Which HK/Yammie over Conoisseurs

[mouettus]

All right. I just bough a 5 speakers set of Energy Conoisseur. The big stuff

You can find 'em here: http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-line.php?id=264

...consisting of a pair of RC-70, one RC-LCR, and a pair of RC-R

Now I have to find myself a new receiver to push these babies. The thing is that I got hired in a future shop and I have great discounts on the gear we sell.

1. Yammie or H/K?
Yamaha +: Feature packed, easy to use
Yamaha -: Crisp sound, butt ugly (HTR series)
HK +: Nice look, big power, nice warm sound
HK -: Has somebody ever understood how to use the remote and the menus??
2. Which model of either companies would be a best fit?

I don't need video features at all. DVD player is directly plugged in my tv. I just want something that will be able to push 'em okay!

The only problem is that I've always had a crush on Marantz gear for their musicality. BUT...we don't sell this brand at FS :S I'd have to spend 1.4 grand to get the TX-SR 6001!

Any recommendations? I'll be using this system for both 2-channel music and movies.

Here's a link of what we have available: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/subclass.asp?logon=&langid=EN&catid=10551

 

[mike c]

the yamaha rx-v659 or HTR equivalent and higher models should have good enough amp sections ...
curiously, the 661 has a dumbed down amp section.

HK have always had low dynamic power or stereo output because they prefer to meet the all channels driven specs.

the yamaha will also have more features than the equivalent HK receiver

 

[AVRat]

The Denon or Yammie with the features you need AND pre-outs. Cuzz yor gonna wanna amp wif dos 70s.

 

[mtrycrafts]

You didn't indicate why your current Yam needs upgrading. Do you need more features? The speaker is 8 Ohms and 95 dB spl sensitive in room.

 

[Seth=L]

Yamaha doesn't have a specific crisp character, nor does the H/K have a warm sound. The Energy towers may dip a bit in the impedance, but this is nothing a mid level receiver from any manufacturer can't handle. The H/K or the Yamaha would both work fine. The Onkyo TX-SR705 is another option as well as something from the Denon 2000 series. I recommend getting a receiver that has preouts, in the case you might need to add amplification if your room is larger.

 

[PENG]

The HKAVR745 is the best quality reciever FS has, but unless they offer you >70% employee discount from their list price of $3699, you may as well buy one from the U.S. instead. Or, you may consider the Onkyo TX-SR805 for <$1,000. With the 805 I doubt you would feel the need for more power for a while.

 

[mouettus]

Actually I was more thinking of the Rotel RSX-1057 or 1058. But I just went to my local audio store here in Ottawa and I'll pay 1.6 grand for this baby :S He also showed me the new Pioneer Elite but its strong point is the video capability and as I told you, I don't care for that. The Rotel does video switching and it's all that I need. The only thing is that it won't handle audio over HDMI, so I won't be future proof. Do you think Dolby Pro Logic will be around for a while or it'll die when the new formats take over? Dang HDCP. And would the Rotel be overkill?. Maybe I'll go the HK route. And yes they sound different! lol

By the way, I don't have that much of a discount on receivers. They don't have that much of profit margin (I'm paying cost + 10%). Maybe I'll save like 200-300 on a 1200 receiver that's it.

 

[PENG]

I used to have a DA4ES (Sony) that is supposed to be bright but I didn't find the HKX30 series at the time any warmer. if you really can perceive that HK sound then go for it. My only point is that you may be better off buying from the states especially with the higher C$ now you will save a lot and have more than enough money left over for shipping costs in case you have to make any warranty claim down the road. That can happen, there seem to be a lot of refurbished HK receivers out there.

Unless you go for the 745 I don't think you will fully benefit from the RC70 despite their high sensitivity. An alternative is to get something like a 245 and add a low cost 2 or 3 channel amp for the RC70. Or bite the bullet, get the Rotel and be done (almost...) with it. Edit: I just checked on the Rotel's pricing, $1,600 for the 1057 is way too much compared to their going prices in the U.S. Remember C$=US$! You really may want to consider the receiver + amp option, and in that case I would actually recommend the Yammie or Denon for their well known reliability. With the added amp power your RC70 will not sound bright in theory.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Hi mouettus,

I own a Yamaha rx-v2500 so I might be biased but since I also own a HK6500 integrated amp maybe not...

I like Denon and Yamaha for receivers from what I have seen. In a nut shell...they both have good clean un colored power and you get the a/v bells and whistles included for the money.

HK has reportedly had reliability issues in the past. (You can check the return rates at your store to see if that might be) I have enjoyed th HK6500 but I don't believe it to be warm sounding. Seems pretty neutral to me. (I'm no golden ear audiophile so YMMV) If the menus and remotes on the HK are difficult that would be a deal breaker for me. Oh and I would look up some testing on the amp sections. I don't believe that HK has bigger power per dollar probably less.

Happy hunting,
SBF1

 

[mike c]

i agree. I have yamaha, HK and denon. they don't sound bright or warm ... only underpowered sometimes (but that's just me)

the 1057 is a great looking receiver ... but a bit too expensive for my taste.
I was considering this receiver over a 2 channel rotel pre-amp just because of its bass management. if I do buy it, it will be the last thing in my priority list.

 

[mouettus]

Or bite the bullet, get the Rotel and be done (almost...) with it.

Almost? lol My dealer told me that I would have enough clean rotel power to drive those RC-70 like they were meant to be!

Edit: I just checked on the Rotel's pricing, $1,600 for the 1057 is way too much compared to their going prices in the U.S. Remember C$=US$!

Even if the C$=US$, canadian prices have always been higher. Just look at car prices. Thousands more! It's not just the dollar value, it's the initial Can. MSRP vs. US MSRP. Do you think I could deal it a bit more or he would look at me like I'm kinda cheap freak? lol

 

[PENG]

Even if the C$=US$, canadian prices have always been higher. Just look at car prices. Thousands more! It's not just the dollar value, it's the initial Can. MSRP vs. US MSRP. Do you think I could deal it a bit more or he would look at me like I'm kinda cheap freak? lol

I understand your point but if you buy online from the U.S. now it will be 20% cheaper than if you did 6 months ago. The Rotel looks great but it is expensive; and regardless of what the dealer said you will want to add an amp, at least to the front channel for the big RC70s.

 

[mouettus]

All right now. Think I've made my choice. Considering that I have a huge discount because I work at futurehsop, I think I'm going the HK 347. Worried about power (55W x7 @ 8 ohm) and build quality (reliability) though. Any thoughts?

btw... I auditioned the same setup (RC-70 on a 347) and it sounded fine to me... Didn't seem to lack power at all. That or the fact that I'm used to pushing some Polks Rti8 with a Yamaha 5740 lol.

 

[Seth=L]

All right now. Think I've made my choice. Considering that I have a huge discount because I work at futurehsop, I think I'm going the HK 347. Worried about power (55W x7 @ 8 ohm) and build quality (reliability) though. Any thoughts?

btw... I auditioned the same setup (RC-70 on a 347) and it sounded fine to me... Didn't seem to lack power at all. That or the fact that I'm used to pushing some Polks Rti8 with a Yamaha 5740 lol.

I wouldn't be super concerned about reliability. Harman Kardon typically has good customer service. They don't have as poor of reliability as Sony.

 

[Bluesmoke]

The 347 is a good choice for audio, but the HDMI video capabilities at 720p is attrocious! I returned my 247 because of this. I also saw artifacts at 1080p.

 

[mouettus]

The 347 is a good choice for audio, but the HDMI video capabilities at 720p is attrocious! I returned my 247 because of this. I also saw artifacts at 1080p.

Who cares when I route my picture directly to my tv?! My receiver will be for sound purpose only. That or that I'll be using only the switch via HDMI without the video processing (?? if that it possible ??).

And btw, for reliability, hk isn't the company it used to be. My friend's dad has a 145 and he got problems with two of 'em while my mother-in-law still has her HK '83 integrated amp! Still going strong. I guess it's hit or miss with those things!