Looking for a new receiver to replace HK AVR-635

[sygyzy]

Hi,

I have a HT right now with a Harman Kardon AVR-635 (or 645?), Ascend 5.1, HSU Sub, and a Samsung LCD. My current receiver does not have HDMI which I would really like.

What's the best bang for your buck receiver right now? I've done some reading about the Denon 2309, Onkyo 805, Pioneer 1018 ...

I don't have much brand loyalty. I know the Onkyo's offer incredible value for the money but I also know there must be corners cut to offer the value they do. Quality control issues, low quality components, lightweight etc.

I would prefer to spend less than $600 but that's not a hard fast rule. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SlickSnake]

NEW AVR354 Home Theater Receiver

This can be found online for $500-600 which is a killer deal for a fully functional HD audio receiver. Since you have an H/K now, I would recommend sticking with one, and not stepping down in amplifier quality with some other cheaper brand that lies about THD and power output into 8 ohms.

 

[sygyzy]

Thanks Slick. HK's numbering scheme confuses me. The AVR 354 is better than my 635?

 

[SlickSnake]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Thanks Slick. HK's numbering scheme confuses me. The AVR 354 is better than my 635?

Yes, because it fully supports HD audio formats. Your old receiver would still work great for a bedroom HT system, too!

And their numbering system is a bit confusing, I thought that myself.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: SlickSnake
NEW AVR354 Home Theater Receiver

This can be found online for $500-600 which is a killer deal for a fully functional HD audio receiver. Since you have an H/K now, I would recommend sticking with one, and not stepping down in amplifier quality with some other cheaper brand that lies about THD and power output into 8 ohms.

I assume you're talking about the Onkyo 805's power output?

Onkyo 805
Manufacturer claims
2 channels 130 watts into 8 ohms 1% THD
Tested
2 channels 130 watts into 8 ohms 0.0348% THD
2 channels 173 watts into 8 ohms 1% THD
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com...ver-9-2006-part-5.html

FYI sygyzy, the 805 weights 50 pounds, vs. 41 pounds for the 635

 

[SlickSnake]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: SlickSnake
NEW AVR354 Home Theater Receiver

This can be found online for $500-600 which is a killer deal for a fully functional HD audio receiver. Since you have an H/K now, I would recommend sticking with one, and not stepping down in amplifier quality with some other cheaper brand that lies about THD and power output into 8 ohms.

I assume you're talking about the Onkyo 805's power output?

Onkyo 805
Manufacturer claims
2 channels 130 watts into 8 ohms 1% THD
Tested
2 channels 130 watts into 8 ohms 0.0348% THD
2 channels 173 watts into 8 ohms 1% THD
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com...ver-9-2006-part-5.html

FYI sygyzy, the 805 weights 50 pounds, vs. 41 pounds for the 635

no, I was generalizing, not being specific. The vast majority of receivers do not meet their output specifications for 5 or 7 channel, and fall far short of them. All you have to do is look inside at the power supplies in the over rated receivers to see what you are really getting, or not getting.

And I think the Onkyo WRAT amps sound fairly harsh on my Infinitys. On both the Betas and the Interludes that I heard them demoed with. An Onkyo separate amp I also heard the Betas demoed with sounded marginally less harsh than the Onkyo receiver did, though I don't recall which amp it was. The harshness was a lot more noticeable in 2 channel music than in 5 or 7 channel movies, too. But the Infinitys are fairly transparent speakers. A more colored speaker might not show the weakness, or some might even say strengths, of the WRAT amplifiers.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

FYI sygyzy, the 805 weights 50 pounds, vs. 41 pounds for the 635

Jello - Are you recommending the 805?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

FYI sygyzy, the 805 weights 50 pounds, vs. 41 pounds for the 635

Jello - Are you recommending the 805?

It does offer very good value and people have been snatching them up before they're all gone and the less robust 806 takes over totally.
There's some info about 805 vs. 806 in this thread (especially the second page)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1063782

There are a couple issues with the 805 though including the heat issue and some people have lip-synch problems (although I think that issue can be fixed).

My intent wasn't really to recommend the 805 over the Denon or the Pioneer (since I haven't been keeping up on them and don't know what issues they have), but just wanted to mention that the 805 has a very robust amp section. SlickSnake has made it clear in other threads that he really dislikes Onkyo and I assumed his comments about false amplifier specs were referring to the Onkyo. For the record, I've had both HK and Onkyo receivers without issues and I didn't want you to think that HK was the only company that puts out reliable power specifications.

 

[fuentefan]

I got my AVR-247 for 240 shipped here

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-...QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Harmon/Kardon ebay store...if you don't mind "refurbished"....mine came brand new. You could probably even snipe a 347 for a little more...

 

[SlickSnake]

BTW, I forgot to point out. A lot of 5 and 7 channel HT receivers would pass the 2 channel test for power output. It was when those receivers were tested in the 5 or 7 channel phases that they would completely fail the stated specifications they listed. Just an FYI.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: fuentefan
I got my AVR-247 for 240 shipped here

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-...QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Harmon/Kardon ebay store...if you don't mind "refurbished"....mine came brand new. You could probably even snipe a 347 for a little more...

How do you like it?

 

[krotchy]

Slicksnake, seriously, does Harmon Kardon pay you, or does their receiver design just turn you on or something. Its kind of frightening that you refuse to recommend anything but them. At least provide some options when you respond, HK is good but it is not the holy grail.

OP:
Good brand choices are Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, HK and Pioneer as already discussed here. Personally with a big budget I go Denon or Pioneer (and Elites), and on a tighter budget (more features for the price) Onkyo. The amount of feature you get on the lower price range from Onkyo is quite impressive, but when things start to get expensive the brands start to equalize on total feature set and the options open up more.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: krotchy
Slicksnake, seriously, does Harmon Kardon pay you, or does their receiver design just turn you on or something. Its kind of frightening that you refuse to recommend anything but them.

He *IS* a HD-DVD dead-ender...

That 247 looks like a pretty good pre though.

 

[fuentefan]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: fuentefan
I got my AVR-247 for 240 shipped here

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-...QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Harmon/Kardon ebay store...if you don't mind "refurbished"....mine came brand new. You could probably even snipe a 347 for a little more...

How do you like it?

Love it! You can't go wrong, especially for the price.

Looks there are a bunch of 247's that got listed today! Get one!