Replacing HK avr 7300

[Silverpenguin]

My HK 7300 recently began to start turning itself up to max while listening. I experienced this periodically over the years with a slower increase in volume, but now it is jumping up within seconds making it impossible to watch a movie.

I need advise on what to replace it with. I want better than the 7300 in sound quality and I want better in quality. Oh, and I would like it to be a great price. I don't care for a bunch of unused bells and whistles, I want it mainly for watching HD movies, thus 7.1 plus with HD audio would be in order.

My speakers are basically the Klipsch RF-83 system. klipsch.com/na-en/news/photo-gallery/rf-83-system-details/ I went with a different sub for massive rumble. I also added a pair of RF-62 II for the side giving me 7.1.

Now, should I go for separates? Will I be happier with a regular AVR system like I have?

 

[Silverpenguin]

Would the Emotiva UPA-7 be an improvement? How does it compare to the Yamaha z11....or I guess the z7 would be more of an apple to apple comparison. I want it to sound good with my Klipsch.

 

[Knucklehead90]

The RF-83s are very efficient at 100db - not many speakers are more efficient than these. You could probably drive them with a boom box amp no problem. I doubt an external amp will make a difference - if you are using 20wpc (very loud @100db!) it will make no difference whether you are driving them with an amp capable of 125wpc all channels driven - as the UPA-7 is - or by the internal amp from an AVR with 50wpc - 20 watts is .... well...20 watts.

So ... you did mention wanting 'a great price' - what is your idea of 'a great price'?

 

[AVRat]

I suggest the new Denon 4311.

 

[Silverpenguin]

Well, that's nice to hear. I just loved the sound of the Klipsch after years of listening to so many other brands. I also like it originally being an American company. Same with my HK. My budget is $3K max...max...max. It would have to be the deal of a lifetime for me to reach that ceiling. I've been married for almost twenty years..and I'd like to go for another twenty...thank you very much. If I could keep it around $1K I'll be thrilled. It ticks me off that after only a little over three years use, the HK went south on me. Actually, it did it almost from the beginning, but I thought perhaps the cell phone or something was sending a signal, or the remote was sticking...but that was apparently not the case.

I, like so many others, just want the best bang for the buck that will last. I also heard that Klipsh would sound best with my HK. Who would have guessed that the day after I received my final two speakers that the HK would act up again. Now my wife and I are afraid to use the thing for fear of it bursting our ear drums. It kind of makes it impossible to relax to a good movie after a hard days work.

I know I don't "need" a lot of power....but the Leo in me..........wellllll.......

 

[Silverpenguin]

I suggest the new Denon 4311.

Why is that? You need to "edubucate" me due to my ignorance beyond the hype out there. I don't trust professional reviews, I love true blue, real world consumer opinions. I have more faith in my fellow consumers than someones paid for opinion.

 

[Silverpenguin]

Oh, I've been reading where people are suggesting the person go out and listen to the different ones out there...I sure wish I could...but I kinda live a bit out in the "boonies". The nearest place to do such a thing is four hours away....then the selection is sparse at best....and again, I'm a bit put off by salesman hype.

 

[Silverpenguin]

Marantz SR7005 What do you think about this one? Someone just suggested it to me. Also, any suggestions on where to get the best deal?

 

[GranteedEV]

Marantz is a great choice with really quality hardware components. The best choice? I dunno. but - the first thing I noticed when I switched to a marantz from my previous receiver, wasn't its ability to go louder (both receivers were rated around 100wpc, although I'd probably say the other was more around 75-80wpc x2 and the marantz was probably more like 115wpc into 2ch). It was two things.

control - it took some speakers that had really muddy but strong bass, and really tightened things up, giving sounds like drums a more organic, resonating sound. Those were very sensitive speakers too, mind you.

dynamics - it really goes from silence to ear-splitting in a half-instant. I was watching something one day that i'd seen before, and the thing that really blew me away was the sound of a horse galloping. Downright frightening against a black background.

- although in my experience with them the lack of internet upgrade-able firmware without going to a licensed repair guy is kind of silly. This ain't 1975! I might boycott them until they get with the times! Also they could use crossover points that don't... you know... depend on the 2 worst speakers in a 7ch setup. Don't know if they've changed that for this generation (I have a 2 generations old receiver)

Honestly with your speakers, you could even save some money and get the SR5005 from outlaw audio.

 

[Silverpenguin]

Are you saying that the Marantz sr7500 can't update over the net?

 

[GranteedEV]

Are you saying that the Marantz sr7500 can't update over the net?

the sr7500 can't. maybe teh sr7005 can but i dunno, it's two generations aheard of what I have.

 

[Silverpenguin]

Well, my wife just informed me that she would appreciate it if I continued to look for an American made amp. I guess that makes it a bit more difficult to find one in the desired price range, but at least it eliminates many an amp from the list. Any suggestions along this line? What is American made now? Is my HK still American now...or even my Klipsch? My search for the needle in the haystack has now reduced the size of the haystack considerably, but the stack is now a bunch of needles and I'm looking for one that is just an nth bit thicker and an nth bit shorter than the rest of the stack without picking them up and doing a side by side comparison......at least that's the way it feels to me right now.

 

[its phillip]

I'm not sure what companies are either american owned or build products in america, but I think these will fit either category:
outlaw audio
sunfire

 

[Silverpenguin]

Wow....I'm impressed with the offerings out there, but don't know what hype to believe. Anyone out there have the Sunfire/Sherwood/Outlaw stuff?

 

[GranteedEV]

I thought sherwoods were made in china in the same factory as denons and marantz'...

 

[Silverpenguin]

I thought sherwoods were made in china in the same factory as denons and marantz'...

Ahhh....the plot thickens.......

 

[Silverpenguin]

I keep looking at these items on the web when I should be working in order to afford the stuff to begin with. I see amp....and then find out...oh...oh...I need a processor.....then I see pre-amp? Is that a processor as well?

I just started another thread asking for a list of amps and such made in the good old U.S of A. That might be a good one to make a sticky if such an animal exists. I for one always try to go American first. Certainly I'm not alone in this and there are others who would like this information.

 

[GranteedEV]

There's basically like six different things, you only need one or two of them

Pre-amp - to put it very basically, it's volume control. It can also be a DSP (digital sound processor) and DAC (digital to analogue converter).

Pre / pro - it's a pre-amp plus processing of surround formats and room correction in the same chassis. Likely also has video processing and other countless features. Think of it as the brains.

Integrated amp - Pre-amp and amp in the same chassis

Amp - thing that drives power into your receivers after being sent an
analogue signal.

Stereo receiver - Integrated amp with a tuner built-in, may also have some video features

Surround receiver - Pre / Pro + Multi-channel amp

Honestly though, you can't go wrong with most quality brands' options. For example the SR7005 will probably more than satisfy you. It seems that the 7005 models (with networking) do in fact have online upgrade-able firmware, although the 5005 and 6005 probably still don't.

If you do in fact have a commitment to something that's made here in north america, chances are you`re going to spend more to get a comparable level of performance. If that`s alright with you look into

-ATI b-stock and outlaw amps
-McIntosh amps and processors
-Classe amps and processors (made in Canada)

off the TOP of my head (i'm sure there's others)

Or just save money and go Made-in-China

 

[Silverpenguin]

Beautiful, thank you. I almost feel like I'm finally getting a clue at last. I was just looking at those very same offerings when I rechecked the post to see if someone had answered my question.

 

[Silverpenguin]

I love the look of the Outlaw 7700, but their pre/pro doesn't seem able to handle hdmi inputs. What would you suggest pairing it with?