Please help me understand the benefits of upgrading a B&K AVR 307

[Freymour]

Back in 2001 I spent the $$$ on B&K's AVR 307 and it's worked wonderfully. That being said, I've had it in storage for a few years and now finally hooking it up again.

Speakers are all Klipsch bookshelfs except for a Klipsch Center Speaker from 8 years ago as well. The Klipsch Subwoofer died in 2004 and I haven't replaced that.

Additionally, I have a Thorens Turntable hooked into B&K's Phono 10.

Over the past 2 years, I've added a 40" Sony Bravia KDL-XBR4, a Sony Playstation 3 and a Samsung BD-P3600 Blue Ray player, an Apple-TV and using iTunes on my Mac Pro via Media-Link to the PS3.

Given this setup what benefits might I expect to receive by upgrading the B&K 307 to a newer AVR? Or is the "if it works" don't change it a better course of action considering the quality of the B&K 307 back then?

 

[Knucklehead90]

This question is best answered by you. Is connecting HDMI to the display OK with you or would you like HDMI switching? Do you want the Dolby Digital HD sound formats? You can't get either of these with the 307.

A new AVR will be able to switch HDMI and (most of them) can decode DD HD and DTS HD audio formats over HDMI. Your 307 isn't that old - it should have optical/coax input ports - those are good enough for DD and DTS. It also has component switching which may be good enough for 720P or 1080i if it only passes video. Like I mentioned - I could not find a user's manual so I have no idea whether it processes video or simply switches it.

I say use it and see how you like it.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Smart suggestion.

Hi, and a big Welcome to Audioholics forums.

It's time to upgrade your B&K AVR 307 with an updated A/V Receiver.

The advantages are numerous; High Resolution lossless Audio (Dolby TrueHD & DTS HD MA) over HDMI connections from your Samsung BD-P3600 Blu-ray player for one, High Resolution lossless LPCM Audio from your Sony PS3, again from its HDMI output, Full Bass Management in your new A/V Receiver for these digital sources, Automatic Room EQ, Video Processor, perhaps some type of Dolby Volume, Surround Headphone, Dynamic EQ & Volume, Loudness Plus, updated Dacs & DSPs, and the whole enchilada.

* Tiger Direct has the Onkyo TX-SR876 (brand new A/V Receiver, not a refurb), for only $799. It is THX Ultra2 Plus certified, with THX Volume Plus, ISF certified with the HQV Reon video processor, great power supply (actually make that fantastic), great Dacs (6 x B-B PCM-1796A) & DSPs (3 x TI Aureus 32-bit), VLSC for all channels (similar to Al24 Processing Plus, on Denon receivers), Audyssey MultEQ XT, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, 140 watts times seven channels (true RMS power), HUGE main power transformer plus two additiuonal transformers (for the Audio & Video), 53.1 lbs weight, High Current capability with 4-ohm drive rating, high performance output transistors (Toshiba triple-diffused complementary devices), Dual push-pull amplifier design, three-stage Darlington circuitry, Big Quality aluminum heatsink, quality Headphone amp, great Phono section, Quality parts all over with excellent build, ...

* I can keep on and on, but I think you see the picture.
Oh, normally that Onkyo TX-SR876 retails for $1,799, and can compete with Receivers costing up to $3,000.

** Oh, and don't forget to replace your sub. SVS makes some great ones for very little money, so you can even buy two of them.
For a tighter bass, the SVS SB12-Plus is a great candidate (check for sale, retails for $650)
For more output, check the SVS PB12-NSD (retails for $569, again check for sale).

*** And when you upgrade your TV for a big 1080P Plasma or Front Projector, you'll be ready.

))) Anything else?

 

[PENG]

If you believe the DTHD, DTS-MA sounds much better to you and your main interest is in movies then a new AVR will offer you that benefit plus you can switch HDMI. Other than that, unless you spend at least $1,500 or more you may end up losing in terms of sound quality.

If your main interest is in music listening (CD, Phono), then you may consider keeping the B&K and forget about the new HD movie codecs for now until the prices of the latest mass market products such as the Denon AVR4810 (or even the 5308) and comparable Yamaha, Integra models drop to more affordable level a year from now. On another note, sorry to say it but I thought the 307 deserves better speakers.

 

[Swerd]

I agree with what Knucklehead90 and Peng say.

Connecting your various sound and picture sources may be somewhat more complicated than with a new receiver, but if you've already done it and it all works, keep it as is.

Your B&K receiver is very a good one. What you might pay for equivalent sound quality and power today plus all the latest connectivity bells & whistles is, in my opinion, not worth it. B&K has such a new model, the AVR 707, and you probably don't want to pay its price. From what I understand, B&K still uses essentially the same audio preamp and amp sections in their new model. If you didn't own the 307 and were buying a new receiver today, you'd get very different advice.

For what its worth, I bought a used B&K AVR 507 (very similar to yours) about a year ago and have been very pleased with it.

 

[Freymour]

Peng says: "On another note, sorry to say it but I thought the 307 deserves better speakers. "

Point well taken! What speakers would you suggest?

 

[lsiberian]

Peng says: "On another note, sorry to say it but I thought the 307 deserves better speakers. "

Point well taken! What speakers would you suggest?

budget?

If it's 14000 get B&W 800 series
In between look at Salk Songtowers.
If it's like 1400 get B&W 700 series
In between Ascend Acoustics.
If it's like 140 get Behringer 2031p.

 

[PENG]

There are many choices. Some examples are:

Polk Audio LSI series (if on low budget).
PSB Platinum series.
Paradigm Signature series (S1 if on stretchable low budget).
Energy RC series (if on low budget)
KEF ref series (IQ series if on low budget).
B&W700/800 series.

Just too many to name, nothing against klipsch though and many people like them, just not me. B&K offers high end or near high end quality so I would match it with some nice neutral sounding speakers that are designed for truthful reproduction of music.