Just how sensitive is the HK635

[DrunkenWolf]

I just got a refurb 635 from HK and so far it is nothing but trouble. It sounds spectacular, but it shuts off-sometimes seemingly at random, but I suspect when the input signal changes-and whenever I use the remote 1 time in 4 it shuts off and refuses to turn back on until I toggle the main power switch-or it will stay on but the until will refuse to accept any commands-it continues processing audio at the same volume. I'm not playing it loud-I'm in a condo-I've never had it above -30db, and typically I'm at -50db.

I've read that this might be a power problem-that the units are very sensitive to bad power, and the lights do dim momentarily when I switch it on-but at the same time, its a refurb-so it had trouble before, could it just be that this one wasn't really fixed?

 

[MDS]

Refurb doesn't necessarily mean that the unit had problems before. Sometimes they are simply overstock or units that were returned for whatever reason, checked and supposedly verified, then sold at a discount because it is no longer technically 'new'. However, HK does seem to have the highest incidence of faulty refurbs of any brand if the scuttlebutt of forums like this are to be believed.

Bad power is not likely the problem. It sure sounds like a faulty unit and you need to return it if possible or arrange to have it serviced.

 

[DrunkenWolf]

Yeah, I've already kicked off the RMA process. So long as I get one that isn't busted I'll be happy-I only paid 500 bucks for it, so I can handle a little hassel.

 

[corysmith01]

Wow. That's too bad. I just had the exact same problem, and also on a refurb I bought from the Harman Audio store on eBay. Three separate times over a 2 week period, I'd be listening to music, and suddenly the music would stop–the receiver would just randomly switch to standby. And, like you, I couldn't get it to come back on without shutting it down (power switch as opposed to the standby switch). Mine was a H/K AVR-235. Very weird that you're having nearly identical problems.

My solution? I sent it back and asked for a refund. With the time it took to get to me, not to mention the hassle of shipping, I just didn't want to take the chance of getting another refurb and have to go through the whole thing again. That happening again is a longshot...or is it? With you having the same problems, I have my doubts. Good luck in your quest to resolve/get another/get something else.

 

[tomd51]

That's a shame to hear, guys...

I thought HK had worked out these issues before now, apparently not.

Cory, I know you were dealing w/some cosmetic issues w/your first unit, sucks to hear you are having/had technical issues with it/replacements as well. What, if anything yet, did you replace it with?

I hope these problems didn't discourage you from buying refurbed in general as I've had great results w/Denon, Yamaha and Onko receiver refurbs in the past (and recently as well). Apparently HK hasn't cleaned up their QA process or narrowed down the well-known problems yet... -TD

 

[corysmith01]

Tom, yeah you remember correctly...I did have all those issues. You probably remember that I resolved them with some good 'ol elbow grease.

But then, the random shutting off was a no-go. At that point, considering I had gotten the wrong remote, the wrong manual, had received a product in, cosmetically, pretty bad condition, I decided it was time to move on. No knock on H/K. They were very reasonable and offered to credit my account, no questions asked. I just felt like I should try something different.

Which brings me to where I am now–receiver less. My budget is still really tiny. But, I've pretty much narrowed it down to 2; A Denon AVR-786 or a Marantz SR4600. Both have pre-out. The Marantz is new/a-stock for $299 if I get the silver finish (black is $399). The Denon is $249 and is a refurb. Both include free shipping...so I'm just trying to decide which is best at this point though. I need something...it's been too long already.

 

[tomd51]

Don't mean to hijack your thread, DW, but Cory, uBid's currently got a Denon 886 (same as the 2106) going for $299 as well. I grabbed this exact receiver a couple of months ago from uBid for my secondary setup and couldn't be happier.

The power is a bit of overkill for my application (but then again, so was the 1082/3802 I had here.. ), but between the Audyssey MultEqxt Room EQ, pre-outs, 100Wx 7, Denon flexibility I've come to really love (miss some of those features using my 2500 in my main HT) and the cosmetics, this one heck of a receiver for this price.

I think you'd have a hard time topping this performance of this receiver for less than $400-500... -TD