Anyone have experience with.....

**Sonnie** · **01-11-08, 01:13 AM**

Yep... use your preouts for front left and right to the amp. You will need a couple of RCA to 1/4" adapters... pro amps generally only take 1/4" or XLR inputs. Or you could get you a couple of RCA to 1/4" TR cables. You can probably order those from the Guitar Center if you order the amp from there, which is probably going to be your cheapest find for that amp.

You should be fine running only the one center at 4 ohms with the surrounds.

**jackfish** · **01-11-08, 08:33 AM**

The Polk CSi3 is an 8 Ohm center loudspeaker. No problem with your receiver. As Sonny says, you would use a two-channel power amp, such as the Behringer EP2500, between your receiver and main speakers (Polk LSi15s) connecting them from the receiver preamp outs for the left and right fronts to the power amp using the appropriate cables (RCA male to XLR male, or RCA male to 1/4" plug).

**SteveB** · **01-11-08, 09:52 AM**

Thanks again guys. There is a Guitar Center not far from me. IF the speakers show up I'll pick up that amp and connecters.

**brent_s** · **01-11-08, 10:31 AM**

If I were you, I'd give the H/K a chance on its own to start with. Triggering the protection circuits occassionally isn't going to hurt it. And then you'll know.

For not much more than the 2 channel amps being suggested, you could get the 6/7 channel Emotiva LPA-1 for $450. I'd also look at the Behringer A500, solid little 2 channel number that shows up refurb for around $120 from time to time. No special adapters required for those options. You should also consider Audiogon or our own classifieds section to find a used amp, if you find the H/K isn't up to the task.

-Brent

**Sonnie** · **01-11-08, 11:11 AM**

Brent has some good suggestions there... always good to have more options. I forgot about that LPA-1 that Emotiva has marked down.

**SteveB** · **01-11-08, 11:39 PM**

That Emotiva amp sure does look cool. 115 lbs, wow much be a real power house. I don't think I'm ready to do that though, I'll think about it a couple of days. Hopefully I can get in before the price increase. I could pass on a new center channel speaker for now and get the amp.
If the new speakers don't show up and are correct this whole thing has been a waste of time or at least I will have to start this all over again. I'm hoping that the speakers come through, I've been checking prices from other sites since I found them and the price I've got is far and away the best I've found. I could probably buy these, turn around and put them on e-bay and make 4 or 5 hundred each.
I'm on hold until I know about the speakers.

**Sonnie** · **01-11-08, 11:54 PM**

If I'm not mistaken that amp will probably not go up in price, but rather they will run out of them because they are replacing it with another amp. They may actually have another price break on them if they don't sell out before the new amp is announced.

**SteveB** · **01-12-08, 12:30 AM**

Sonnie,
If you didn't see it, this is what they have on their web site:

As of right now (12/27/07), LPA-1s are out of stock.

We have a shipment heading our way, and we expect a shipping date of 1/31/07 (shipping FROM Emotiva TO customers).

If you'd like to take our advantage of the current sale price, ($449.00), you can place your order now. Your credit card will be charged, and an LPA will be held for you.

Otherwise, we cannot guarantee the sale price once the units arrive.

They are taking orders for a product that's out of stock that they will fill at a lower price than orders taken after the orders placed while the unit is out of stock. Make sense?

**Sonnie** · **01-12-08, 12:36 AM**

Hmmm... maybe they decided not to discontinue it.

**brent_s** · **01-12-08, 06:52 PM**

Quote:

SteveB wrote:

That Emotiva amp sure does look cool. 115 lbs, wow much be a real power house. I don't think I'm ready to do that though, I'll think about it a couple of days. Hopefully I can get in before the price increase. I could pass on a new center channel speaker for now and get the amp.
If the new speakers don't show up and are correct this whole thing has been a waste of time or at least I will have to start this all over again. I'm hoping that the speakers come through, I've been checking prices from other sites since I found them and the price I've got is far and away the best I've found. I could probably buy these, turn around and put them on e-bay and make 4 or 5 hundred each.
I'm on hold until I know about the speakers.

115 lbs? What amp were you looking at? Sounds like the MPA-1 for $1700. The LPA-1 only weighs in at 63 lbs....6x125 or 5x125+2x50.

-Brent

**SteveB** · **01-13-08, 01:26 AM**

Brent,
Entirely possible, I've looked at so many things lately they are all running together. Speakers and amps have become such issues. I thought this was going to be easy. Buy a set of speakers, take wires from old speakers, hook wires to new speakers and voila, sound. It never entered into my or the salesman's thinking about the ohm rating of the speakers.

I'm going to try the HK and see if it will work. I thought too long about the amp that was mis-priced. Should have jumped on that. Do you have experience with the Emotiva LPA-1? I think they look very cool but that's not what matters. Looking at the back of that unit I don't see anything on it about 4 ohms either.

**SteveB** · **01-13-08, 02:56 AM**

Speaking of amps, how does this look to you guys?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ier?sku=481588

**Rodny Alvarez** · **01-13-08, 08:49 AM**

I have the LPA-1 and MMC-1 it sounds really good (compare to my Yamaha RX-v1700).

The amp will run @ 4 ohm load (225 watts) that's the 5 main channels.

They are going to release a 5 channel in about two months, 200 watts per channel @ 8 ohm for $799.

**jackfish** · **01-14-08, 08:56 AM**

Quote:

SteveB wrote:

Speaking of amps, how does this look to you guys?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ier?sku=481588

The Crown XTi is a well respected line of pro audio amps. As with any pro audio amp you are getting something that is built to withstand the rigors of the road and live performances. They usually have a different sound than home audio equipment. There are many people who have had good experiences integrating them into a home theater system, particularly for powering subwoofers. But some have reported satisfaction powering mains with them. For strictly music I would consider home audio power amplifiers with appropriate specs from AudiogoN. But for mostly home theater the pro audio amps can work well.

**SteveB** · **01-14-08, 11:06 PM**

Well, After talking to Fry's on the phone today I'm guess I'm not getting the Polk Lsi15 speakers. The salesman I dealt with was supposed to call me this morning and didn't so I called the store. Found out he's off today and tomorrow. Talked to another guy who said he checked for my speakers and they weren't there but to call back later in the day. So, I call back about 5 pm and am told no speakers. I ask questions like, can we find out if the speakers were shipped? Answer No, not at store level. Can you see if the other store still shows it in stock, Hold on.... no, the other store doesn't show it on hand. Me:So, it was either sold or shipped but there's no way to find out? No. Me: Can a manager access the info? Him: I am the manager. Do you know which manager the salesman talked to? Me: No, I just know he called the other store and they said they would ship it last Thursday. Him: Well, if he didn't get a manager to e-mail the other store they can't ship it.
I guess I should have known this was too good to be true, a pair of $1800 speakers for $500. So, I start all over again or just give up and keep what I have.
Thanks again guys for all the help.

**Sonnie** · **01-14-08, 11:09 PM**

Bummer.

**SteveB** · **01-15-08, 12:03 AM**

You guys ever heard of PSB speakers?

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/clt....ull&1202083930

**Sonnie** · **01-15-08, 12:17 AM**

Absolutely... owned the PSB Image line for several years. They were some of the best I owned. Highly recommended!

**SteveB** · **01-15-08, 12:33 AM**

I found another site with that speaker for about $40 less. Reviews are positive but old.
Sonnie,
Any idea of how the psb would match up against the Infinity M50?

**Sonnie** · **01-15-08, 01:26 AM**

I've never heard the Infinity M50's, so it's hard to say. I know the PSB line is very solid and most every time I've ever read anything from anyone who owns or owned them, it was always good.

**jackfish** · **01-15-08, 09:05 AM**

I like the Infinity Beta 50. However, I like the PSB Image T55 a bit more. From my notes the PSB has a tighter presentation overall, a bit more articulate in the bass and treble, about the same in the midrange. A very nice loudspeaker for $600/pair. The PSB Image B15 monitors are very highly regarded surround speakers and the PSB Image C40 center would be a nice complement.

Again, you will have issues with the PSBs of impedance flirting with 4 Ohms with some program material. So, you now may wish to look at a 5 channel power amp to drive these speakers or a 300 wpc @ 4 Ohms two channel power amp for the mains and three 100 watt @ 4 Ohms monoblocks ($360) for the center and surrounds. It may be easier to look for center and surround speakers with 8 Ohm nominal impedance and have auxiliary power for the mains you like if they are 4 Ohms.

**SteveB** · **01-16-08, 12:18 AM**

Jackfish,
Can you offer any recommendations for fronts and center or just fronts and stay in the $700 or so range? If I max the budget on fronts then something I can add a center to later.

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