AV Receiver for 2 Channel Audio?

[JasonQ997]

Hello -- I am new as a member here but I have for a long time admired this website and this forum.

I am currently looking at purchasing a Harman Kardon HK 3490 Stereo Receiver. The key features I like about this unit are that it has a digital input, a competent DAC and a reasonably robust amplifier. I am only interested in music for this system so speakers are the priority (2 channel only!). I intend to build a budget media oriented PC that has a motherboard with a digital output. I like the simplicity of connecting the PC directly to the receiver sending a simple PCM signal without fancy sound cards/DACs in the middle. A wide variety of speakers are possibilities with this system. Right now I live in a small apartment, but I want something that is versatile.

I am wondering if instead of the above model there are other (possibly cheaper/older) AV receivers that would be just as good or better for this kind of job. I also want something that can act as an excellent DAC/Preamp if I choose to add a more powerful external amplifier in the future (this is very likely). Any model suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[mibson]

2 ch

I had a similar question a month ago,

Im a rookie with little knowlege but if you want a system just for your appt/condo , then go for that amp only,

If you need the power to run large, perhaps 4ohm, speakers,if you move to a house, you need a power amp to run the mains, and then use the av amp(I want to start a trend, saying "amp" not "receiver") for the rest... (assuming 2ch music is a priority)....

 

[JerryLove]

The digital connectors first came out on consumer gear around 1990 (that's when Pioneer put them on anyway, I believe most of the industry was about the same time).

The real question is going to be "is there a significant difference in DAC quality given consumer receivers from 1990-2009, and if so what and where"). Sadly, I don't know the answer to that question; or I would tell you.

If you change your mind and decide to do DAC in the PC, you can get most any amplifier from the beginning of time forward... but because you need to convert the optical connection.

Or you could buy an external DAC and then use any receiver/amp you wanted. Those seem to be expensive too.

Hopefully someone can be more specific than I can.

 

[WmAx]

Look on the HK website for factory refurbs direct from HK. Sometimes they will have great deals on last year's model, factory refurbished.

I would point out that it is best to get a stereo receiver with direct AMP IN-PRE OUT exchange loop on the back of the unit. This is easy to identify. The back of the unit will have AMP IN RCAs right above or below a PRE-OUT set of RCAs, and they will have a little connection/shorting bar between them for regular use. But this is a very valuable feature! This means you can add a high quality active external crossover such as a Behringer CX2310 ($90 new, or $40 used on eBay) to have perfect/ideal crossover between small 2 ways and subwoofer(s). Lacking this feature, that is not an easy option. If you want to have the highest quality sound, you will need the active high quality xover.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Look on the HK website for factory refurbs direct from HK. Sometimes they will have great deals on last year's model, factory refurbished.

I would point out that it is best to get a stereo receiver with direct AMP IN-PRE OUT exchange loop on the back of the unit. This is easy to identify. The back of the unit will have AMP IN RCAs right above or below a PRE-OUT set of RCAs, and they will have a little connection/shorting bar between them for regular use. But this is a very valuable feature! This means you can add a high quality active external crossover such as a Behringer CX2310 ($90 new, or $40 used on eBay) to have perfect/ideal crossover between small 2 ways and subwoofer(s). Lacking this feature, that is not an easy option. If you want to have the highest quality sound, you will need the active high quality xover.

-Chris

Additionally you could add a behringer feedback destroyer to eq the speakers.

 

[WmAx]

Additionally you could add a behringer feedback destroyer to eq the speakers.

Well, if you buy both the CX2310 and FBQ, you may as well skip both and get a DCX2496; a far superior option to both, and it will do both jobs and then some.

-Chris

 

[JerryLove]

Hrm. I think I'd almost use the DAC in the PC (or a sound-card), use the EQ in the PC, perhaps output from the PC to a CX2310 to use as a crossover, and then into active speakers (or an amp, or a combination).

Actually, It's getting tempting to do that on my home unit. It would only cost me about $200. Perhaps after I'm done buying the amps I need for my new speakers, and getting a good projector screen, that will be my next project.

 

[JasonQ997]

Look on the HK website for factory refurbs direct from HK. Sometimes they will have great deals on last year's model, factory refurbished.

I would point out that it is best to get a stereo receiver with direct AMP IN-PRE OUT exchange loop on the back of the unit. This is easy to identify. The back of the unit will have AMP IN RCAs right above or below a PRE-OUT set of RCAs, and they will have a little connection/shorting bar between them for regular use. But this is a very valuable feature! This means you can add a high quality active external crossover such as a Behringer CX2310 ($90 new, or $40 used on eBay) to have perfect/ideal crossover between small 2 ways and subwoofer(s). Lacking this feature, that is not an easy option. If you want to have the highest quality sound, you will need the active high quality xover.

-Chris

Thanks for responding. I've read some of your posts and we share the same ideology (and semi obsession) about music presentation. But I am lazy and not technically gifted, and at the moment broke.

Any ideas on models (new or relatively recent used) that offer this feature? I do like the idea of a big bang for the buck system upgrade and I understand the logic of this (though it is unorthodox). DAC of course can take place elsewhere, but I do like the simplicity, features (remote functions) of the above model.

 

[JasonQ997]

Hrm. I think I'd almost use the DAC in the PC (or a sound-card), use the EQ in the PC, perhaps output from the PC to a CX2310 to use as a crossover, and then into active speakers (or an amp, or a combination).

Actually, It's getting tempting to do that on my home unit. It would only cost me about $200. Perhaps after I'm done buying the amps I need for my new speakers, and getting a good projector screen, that will be my next project.

Thanks for the response Jerry. What equipment do you have in mind with this $200?

 

[JerryLove]

Thanks for the response Jerry. What equipment do you have in mind with this $200?

To be fair, realize that I already have active speakers at the house, so the $240 was going to be the CX2310 and a pair of subs: but I realize now that the CX2310 uses only balanced connectors, and the subs I have in mind have come of sale in the past couple of days.

If I were building from scratch right now: there's a pair of Behringer 2030A actives at a nearby pawn shop for $200. Could plug the PC straight into them.

Ignoring the balanced/unbalanced problem. The idea was:
Computer.
Add two active monitors (let's say $250). Great sound.
Add an external crossover ($80) and two active subs ($160). Awesome sound that will make many people cry when they look at their home stereos.

Could acomplish something similar with an AVR with stereo sub outs (price unknown), a pair of passive speakers ($150), and those same active subs ($160).

I think that's the best bang for buck.

What I've actually got right now is a Sound Blaster X-Fi running stereo component connectors to a Sony receiver splitting off LF to an Energy Subwoofer and sending the rest to a pair of PSB 400i bookshelves. I love it, but wish I could move to stereo subs.