rt-880i's and HK AVR7200

opus007

Will the AVR7200 be too much for my rt-800i's.I am going to upgrade from my Sony Receiver and really like the 7200.Any 7200 owners out there running the 800i's.

hamzahsh

I also considered buying this receiver but after reading lot of reliability issues I ruled out this wonderful receiver.

If you visit www.hometheaterspot.com under Harman & Kardon. Users have reported pop and crackling sound during listening music or movies. It is amazing sweet sounding receiver but due to problems, not just 7200 but even 8000 got lots of problems like center channel hum. Older models use to shut off automatically when the receiver gets to warm. MADE IN CHINA.

I love HK 7200 for its sound quality and power but there are many lemons! Be careful. Some users have changed there same HK receivers 3 times. One guy he blew his speaker while after connecting HK 525. If you get one, get extented warranty. Good luck!

I'm getting my all-time favourite receiver hopefully by next year DENON 3803 which is MADE IN JAPAN. Absolutely nothing matches the performance and quality and value you get for this AVR. Denon has far superior processing than HK or any other brand and has state of the art DACs. Never heard any problems from Denon users. Wonderful reviews. Mates well Polk speakers. Built like a a tank. Alluminium front with brushed metal and solid chasis. HK has plastic front. HK has 8 DACs 1/CH where Denon has 16 DACs 2/CH.

There are things where HK 7200 is better like Torroidal Transformer, Triple X over, Ezset (Auto Speaker Calibration) but not worth if gets problem.

Good luck!

opus007

Hmmm,I think with all receivers there are going to be certian issues.And from reading the post in the Denon Forum...they are not without problems also.I listen to music 80%, tv 15% and dvd 5% of the time .While the denon is rated a good receiver,I take it from even thier forum that for music the denon is lacking.I like my music to be full and not bright and this is what I think I will get from the 7200.I was at CC and they do not have the 7200 but had the 525 and I was impressed and it was playing a local rock station.Still more research to do.I have not been able to hear the denon as of yet as no one in my area carries them.Am open to more suggestions and if there are anyone using either Denon or HK that are using the RT-800i's please share your thoughts.

GuitarheadCA

Will the AVR7200 be too much for my rt-800i's

Don't worry about a receiver having TOO MUCH power for your speakers, most speakers will acutually "open up" and sound better when powered by a stroger receiver.

Although hamzahsh makes some valid points, in MY experience, I have never come across an HK lemon (worked at CC for 2 years). That's not to say they've never been returned, but I've never unboxed a lemon myself. And if you're really worried about it, extended warranties offer peace of mind.

I like my music to be full and not bright

This screams HK to me :-)

Ceruleance

The H/K bashing is a little much. With the volume of H/K sales there are bound to be problems, and Im sure H/K will replace them under warranty.

north51

I am running the rt800i with a HK 510 receiver, and I haven't had any problems. The 7200 will give you more power than mine, so they should sound even better!

Satisfied HK Customer

Jason

wlrandall

You won't be happier. I'm using the 7000 with my 800i mains, biamped with a PA2000. Very rich, warm and full sound.

hamzahsh

Since you're more into music you prefer warmer sound and HK is one of the best musical receivers to use for music. As I said I'm not putting down HK. Your choice is perfect but beside sound there are other aspects you may want to look at for a good AVR. I researched HK thoroughly but after reading lot of problems I changed my mind and it turned me down. I heard HK 7200 at Future Shop here in Toronto and it has very clean and warm sound. Get HK 7200 if you love it but please be careful and don't forget to get extended warranty. HK has one of the best Customer Services that I know. Enjoy!

I never heard Denon and nor I'll get the chance before I buy it so the Polk Audio Speakers were but trusted them after research. My thorough research on Denon and reading after million reviews and ratings I trust Denon 3803 that it will make me smile forever for sure for some jaw dropping experience.

Since you're using RT800i you really don't need extra power if you're using them at small setting using sub for full range LFE signal and setting X-over at 80hz. HK 525 is already more than enough. Unless if you're using them at large setting and sending full-range signals than HK 7200 makes more sense. HK 7200 helps driving more difficult speakers like LSi series, RT150i, Kilipsh and others where extra 75 AMP power kicks in.

There are many other brands you may want to consider for the similar sound. For e.g.,

ONKYO, MARANTZ, OUTLAW, LEXICON, NAD all make great equipment.

Especially, Marantz makes better machine than HK in terms of reliablility and processing and uses same 24/192kHz Crystal DACs like HK same warmness for sweet music listening. Plus MADE IN JAPAN to trust for longetivity.

Check out some reviews for the help at:

www.audioreview.com

Regards,
Hamzah.

opus007

Ok guys thanks for the input.Spent 3 hours at CC today just listening to things and wanting to buy something.They do not have the 7200 but they are clearing out the 525 for 799.00 and I was all set to get it but decieded to wait a 1/2 hour for the guy(who is very knowledgeable) I ussualy deal with get in.Told him I wanted to maybe get the 525.His response was why.Me being the audiophile that i am said...because.Well I like the sound.He recomended I think on it and if i really wanted HK and the 525 to wait for the 625.Ok is that better.Don't know but it should be, but...I recomend you buy either a Denon or one of the ONKYO's.Ok...why.His response ...better avr and better bang for the buck.He showed me a few models...Mainly the 800 and was impressed with that,but now I have to rethink it all over again ,so I did not buy a HK or a ONKYO.I bought a Sherwood.Just kidding.I bought none of the above.But I could not leave with out buying something so I bought some Monster Cable speaker wire as this was also a suggestion from my friend there and also people on this forum.Came home feeling sort of unfulfilled.Felt like I did not buy a thing.Zero.So hooked the monster wire (bi-wired)my RT-800i's and CSI20 and turned the system on.I could not believe the improvement.It was amazing.I listen to a lot of music through my DTV Digital Satellite receiver and all of a sudden it sounded great.I use to think that wire was wire, but not any more.I only shelled out 65 bucks instead of 850.00 but for now my receiver does not sound that bad at all again.Still plan on getting a new one ,but it isnt as much of a priority as it was this morning.Will do a lot more research and want to really check out the ONKYO's and DENON.Thanks all.Sorry for the long post.

hamzahsh

HK 525 uses fan at the back of the receiver some users reported its very annoying and they returned it and bought fanless HK 7200 instead. Users were saying that difference between 525 and 7200 is extra power and no annoying fan. Fanless operation is way quieter.

To my knowledge HK states that fan only kicks in when the AVR gets too hot but if you give it some room to breath it won't start if it stays cool.

The another solution is to add an outboard AMP like HK PA2000 but then it makes more sense to buy 7200 anyways.

The sound quality between both is same though!

GuitarheadCA

Opus,
It's good to have advice from a knowledgable salesman at CC, but don't let it steer you away from what YOU want. It's very much a matter of personal preference. Yeah, at price point, Onkyo does have more features- BUT DO NOT BUY A RECIEVER ON FEATURES ALONE!!! You said yourself you don't want it too bright - and Onkyos ARE bright. You have to LISTEN to them. A/B them. If you like the sound on an HK - the go with an HK! But find out which sound you like!