Receiver choice

[Buckeyefan 1]

Similar poll at AVS...

I posted a similar poll at AVS to see which receivers are most popular. Interesting to see Pioneer and Panasonic leading the ranks.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=3142

 

[WndrBr3d]

Excellent point. You can also buy a refurb Denon 3805 for $679 + $28 s/h at Ubid, but I was trying to list new models that have just come out (trying for the HDMI/XM etc... feature set). I know half of them are not new models, but would have listed them had they been announced.

I figured comparing teh H/K AVR635 to the Yammy 2600 was a bit unfair Since the AVR7300 is a receiver closest to it in class.

BTW, how has the reliability been on the AVR7300? Hopefully there's no "18 month slow blow fuse" on yours. Have you hard that one yet?

Actually my 7300 has been performing wonderfully. The only problem I had with it, was a screw got knocked loose during shipping and was grounding out the amp, so I'd get a "popping" noise when the relay kicked on, and channel cross-talk.

A week in the shop and no repair bill later, things have been fine. Haven’t had it for 18 months though, I picked it up in March. So I'll let you know! Honestly though, I'm fairly sure I'll be able to replace a fuse if the issue does come up

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I figured comparing teh H/K AVR635 to the Yammy 2600 was a bit unfair since the AVR7300 is a receiver closest to it in class.

As far as street price goes, it definitely is closest to the RXV2600. But when you take into consideration power supply, heat sinks, bench tests, there is no comparison. The AVR7300 blows the Yammy out of the water. It would truely be an unfair comparison if there were a $1250 AVR7400 in this poll (with HDMI/XM satellite/etc...). I'm of the opinion the 635 is a closer competitor to the Denon 3805/Yamaha 2500. Maybe HK needs an upgrade - the 840 model.

 

[WndrBr3d]

As far as street price goes, it definitely is closest to the RXV2600. But when you take into consideration power supply, heat sinks, bench tests, there is no comparison. The AVR7300 blows the Yammy out of the water. It would truely be an unfair comparison if there were a $1250 AVR7400 in this poll (with HDMI/XM satellite/etc...). I'm of the opinion the 635 is a closer competitor to the Denon 3805/Yamaha 2500. Maybe HK needs an upgrade - the 840 model.

I think you're selling the Yammy 2600 short.

Power wise, the yammy has 40 watts on the HK 7300 driving seven speakers.

The 7300 uses the FLI-23xx processor to convert incoming 480i to 480p, BUT, the Yammy supports upconversion to 720p or 1080i via HDMI as well as HDMI switching.

I'm a Harman/Kardon guy to the core, so you can stroke my ego and proove me wrong But I'm fairly certain the RXV2600 has the AVR7300 beat in every area.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I think you're selling the Yammy 2600 short.

Power wise, the yammy has 40 watts on the HK 7300 driving seven speakers.

For comparison sake, the Denon 3805 has always had more power than the Yamaha 2500 in multi-channel testing (every bench test done to date). Check out the following bench tests to see just how powerful the AVR7300 really is in 5/7 channel mode. I'm using a Yamaha RX-Z9 since I could not find a Yamaha 1500/2500.

Denon 3805
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/DenonAVR-3805lab.pdf

Denon 5805 (yes, a 5805)
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/DenonAVR-5805lab.pdf

HK AVR7300
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/harmonkardonAVR7300lab.pdf

Yamaha RX-Z9
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/yamaharx-z9inthelab.pdf

 

[jfabes]

For comparison sake, the Denon 3805 has always had more power than the Yamaha 2500 in multi-channel testing (every bench test done to date). Check out the following bench tests to see just how powerful the AVR7300 really is in 5/7 channel mode. I'm using a Yamaha RX-Z9 since I could not find a Yamaha 1500/2500.

Denon 3805
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/DenonAVR-3805lab.pdf

Denon 5805 (yes, a 5805)
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/DenonAVR-5805lab.pdf

HK AVR7300
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/harmonkardonAVR7300lab.pdf

Yamaha RX-Z9
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/assets/download/yamaharx-z9inthelab.pdf

Damn, that HK puts out some POWER......more than the 5805 in multi mode.

 

[WndrBr3d]

Those are interesting benchmarks.

I think the biggest shortcoming of the Harman/Kardon line of products has always been it's DAC. They've relied in the recent years on Cirrus Logic DSP/DAC's for the audio processing.

The AVR7300 for example uses the CS-42528 DAC (Link). The Block Diagram on Page 2 is the exact setup of the AVR7300 except the CS-49400 (Link, PDF) is used as the DSP. I feel this would account for the noise while using a 24-bit/96khz source, since it's a single IC 8-channel DAC.

Previous H/K flagship models (for example, the AVR8000) used dedicated Analog Devices AD1852 DAC's (Link, PDF) with only 2 channels per DAC. To me, using dedicated DAC's instead of a single chip IC can yield better SNR and lower distortion while more accurately reproducing the sound.

But I digress.

I can see your wanting to keep the (upcoming) AVR640 as the front runner for the HK line, but until we see the specs, I still say the AVR7300 would be better suited in this group

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Update

The Panasonic XR55 digital 9lb receiver has about taken over all other units at the AVS forum. Check it out.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=3142

 

[gene]

Damn, that HK puts out some POWER......more than the 5805 in multi mode.

Um, not quite. Check out this old thread on the very same topic:

Denon 5805 Not a PowerHouse

also, please read the thread about ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN and the problems with that specification

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Panasonic one step behind leader at AVS

Update.

The Panasonic XR55 $210 class D receiver is one vote behind the leader (Pioneer Elite) at the AVS forum (total of 104 votes). The Yamaha RXV2600 has a dismal 8 votes.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6418330#post6418330