rotel compatibility to polk LSi series

[Ric]

Hi every one. im just new to this Rotel club, and I just have a question that might help me decide better on my future equiptment list. i have read many of your threads already and i know that there are really alot of experts in here! thank God!

Im planning to purchase a rotel 1068 with a 1075 powering it, and im planning to use it with a polk audio LSi sereis speaker system rated at 200 to 250W at 4 ohms. i have seen alot of your setups in here but i havent seen any one using this speakers, i do believe this is a good set of speakers but are they compatible with the rotel?

This is also why im also looking at a NAD 163/973 combo, it has been said that the NAD and polk are a good match, but how are they against the rotels and polk combo?

what are your opinions abt this? Pls help me out! Pls!!! how would you compare the NAD combo from the Rotels. stereo music is at 60-70% on usage against movies with these speakers polkaudio LSi's.

And also, if you can give recommendations for better speakers at $3500, no sub incuded. tnx so much in advanced!

by the way, speakers available in my area are, B&W,PSB,Infinity,JBL,Klipsch, Def. Tech, PolkAudio, Energy, Mission, and Dali.

[miner]

I currently use the combo RC-1070 and RB-1070. Initially they were driving my Polk RT20P (1996 vintage). When I retired my Polks I seriously listened to the LSi series and was very impressed for the $ value (LSi25 - fronts; LSi 9 - rears). The I decided against HT setup and concentrated on the 2-channel music setup. Eventually I went with B&W 804N because I got such a good buy on them or else I would have gone with the Polk LSi25. Many people feel the Polk had gone down in quality in the last several years (chain store sales) but as mentioned I was very impressed with the LSi series and with the LSi25 you wil not need a dedicated sub. One thing I really miss about my RT20p are the built in sub - may need to add a sub to use with my N804.

[Ric]

thank you so much on your quick reply. but i was just wondering, didnt the amps heat-up? driving a 4ohm load on the polks? and also, sorry about the amount but i was in paticular with $3500 in a complete set of 5 speakers already, using LSi15, LSiC, LSi7. sory again and tnx.

[phuz]

I'm using Rotel gear (RSX-1056, RB-990, RCD-1070, DVD-1050) with Polk LSi15, LSi9, and LSiC. I'm VERY happy with the system.

For the LSi line, a Rotel reciever will do fine. Keep in mind that they can dip to 2ohms if you are really pushing them. If you really want to make them sing, an RB-1080 or RB-1090 will do the trick.

Edit: just noticed what you were thinking about getting. The 1068/1075 combo will be great.

As far as what speakers to get, give them all a listen. That's the best thing to do. The LSi line is really hard to beat in their price range though.

NAD Vs. Rotel... I think Rotel has a better price to performance ratio, but that's just my opinion. Get out there and demo some stuff!

[Dmantis]

I agree,
I believe Rotel does a better job then NAD. I perfer the sound quality of Rotel.
I owned the Lsi series as well and found them to be very good speakers. Running the Lsi with the rmb1075 will be fine. Thats a good amp with plenty of power.

Rotel and Lsi go together well in my opnion.

Dan

[Ric]

tnx for that insight phuz!!!

[Ric]

and tnx to you to Dmantis. by the way, is the 1075 enough to bring life to the LSi15's? or if i have the budget, go fort and add 1080 for the mains, while the 1075 for center and surround like what most of you do? wouldnt that be oan over kill for the LSi15's rating the 1080 at 330 watts into 4ohms?

[Andrew Pratt]

I can't speak to the NAD but the LSi speakers use the same tweeter that my DIY speakers use and they sound fantastic together.

[Dmantis]

Ric,
the 1080 would be sweet with the Lsi15's.

Dan

[phuz]

and tnx to you to Dmantis. by the way, is the 1075 enough to bring life to the LSi15's? or if i have the budget, go fort and add 1080 for the mains, while the 1075 for center and surround like what most of you do? wouldnt that be oan over kill for the LSi15's rating the 1080 at 330 watts into 4ohms?

My RB-990 is the slightly older close brother to the 1080. It puts out the same amount of power, and it's effin sweeeeeeeet with my LSi15s.

I use my system about 85% two channel music and 15% TV/HT - so a seperate two channel amp for my mains was a must. I can't speak for the 1075 since I've never heard it, but I will say that I don't believe the 1080 is overkill, and from a purist standpoint a two channel amp for your mains is the way to go. Heck, I'm looking at maybe even getting a 1090 for my mains. The dual mono design and low noise floor makes my pants go crazy.

If you add the 1080 into the mix, you can have 7.1 surround sound!

Just my opininion though. You might hear an audible difference between the two, you might not. If I were you I would take some time and think about your upgrade path in the future, if you have one. If you will go to 7.1, 8.1, or whatever. Think about what is most important to you, home theater, multi-channel music, or two channel music. Then get out there and listen to the stuff. Most dealers will allow you to take things home and try them out for a few days before you are obligated to keep it for good. I'd love to hear a comparison between the 1075 and 1080 for two channel music.

Have you tought about a Rotel reciever/2ch amp combo?

[Ric]

tnx phuz, but here in my place, stores dont actually allow us to bring the equiptment home. and in regards to the stores, its really a leg work on a customers part, for no one has any of the brands together. tou really have to travel from one place to another, just to see and hear them. to bad for me!!! buy the way, you were stating someting about rotel reciver and a 2 chanel amp combo? letsay a 1067 and a 1070 or 1080? Hmmmm...........?

[Ric]

by the way would'nt a 100w power to the center and surrounds coming from a rotel reciver be a big problem when in comes to tonal balance, if your front is powered with a 200w amp, esp. on action movies?

[phuz]

by the way would'nt a 100w power to the center and surrounds coming from a rotel reciver be a big problem when in comes to tonal balance, if your front is powered with a 200w amp, esp. on action movies?

Most folks will agree that having matching power all the way around is not important, and will not create an audible difference. Some will say otherwise. For most people it won't matter, but if you are building a deticated theater and plan to listen at high volumes it can make a difference, especially with action movies.

The fact that you will have solid equipment like Rotel, with real current and power supplies behind the wattage is far more important than having all channels driven by the same amount of watts.

I'm using an RSX-1056 reciever for my center and rear channels, and a 990 amp for my main speakers. I've got no complaints or issues with levels, tonal balance, or any other audible differences. What I have sounds great to me. To properly calibrate everything you'll need an SPL meter anyway to set the levels of all of the channels so that they match anyway, whether you have driven by the same amount of power or not.

Keep in mind that Rotels power ratings are "all channels driven" - meaning it's 100 watts to all 5 channels at the same time. So if you are only using 3 channels, more power will be available to those three channels.

If overall ultimate sound quality is your goal then a true pre-amp with seperate amps is optimal, but a reciever for some channels with a seperate two channel amp is a good way to get the best of all worlds on a budget. It's an easy way to get 7.1 from a 5.1 reciever also.

I hope someone pipes in here and adds to this. I'm no pro. I'm just speaking from my personal experiences and research.

[RebelMan]

I'm using an RSX-1056 reciever for my center and rear channels, and a 990 amp for my main speakers. I've got no complaints or issues with levels, tonal balance, or any other audible differences. What I have sounds great to me. To properly calibrate everything you'll need an SPL meter anyway to set the levels of all of the channels so that they match anyway, whether you have driven by the same amount of power or not.

Keep in mind that Rotels power ratings are "all channels driven" - meaning it's 100 watts to all 5 channels at the same time. So if you are only using 3 channels, more power will be available to those three channels.

If overall ultimate sound quality is your goal then a true pre-amp with seperate amps is optimal, but a reciever for some channels with a seperate two channel amp is a good way to get the best of all worlds on a budget. It's an easy way to get 7.1 from a 5.1 reciever also.

I hope someone pipes in here and adds to this. I'm no pro. I'm just speaking from my personal experiences and research.

I think this is good advice. I ordered a RSX-1056 and RB-1080 for the very reasons you mentioned. It's a good mix of price and performance.

[Ric]

guys, thank you so much for all you advices, by the way to phuz,Dmantis,miner and to those who have used the LSi's, what made you change your set up? evolved ear preference? and also, i got a chance to read reviews on the B&W Dm 604, Energy C-9, and of course Polk's LSi15's all with in my price budget. i know for a fact that the best set up would be based on my personal taste or "EAR", but on an experts point of view, which would give me the so called "Best Bang for the BUCK" using it as a starting point on a reference stereo set up, well not really "reference class", but it could be the start, right? hehehe!!! with off course the rotel setup being powered by the 1080?

[ds22030]

Little late but I have LSi 15s, LSiC in one system, and LSi7 in another.

Few comments...
1. Polk quality may be perceived to be going down because of more entries into the lower lines but their higher lines are great nonetheless....RTis and LSis being 2.

2. IMO, 1075 does not drive the 15s properly. I had 1075 and had to return it for a 1080. 1075 could not handle the woofer tightly. It may not bug you but I couldnt stand the slight bloating of the bass. (Biamping did help but not enough for me). If you want to go with 1075, consdier LSi9 and adding a powered subwoofer.

3. The tweeters on the LSis are awesome. Make sure you listen to B&W and Energies before going on reviews alone....I have and they sound very different than LSis.

4. Be warned of the hidden costs of separates....ie cables. LSis are (unfortunately in my opinion) sensitive to type of cables as well...which can get expensive.

5. I would try to make your system work based on 1080 to drive your LSi15....so the 1056 and 1080 combo should be considered....

[Ric]

anybody to recommend other options??? or is the 1056/1080 the best buy? by the way, ds22030, you recommended a 5x75watts reciver combined with a 200w power amp for the front? pls correct me if im wrong, but i was just shock that there is a huge jump of power from the fronts to cntr/surr when i check it out? pls educate me more on how to set this up if ever this will be my gears?

[Ric]

sory abt that last post, i missed out one part. MY BAD!!! anyways i thank you allfor your help, right now i guess it will be all up to my personal preferences! buy the way, any other suggestions on the speakers i just mentioned? or should i just stick with my first choice and go ahead with the LSi's?

[phuz]

The 1067+1080 might be more to your liking if you have the cash and want the extra power.

Spend some time on www.rotel.com and look around, look at the features, and figure out what you want. It *is* up to you!

As far as speakers - out of your options, I'd say Polk LSi, B&W 700 series, PSB, or Energy. They're all good choices, and all have their own quirks and sound to them. Get out there and demo your butt off.

[Ric]

phuz my friend, thank you so much for all ur advices!!! and to the rest of the GANG, thank you also for helping me out!!! ill be setting this up and hope to post my set-up for you guys to see with in the next month or two. with all SMILES, Ric.....

[ds22030]

Ric, as a clarification, I use my system for about 80-90% 2ch music...I am not a critical HT person so I am not the best person for the power imbalance comments....do a search, there is a recent thread on exactly that topic...good luck and have fun demoing....but I will tell you this, for acoustic music, the LSis are hard to beat IMO if you consider $.