yamaha rx 863 or HK354??

[tacomaguy20]

Hello guys, I'm debating on these two receivers. I was seriously considering the yamaha based on several reviews I read but my boss told me he HK was superior in performance. He told me it had some glitches before the updated firmware but after that the receiver is great. I am more or less taking his word because I have trouble even finding anyone who has done a serious performance review of he HK354, best I can find is for the older HK models. Could anyone give me a good comparison on these two models? I'm not really doing anything fancy just want a good home theater setup that will have great audio and great video. However, I am concerned with video upconversion performance. I guess I'm just wanting to get the best I can at a price below 1000 dollars which will last me quite a while without the need for an upgrade. What do you guys think?

 

[rnatalli]

Both are good units. HK's are known to underrate their receivers so it's likely the 354 will outcrank the 863. But unless you have difficult speakers to drive, either would do fine. The Yammy will have more DSP modes, the HK has a prettier OSD.

 

[Rÿche 1]

I had a 354, had trouble loading the upgraded firmware...So, I bought the newer AVR3550HD, $700 shipped

I would always recommend H/K over Yamaha...Yamaha inflates their power ratings, H/K underrates there's...

 

[tacomaguy20]

thanks

so your telling me the HK 355 is next after the 354 ...i didn't know there was a newer model.

 

[rnatalli]

so your telling me the HK 355 is next after the 354 ...i didn't know there was a newer model.

I believe the 355 is the Euro model.

 

[bandphan]

I had a 354, had trouble loading the upgraded firmware...So, I bought the newer AVR3550HD, $700 shipped

I would always recommend H/K over Yamaha...Yamaha inflates their power ratings, H/K underrates there's...

With 3rd party measurments that shouldnt be an issue and not that i have an issue with HK, in most cases id recommend yamaha. Feel free to pm for specifics as im not here to bash HK, which i ivè owned and sold at one point in my life.

 

[tacomaguy20]

thanks for the responses guys

Does anyone own either of these two receivers and if so tell me any pluses or minuses.