget?

[cfrizz]

Budget, hmmm I hadn't thought that far ahead, I figured I'd find out first which speakers would be a good match first.

I think a total budget of 500.00. this includes getting the speakers here to me, and then I have to ship them to MD to him.

If I can get it done with less that would be good too.

Can the Rotel really handle LSI 7s? I mean I know it will work but how much strain will it be for it?

[VR3]

Rotel can handle the LSi7, no problemo

[Tour2ma]

Agree, w/ Sid... Could not find any current output spec's for the 850, but everytime I've looked at Rotel in the past they definitely have guts...

Cathy,
What would be your brother's attitude towards the smallish, relatively limited bass output options mentioned so far?
Would he like the "heft" of older Polks, e.g., Monitor 7's?
Would he like a sub-sat type arrangement with say the 7's paired with a 202 sub (currently being blown out at CC for $99)?

[Emlyn]

The specs on the RB-850:

50 watts/channel @ 8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, 0.03% THD
90 watts/channel @ 4 ohms, 1 kHz, 1% THD
Damping factor 280

It's rated compatible down to 4 ohm speakers but was a fairly small amp by Rotel's standards at around 20 lbs. Given the 4 ohm rating given by Rotel I'd recommend it be used with smallish bookshelf speakers or larger, high efficiency 8 ohm speakers only.

This is a nice thing to do for your brother, Cathy.

[cfrizz]

My brother doesn't know anything about this. He got the Rotels from me 2 yrs ago when I upgraded. The equipment has been sitting unused since then, namely for lack of speakers & room. But he now has a home office that a small 2 channel setup would be perfect.

I just want to get him some speakers so that it can be setup & put to use. Eventually I will replace my Rotel RCD-855 with the 1072, and send that to him as well.

Thanks Emyln. This is pretty much what I expected, which is why I want to go/w bookshelves, since the Rotel couldn't really give me all the clarity that I now have with my Parasound.

My brother & I have been through HELL the last 2 yrs. First our Mom died 9-1-03 & now our older brother (46) is in Spaulding rehab with oxygen loss brain damage.

Music is important to him (He plays the organ) but likes all types. So being able to come home & relax with the music of his choice on good sounding equipment would help him to de-stress & let him relax. Which is important to me, since he is all I have left & don't need him checking out with a stroke or heart attack.

Pay attention to your families genes guys. You can't change it & eventually it does catch up to you if you're not careful.

[scottnbnj]

Originally posted by cfrizz
Music is important to him (He plays the organ) but likes all types.

does this mean that something that goes low well should be considered?

)

[cfrizz]

Right now I just want a pair of good all rounders that will suffice in a small room. When he is ready, hopefully he will call me for more tips to set up his main system.

[shack]

Originally posted by steveinaz
Agree, Lsi7's or Rti6's if you're not that fond of your brother...:D

Even if you are very fond of your brother (which it appears you are) The RTi6 would still be a great choice (I KNOW Steve was kidding).

Right now I just want a pair of good all rounders that will suffice in a small room.

Either one would be a good choice given your criteria. I think even the RTi4 could work. If you can find them maybe the new Monitor 30 would be a good choice.

It depends on which you are able to locate and what funds you have available.

[Tour2ma]

Shack, Cathy's thinking up to $500, so fundage is not an issue.

Emlyn,
C'mon... The Rotel nearly doubles it's output dropping from 8 to 4 ohm load.. that is not a sign of a weak in the knees amp...

Also when I said "current... specs", I meant as in "peak to peak amperes". I'd guess the 850 is easily 20+, likely in the 30's and may even top 40 amperes, but wanted to confirm. I have seen amp spec's on Rotel AVR's in the 60's.

Cathy,
Fear not, your bro's Rotel hand-me-down will handle any suggestions made so far.
Sounds like space is an issue, so the LSi 7's, RTi 6's are nice choices... with or w/o a sub, but adding the 202 for <$100 would be a nice, fairly unobtrusive addition, IMO...

[dorokusai]

Cathy and her brother are 100% set-up now....get outta here you animals.

[amulford]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Cathy and her brother are 100% set-up now....get outta here you animals.

What did you do, you big softie????;)

[cfrizz]

Doro is going to hook my brother up with some LSi 7's & since he lives in MD, I don't have to worry about shipping!

I've said it once & I'll say it again. You fellas are terrific & Club Polk Rocks!!!

Thanks Doro & Gang

Cathy

Originally posted by amulford
What did you do, you big softie????;)

[dcarlson]

Cathy, best wishes with your brothers. Sounds like they have a great sister looking after them. ;)

[cfrizz]

Thanks D! I appreciate it, and I do try!

Cathy

[cfrizz]

Thanks to Doro my brother is now the proud owner of LSI 7's

Word to the wise though guys, When my brother told him to put them in his garage, Doro heard:

Since this is buried treasure, lets put them in the farthest corner of the garage and bury them under all this stuff so that they can never be found by anyone, including new owner!

ROFLMAO!!!!

Fortunately, my brother is good at looking for buried treasure & uncovered them this morning as opposed to last night when he expected to find them.

We both had a good laugh this morning Mark. Thanks a million for making it possible for me to give my brother something he will really enjoy for a long time. And if we ever need a treasure buried we know who to call!

You're the best!

Cathy

[Zero]

Cfrizz,

Good to hear everything is good and well!

Mark,

You da'man.

[Tour2ma]

doro's mind is the product of years of heavy microwave exposure... it's why he's so "special".

That and he's a big hearted lug...

[dorokusai]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
doro's mind is the product of years of heavy microwave exposure... it's why he's so "special".

That and he's a big hearted lug...

Microwaves? What the hell are those....{DING}....sorry got to go, my timer just went off.

Cathy - It was my pleasure. Tell your brother to join the forum and get his knowledge base setup.

I also made sure you were added to the Good Forum Seller/Buyer List ala Mr Shack.

[cfrizz]

Thanks Mark. When I come down for Thanksgiving, I will setup the equipment & make sure to bookmark the forum so he can visit in the future.

Hopefully we will also have time to visit a couple of audio stores most especially Soundscapes in Baltimore.

[F1nut]

Forget Soundscapes, you need to visit SoundWorks in Kensington.

[cfrizz]

Thanks. What brands do they carry? Specifically I'm looking for:

Denon, Polk, Rotel, Parasound. If I can get all my favorites in one store I will be a happy camper. I get 3 of the 4 at Soundscapes.

Originally posted by F1nut
Forget Soundscapes, you need to visit SoundWorks in Kensington.

[F1nut]

Yes to Denon, Polk and Parasound. They don't list Rotel, but I thought I saw some Rotel gear there. Actually, I wasn't thinking of any of that stuff when I made my comment. It's the other gear they carry that makes the trip worthwhile.

[cfrizz]

LOL! You mean there's other gear out there? ;) Thanks! :D

PS do they have a website & do you have the link to it? The one I tried didn't work.

[F1nut]

No site that I'm aware of. The address is 10526 Connecticut Ave. Kensington, MD, 301-929-8600.....talk to Jay.

[dorokusai]

Soundworks has some real hardcore gear.....I predict Cathy will be contacting us about an upgrade shortly.