Need recommendation on receiver choice for Lsi setup

[Greg Sattler]

I will be running the following 5.1 setup:

Lsi25's - fronts
Lsi7's - surrounds
LsiC - center
PSW1000 subwoofer

I know the Lsi series is power hungry and I would like to hear what you guys think an appropriate receiver choice would be to drive this particular setup.
Thanks.

[Shannon W.]

Sunfire Ultimate II. (Look on eBay or Audiogon for one used) don't try to run them off some everyday run of the mill receiver like I did, you will only be disappointed. I would even try to go separates, your LSi's will thank you later.

Shannon

[polkatese]

Here is a starting point, guaranteed to make your LSi's sing.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71784

Receiver that would drive LSis good are from the following manufacturers: Rotel, SunFire, B&K, Outlaw, and of course the big boys: Krell, McIntosh, etc.

[haimoc]

I have an Arcam Preamp/Processor AVP700 and Rotel 1075 amplifier. If you are interested in both of them, please let me know.

[Shannon W.]

Here is a starting point, guaranteed to make your LSi's sing.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71784

Receiver that would drive LSis good are from the following manufacturers: Rotel, SunFire, B&K, Outlaw, and of course the big boys: Krell, McIntosh, etc.

Thats a would be a great place to start and a heck of a price..
Shannon

[ben62670]

first wlcome to Club Polk.
Amp, and a Pre. Why spend a huge amount on an AVR when that is the main piece of gear that gets out dated the fastest?
?
Ben

[Greg Sattler]

Thats a would be a great place to start and a heck of a price..
Shannon

Thanks guys. I should have given more detail before but I was pressed for time. Anyway, what I originally had in mind was an Onkyo 706/806/876/906 for the pre-processor along with an Emotiva XPA-5 amp.

Thoughts?

[hockeyboy]

That would be fine.

[treitz3]

Hmmm, I beg to differ. The Onkyo of days gone used to be good to great sound. I tried the $1400.00 model and it was in the loop for about 15 minutes and then back to the store.

Don't mean to be blunt but you wanted my thoughts. Well, there they are. ;)

[Greg Sattler]

Thanks guys. I should have given more detail before but I was pressed for time. Anyway, what I originally had in mind was an Onkyo 706/806/876/906 for the pre-processor along with an Emotiva XPA-5 amp.

Thoughts?

As a side note to this discussion, would there be a problem with running an amplifier, like the one mentioned above, on the same circuit (wall outlet) as the LSi25's since they have a powerd sub, or do I need to have a dedicated circuit put in for either the amp or the 25's? I don't want to trip the breaker all the time.

[curved]

What size circuit are you running on? I'm having my electrician (good buddy :D) run me a seperate 20 amp circuit for my amp and avr. My TV, DVD, etc will be on the same on as it's on now. Also upgrading wall outlets in both.

[iskandam]

I'm using the HK AVR 247 as a pre/pro until the UMC-1 comes out (hopefully by the end of the year) with XPA-5. If you can save, I'd highly recommend getting the MPS-2 instead. You wouldn't believe the level of sound you'll get with LSi + MPS-2 combo

[Greg Sattler]

What size circuit are you running on? I'm having my electrician (good buddy :D) run me a seperate 20 amp circuit for my amp and avr. My TV, DVD, etc will be on the same on as it's on now. Also upgrading wall outlets in both.

Well, I am actually in the process of acquiring all my gear at once.....I like it quick and painful all at one time:D so I am not actually running anthing at the moment.

What I have currently is just a standard 15 amp circuit. I too would be running everything (TV, DVD, amp, pre-pro/avr, etc) off of this circuit as well which is why I am wondering if one circuit can handle all of the equipment

Do you think everything could all be run on a single 15 amp or do I need one or more dedicated 15/20 amp circuits?

[Greg Sattler]

I'm using the HK AVR 247 as a pre/pro until the UMC-1 comes out (hopefully by the end of the year) with XPA-5. If you can save, I'd highly recommend getting the MPS-2 instead. You wouldn't believe the level of sound you'll get with LSi + MPS-2 combo

I read that the UMC-1 and XMC-1 are due out by year end. I have not done a whole lot of reading about them though. Does anyone have any thoughts about how these may compare to a mid range reciever (~$1500) as a pre-pro.

I also was mainly considering the XPA-5 as I only have a 5.1 setup. I don't forsee a 7.1 or anything else in the future, at least in my current house. Unfortunately I don't really have a spot for the other two speakers. At any rate you think the MPS-2 would sound better than the XPA-5? How come? Thanks.

[cfrizz]

Welcome to Club Polk Greg.

Just get the XPA-5 and be done with it!

[ben62670]

The Emotiva is discontinued:( the replacement should be in later this year.
Ben

[mmadden28]

For my HT, I'm using the Onkyo 805 as pre-pro, and the Emotiva XPA-5 for the amp, and I think it sounds awesome--Now I'm not running my LSi-9s on that rig, but I have had them on there running with no problems.
If you go the 5 channel amp route, you can use the two rear amp channels in the Onkyo if you decide to go 7.1.
As far as Circuit size-I have my entire HT rig on one 15 amp outlet right now (that apparently also has a light and ceiling fan on it), and it's running fine. Of course I am going to be running a separate circuit very soon, if for nothing else to help eliminate any possible power quality/noise issues. I've measured the setup to pull about 11 amps max when watching a DVD, very loud.

[MikeC78]

The Emotiva is discontinued:( the replacement should be in later this year.
Ben

According to the website they are available.

[mmadden28]

According to the website they are available.

Ben are you thinking about the MPS-1 vs MPS-2?

[curved]

I would personally put in another 20amp circuit (especially if you're already spending the kind of money that you are) and upgrade the outlet. I also agree with iskandam. The MPS-2 is a beast!!! It's quite a bit more powerful than the XPA-5. Granted you said you're not going with a 7-channel, but I would use 4 channels for the front 2 channels. Then you're left with center and two rears.

[iskandam]

I read that the UMC-1 and XMC-1 are due out by year end. I have not done a whole lot of reading about them though. Does anyone have any thoughts about how these may compare to a mid range reciever (~$1500) as a pre-pro.

I also was mainly considering the XPA-5 as I only have a 5.1 setup. I don't forsee a 7.1 or anything else in the future, at least in my current house. Unfortunately I don't really have a spot for the other two speakers. At any rate you think the MPS-2 would sound better than the XPA-5? How come? Thanks.

The UMC-1/MPS-2 combo should smoke any flagship receiver out there. I only had a 5.1 LSi set up too when I had the MPS-1 so I used the remaining 2 channels to bi-amp my LSi15s. Doing that really opened them up to levels I never thought possible with that set up. In my experience, having owned both the MPS-1 and XPA-5, the MPS-2 is the best match with LSi in every area - imaging, soundstaging, clarity, detail, and bass extension. There is a reason why it cost twice as much and imo it's worth every penny. Just make sure you have a dolly or something, I almost broke my back carrying that beast into my rack

If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't have replaced the MPS-1 with XPA-5. It wasn't until I brought Ben's silver ICs and cables into my rig that I felt the sound approached some of the greatness of the MPS-1.

I ran everything on a 15 Amp circuit with no problems at all, but after reading DarqueKnight's detailed analysis of the benefits of going with multiple 20A circuits I will be heading in that direction after my wallet recovers from the upcoming UMC-1 purchase :)