Questions from a newbie

[orgthtogod]

Hello,

Greetings to all of you Polk folk! I'm new to this forum and to Polk speakers and have some questions for those of you more experienced than I.

I recently celebrated my 40th B-day and was given a new Yamaha RXV-663 av receiver, very cool! I'll just start by telling you I'm new to the Polks but a long time sound NUT! Got the bug from my Dad at an early age... Aah, but I digress!

Anyway, got the receiver and proceeded to order myself the "dream system" I've been wishing for, for so long, within moderation mind you. I went with the LSI series speakers and now have some questions as to how to sufficiently power it all up! I've got the LSI center a couple of LSI 15's on the way for my fronts, and LSI FX's as my surrounds. Additionally I have a Def Tech Supercube 1 on it's way and a JBL PB-10 I'll be keeping around from my previous set up (I'll be going with a 5.2 configuration). Also, I have acquired some Marantz MA500 monoblock's that I would like to use however and wherever they will work best! This may sound like a lot but it's a rather large room I'll be working with.

Now, here's what I'm wondering, what would be the BEST way to power the LSI 15's with what I've mentioned? I've read every where how power hungry they (the LSI 15's) are and therefore they have become a concern to me. I realize there are many possibilities but I wanted to seek out the "best" method and thought I'd start here!

I really would appreciate your suggestions and would like to thank you in advance!

SO, bring on the suggestions!

[amulford]

Welcome to the club. Nice entry level AVR unit you have, alot of cool features. But, as much as I hate to tell you this, before you hook everything up and crank away check with Yamaha to see if it is 4 ohm stable. If you fail to confirm it, you will fry it. I speak from experience...

The LSi's will please you. ALOT. They are quite musical, but need more power than your AVR has available to truly shine. I know your main concern is the 15's, but the center and FX's are no slouches either.

For now, I would use it for the center and surrounds, but be careful of over driving it. I would use the pre outs on it to your MA500's to drive your 15's, especially if you want to listen to 2 channel music with them.

How big is the room you are using?

[orgthtogod]

Room measures 13 1/2' x 18 1/2' with 9' ceiling....

Just spoke to a sales guy at Showcase Entertainment here in Phoenix, he says my receiver should hand a 4 ohm load no problem although I'd like to here from anyone here who know's otherwise? He says he has the RX-V661 and ran his at 4ohms to power some older JBL's he had with no apparent problems.

I will be using the MA500's to power the L & R LSI 15's and I think I may drop the ohm load to 4 for my center and surrounds. Of course I have an extra MA500 I could use for my center and there easy enough to pick up on ebay. I'd REALLY like to find some MA700's but have had no luck thus far.

[zingo]

Welcome and I agree with the Marantz for the LSis. The Yamaha would run out of juice too quickly.

[orgthtogod]

Ok,

So I've been doing some perusing here and have learned of the Adcom GFA-555 power amp and I'm quite intrigued! What do you guys think of this, running my two LSI 15's with the Adcom GFA-555 and running my center channel and two surrounds with the Marantz MA 500 mono blocks? Mind you ALL my speakers are of the "power hungry" LSI variety... I guess you can pick these amp's up cheap enough on ebay, I've already found a slew of them available at reasonable prices given the reviews I've read on them.

This sounds in theory like a really NICE set up! What say ye the masses?????

Please advise....

[amulford]

If you have three of them then by all means use them. It would do wonders to keep your front stage coherent. Use an adcom for the surrounds, if you want, but I'm kind of anal about stuff, I'd wanna keep it the same all around.

I wouldn't trust the salesman, I don't think he knows what he's talking about. Very few AVR's are designed for what you are doing. Talk to Yamaha.

I say get two more mono blocks and kick it... Here's three for sale now

[orgthtogod]

Well,

I've thought it over and I've decided to dump the MA500's and go straight for a Rotel RMB1075 (5x200W @4 ohms, conservatively mind you).

After the cost of getting the rest of the MA500's to power all 5 LSI's I figure I'm more than 3/4's of the way to a lightly used Rotel off of ebay! So, I took the plunge and bought me one today! I can't wait to hook that baby up!!!

Going to have a dedicated power supply put in to make sure it gets proper power. Conversely, I will be posting my block's up for sale if anyone here wants them? I thought I'd give you fair notice before I relist them on ebay. Is there some sort of "flea market" on this forum? Maybe I'll go that route? I'm a respected ebay seller with close to 200 transactions and 100% feedback if that matters to anyone....

[ben62670]

There you go you should be more than happy for quite some time.
Enjoy
Be

[orgthtogod]

Wow,

What a valuable tool this forum has become for me! So much information and so many new questions....

My latest question is regarding interconnect cables for my newest acquisition, the Rotel RMB 1075. I've already spent a LOT of money (although I did save a LOT too:D) and I would like to try and get the best value and product I can find. From everything I've seen so far that, for me, is looking like Signal Cable.

I'm curious to here from any of you on your experience with their products. I'm thinking not only of their interconnects but I'm thinking of the "Magic Power" cord as well? I've read a couple places that the power cord for the Rotel "sucks" for the money you spend on it and that the Magic Power cord makes a "world of difference", not just for the Rotel but any amp.

Please advise me of your thoughts, experience, etc...

Thanks!

[Face]

I used their analog II's and power cords. The interconnects are well built and sound great, they were just a little too warm for my rig, otherwise I'd still have them.

[orgthtogod]

I wanted also to ask about Audio Quest cables. Any thoughts on those? The guy I bought my Rotel amp from is offering me 3 pairs (6 cables) of G- Snake Audioquest 1ft each for $69 shipped. Is this a good deal? Also, he's offering the same number of pairs for Audioquest Diamondback for $299 but says he doesn't think I need that for my set up.

What do you guys think? I'm really diggin what I've read about the Signal Cable products and I'm not sure if this guy's offer is that great or if I should just go for the Signal cable interconnects? Regardless of what interconnects I end up with I'm definitely going to get one of the Power Magic cords for the Rotel.

Let me know....

[orgthtogod]

I used their analog II's and power cords. The interconnects are well built and sound great, they were just a little too warm for my rig, otherwise I'd still have them.

Too warm? Please explain....

Sorry, I'm not up to speed on some of the "lingo", no offense, I just need to get that in "newbie" terms please.

[danger boy]

Frank who owns Signal Cable has been a good supporter of the Polk forum.. and lots of people in return support him by purchasing and using his products.. he also gives us a discount on his products if you mention you are a club member here.

I used several of his early interconnects for a couple years. they are good... but with so many other brands out there. it's tough to find the one you like and that works well with your system. Although the Signal cables would be a good place to start, and with the discount, it's a no brainer.

[Face]

Too warm? Please explain....

Warm=Opposite of bright or harsh. All my components are also on the warm side, making everything a little too warm.

[amulford]

I think 1' cables would be kind of short. see if they have a return policy if they are. You can get Signals that length, too.

As far as power cords, yes, IMHO they help alot, too.

You might go through a couple of brands looking for your sound. That's part of the fun.

[MADGSF]

I agree that 1' is too short. I use that length Audioquest Sidewinders to connect my AVR to my amp. It works fine but I am limited to keeping those components right next to each other.

I only have experirence with Audioquest and Monster interconnects. I prefer the Audioquest in my system. They let the music detail come through while the Monsters are a little veiled/muffled and bass heavy.

[orgthtogod]

What's the difference (other than $25 a pair) between the RCA plug and the Eichman bullet plug for the interconnects?

Any one try both and know?

Thx

[orgthtogod]

Also,

I'm looking to buy some Signal Interconnects if anyone's selling them?

[danger boy]

i have tried and still use both the standard RCA's and the Eichman's.. i can't tell any difference.. both do the job they were suppose to do. one just costs more. ;)

[janmike]

Welcome.
I found the Eichman's to have an incredibly snug fit – which I like.

[orgthtogod]

Some Signal Cable interconnects with the Eichmann connectors and a Magic Power cord from Frank. He was very informative and a pleasure to deal with. Even offered me a 5% discount for being a member here!

Should have my goods by Saturday at the latest he tells me. I'll keep you posted but it won't be till next week as I leave town Wednesday.

[amulford]

Good choice