Harman Kardon (moving from 7.1 to 2.1)

[BJG718]

Sorry I'm a bit of a noob in home stereo systems. I have an AVR 525 and I really love it paired with my klipsch speakers. The logic7 sounds AWESOME. One thing I've noticed though is that using the digital connections makes the volume noticeably louder than using standard analog inputs. With this all said, I'm looking to save some space and go to a 2.1 set-up. I may be selling the AVR525 and trading it for an HK3485.

The HK3485 1) does not have digital inputs 2) does not have Logic7 3) Does not have a USB input. What setting on the AVR525 would be most comparable to how the HK3485 would sound? Also, will the volume issue be the same? Lastly, I really like the USB function on higher end HKs. I plan on hooking it up to my computer a bit. Is there another company I might want to look at to find a USB function on a stereo receiver.

 

[anamorphic96]

This receiver should do what you need. As well as having bass management.

http://outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

 

[BJG718]

yea i accidently bumped into that one and it looks great! can someone clarify for me how USB works with these stereos? is is analog or digital? let me try to clarify my question: would this stereo basically bypass the computer sound outputs (speakers or headphone output) directly to the stereo (thereby minimizing interference/loss of quality/loss of volume/etc...)?

 

[MDS]

USB is digital. It carries a serial bitstream.

In order to use a USB connection from a computer to a receiver, you need a driver that knows how to take the audio and output it over USB. So generally you are going to need an external sound card with USB. I don't think I've ever seen an internal sound card with USB, although I haven't really looked because I have no need for one.

The external sound card may have both digital and analog outputs. If you keep the receiver with digital inputs you'd use the digital outputs. If you switch to the stereo receiver with only analog inputs, the external sound card would do the digital to analog conversion and you'd use the analog outs into the stereo.

 

[smurphy522]

The question is best asked of Outlaw as to how the USB hook up is made. I highly doubt that a sound card with USB out is required (not aware of any even, and certainly not very popular). It is pretty much answered here. Also look at other posts within that same forum (The Outlaw Saloon). Good luck.