HK 254 vs 354 or ???

[korndawg]

Its finally time to upgrade my reciever. I currently own the Pio 1014 and its been a great reciever. However, I need HDMI and some the ability to process the new codecs (WMV, TrueHD, etc). I need atleast 3 HDMI, so the Yammy 663 is out. I've heard great things about the HK's SQ, so thats what I'm leaning towards. The 254 can be had for 400 shipped, whereas the 354 is 10 more. Is it worth spending the extra 100 for the added wattage? It will be connected to my DirectTV HR20 , my HTPC for movie rips, xbox 360 and powering a 5.1 system. The Pio 1018 but i cant find any deals on those and the 1019 is interesting and I'm not huge on the looks of any of the onkyo's except for the 806. Thanks!

$500 is the MAX i'll spend, so if u have any other recommendations or links to deals, let me know!

 

[rnatalli]

What speakers are you planning to drive?

 

[korndawg]

Right now, just av123 ELT's but will upgrade for some floorstanding mains with bookshelf surrounds in the future. Either Rockets or possibly Swan Diva's.

 

[rnatalli]

ELT's are nice speakers, but I remember them being inefficient. I think you'd benefit from the added power of the 354 in this case. For $100, I'd go with it.

 

[CraigV]

Go for the extra power, it’s useful for any speaker.

 

[walmat]

I have the 254 and its plenty loud. It drives my PSB's which are all bookshelf and 6ohm with no problem. My room is 12' x 23' and it fills it with plenty of sound with great clarity and definition.
That being said for the small difference of $100 I'd go with the 354. Both are great amps.

 

[korndawg]

The 354 is 518 shipped and the 254 is 389 shipped. So the differece is 130. If the extra power is absolutely worth it, i can try to justify it, but if I'll never use the power, why bother. Ya know? My room has dimensions of 12x20. Bookshelves now, but I'll be needing floorstanders evenutally for more bass/mids.
If I could find the 354 for under 500 shipped, that would be alot more tempting. I am on a budget.

My pioneer 1014 is great so I'm hoping, if anything, the 254 would have equal power.

 

[walmat]

The 354 is 518 shipped and the 254 is 389 shipped. So the differece is 130. If the extra power is absolutely worth it, i can try to justify it, but if I'll never use the power, why bother. Ya know? My room has dimensions of 12x20. Bookshelves now, but I'll be needing floorstanders evenutally for more bass/mids.
If I could find the 354 for under 500 shipped, that would be alot more tempting. I am on a budget.

My pioneer 1014 is great so I'm hoping, if anything, the 254 would have equal power.

Then by all means get the 254. I've had mine since last summer and it's performed great.

 

[CraigV]

In my experience it’s always better to look to the future. If you buy the 254 now, it may sound good with what you have now, but you have said you’re going to upgrade your speakers before too long. Why buy the 254 just to have to sell it for a loss, and have to come up with the extra dough for the 354?
Buy it now, have it years from now.

 

[bandphan]

you could always get the 254 and add an external amp for about 60 dollars more than the current difference you have

 

[lsiberian]

In my experience it’s always better to look to the future. If you buy the 254 now, it may sound good with what you have now, but you have said you’re going to upgrade your speakers before too long. Why buy the 254 just to have to sell it for a loss, and have to come up with the extra dough for the 354?
Buy it now, have it years from now.

The problem is you are looking toward a more limited future. If you want to really put together a great system over time and for most of us it will take time. Your better off getting the cheapest pre-amp capable receiver with the hdmi stuff you need. If you have a PS3 you might could use a 247. Which can be had for 180 + 25 for shipping via the best offer feature on ebay.

Why go this route. Well it's like putting 200 dollars toward an external amp. Which could be used with a DCX to integrate your subs and fronts. Giving you a great flat response in the LFE range.

Of course it's nice to have a reciever with great features too. When you could get one the Onkyo 705 captured that market IMO. Now I can't tell you what is the best reciever per dollar on the market in this range.

But the point is that if you can live with less now. You can make it greater in the future.

I know you may not be thinking along the DCX and external lines of though, but it is a very good path for great audio IMO. I'm working on that path myself.

 

[korndawg]

Great point. Definately leaning more towards the 254 now and saving the money and possibly putting it towards an external amp in the future. The 247seems like a bargain, but i just don't see it having all the features that I need. I don't plan on buying another one for quite some time, so i want something that'll last for years. The onkyo's are nice, but I keep reading about HK's awesome SQ so I'm anxious to experience it.

 

[lsiberian]

Great point. Definately leaning more towards the 254 now and saving the money and possibly putting it towards an external amp in the future. The 247seems like a bargain, but i just don't see it having all the features that I need. I don't plan on buying another one for quite some time, so i want something that'll last for years. The onkyo's are nice, but I keep reading about HK's awesome SQ so I'm anxious to experience it.

I haven't gotten my HK yet. I'll let you know when I do. But an Onkyo 705 is twice the price for a reason. SQ is more influenced by the speakers and recording than anything else. Audyssey EQ XT is a very good way to improve SQ. I suggest going for features/price and color schemes. I was forced to sell my Onkyo due to financial reasons, but I loved that thing. It was so amazing for the price.

 

[greggp2]

you could always get the 254 and add an external amp for about 60 dollars more than the current difference you have

I agree with bandphan. Get the 254 and get an external Amp. External Amps are the single best investments you can make to improve sound quality next to room acoustics...

 

[korndawg]

Just ordered my 254 from onecall. Can't wait! I'll let u know my thoughts.

 

[KASR]

If the extra cash isn't a big deal, then I'd go with the 354 (I'm planning to upgrade to the either one of those as well - prolly the 254...price is an issue for me.

At a glance the differences are:

254: 50W x 7 channels
354: 75W x 7 channels

254: Mini jack input for iPod® audio playback
354: A/V playback, control & charging for all iPod® models with docking connector including iPhone™ & iPod® touch

254: 2 assignable 100 MHz component video inputs
354: 3 assignable 100 MHz component video inputs

254: 6 digital-audio inputs, 3 coaxial/3 optical
354: 7 digital audio inputs, 3 coaxial/4 optical

254: Multiroom assignable rear amps & preamp outputs & discrete IR codes
354: Multiroom assignable rear amps & dedicated preamp outputs, discrete IR codes, Zone II remote

With the extras you get, seems like a bargain if it's just $130 difference!