HK AVR 247 vs. Yamaha 661

[Maximan]

Due to a financial emergency I have to get rid of my beloved Pioneer Elite reciever.I will have to use half the money to get something else to replace it.Im looking at the 2 models I mentioned.I can get them both for about the same price,450.00.They both seem to have decent features but the Yamaha has alot more power. I also think they both have the 1.2 HDMI inputs,whats the difference between 1.2 and 1.3?

Can you all give me pros and cons of both recievers? Ill be using it to drive my Def Tech speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Due to a financial emergency I have to get rid of my beloved Pioneer Elite reciever.I will have to use half the money to get something else to replace it.Im looking at the 2 models I mentioned.I can get them both for about the same price,450.00.They both seem to have decent features but the Yamaha has alot more power. I also think they both have the 1.2 HDMI inputs,whats the difference between 1.2 and 1.3?

Can you all give me pros and cons of both recievers? Ill be using it to drive my Def Tech speakers.

The 661 is rated @ 90 watts x 7, and S&V measurement: Yamaha-661: 56 watts (5 ch driven/ 1 kHz) or 99 watts (2 ch driven/ 1 kHz).

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/2276/test-bench-yamaha-rx-v661-av-receiver.html

The closest I can find on the HK is for the older HK330, which is rated @ 55 watts x 7 or 65 watts x 2 into 8 ohms 20Hz-20kHz, and the S&V measurements: 66 watts (5 ch driven/ 1 khz) or 86 watts ( 2 ch driven/ 1 kHz).

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/322004163324.pdf

So yeah, the HK247 will have a little less power than the Yam-661.

 

[Seth=L]

The H/K has about the same power, regardless of specifications (even the benchtests for a previous model, that's no basis for determination). Unfortunately, the H/K's scaler cannot be shut off and will scale any input under 720p to 720p using a rather dated scaler design. The Yamaha doesn't have a scaler, which is fine because scalers in receivers are almost pointless anyway. If you can hold out (like if you have an older stereo receiver sitting around) the Yamaha RX-V663 will be out which has HDMI 1.3. HDMI 1.3 allows deep color to pass and also can process HD audio bitstreams from Blu-ray or HD DVD.

 

[PENG]

The 661 is rated @ 90 watts x 7, and S&V measurement: Yamaha-661: 56 watts (5 ch driven/ 1 kHz) or 99 watts (2 ch driven/ 1 kHz).

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/2276/test-bench-yamaha-rx-v661-av-receiver.html

The closest I can find on the HK is for the older HK330, which is rated @ 55 watts x 7 or 65 watts x 2 into 8 ohms 20Hz-20kHz, and the S&V measurements: 66 watts (5 ch driven/ 1 khz) or 86 watts ( 2 ch driven/ 1 kHz).

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/322004163324.pdf

So yeah, the HK247 will have a little less power than the Yam-661.

I am more concerned about the fact that the 330 would shutdown when asked to deliver more than 25W into 4 ohms. Hopefully the 24X series do not have the same problem. Other than that, a few watts difference is insignificant.

 

[smurphy522]

If you can wait a month or two you may be better served by the 663 (the 661 replacement) if you choose the Yammy path that is. As I have read and understand the 663 has a more capable power supply (a very important part of a receiver with respect to 4 ohm load handling).

I can attest that the H/K 247 has no problems driving a smaller set of Kef's nor did it balk at driving my Infinity Kappa's; 4 and 6 ohm loads respectively. That said, more importantly you need to consider the room size you are asking the speakers to perform in. A very large room ~ 1,500 cubic feet or more would be (IMO) too large for either of those receivers to power 4 ohm speakers in. Especially if the receiver resides in a cabinet (vented or not). Also high on the importance bar would be how loud you tend to listen, on average. If you always find yourself turning down the receiver to talk to someone sitting next to you or have the volume in the "+ db range" then again you will be out of luck with those or any $500 receiver.

Note that all of the offerings have pre-outs so you can add on another amp when funds allow. Then you are sure to have 4 ohm stability! No matter what you decide on keep pre-outs as a "must have" for that very reason.

Hope this helps. Marantz has an offering in that range- model 4002, not sure where or when it is offered.