Hk 3490?

exlvit
exlvit Posts: 19
edited January 2012 in Electronics
I've been looking around for a new stereo reciever, and I've been considering some of the harman kardon models, mainly the HK 3490.

Any input/alternatives? It seems like a well built stereo, but it's nice to have some other's opinions.
PC -> HK3490 -> Polk Monitor 60II+JBL ES150P -> Ears
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited January 2012
    exlvit wrote: »
    I've been looking around for a new stereo reciever, and I've been considering some of the harman kardon models, mainly the HK 3490.

    Any input/alternatives? It seems like a well built stereo, but it's nice to have some other's opinions.

    Its pretty hard to beat as an integrated in its pricepoint. Its what I rock in my office setup.

    Only other suggestions would be a used NAD integrated as they punch WAAAYYY above their rated RMS and sound pretty darn good.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    What are you going to pair this with? It's a nice entry level receiver. I have one that does TV duty in my office--have it running some Energy RC-10s with a small sub. Does a good job there. Passable tuner as well! And I find its internal DACs to be OK, not too bright for the occasional CD.

    There are other possibilities. Marantz makes a receiver in that price range and Onkyo has introduced a new networked stereo receiver. Then there are slightly more expensive pieces by Outlaw RR 2150 (a step up from the HK, IMO). Also see NAD and Cambridge Audio receivers in that price range, etc.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • exlvit
    exlvit Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    It'll be powering a pair of monitor 60II's. The source will be my PC, with on-board audio, so the ultimate audiophile awesomeness is probably not needed. (I need to get a sound card, but that's a different thread.)

    I see the 3490 has a sub out as well, which I don't have any use for yet, but future expandability is nice.

    Thanks for the suggestions so far, the Polk community is pretty cool.
    PC -> HK3490 -> Polk Monitor 60II+JBL ES150P -> Ears
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited January 2012
    I would hardly call the 3490 an entry level receiver, regardless of price. It's a very good integrated, and will leave you room to grow into more speakers later.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    My bad. What I meant to say is that you can pay a LOT more for a receiver than what you can buy the 3490 for! Even HK has a lower model.

    But, one does have to admit that HK pricing has been "entry" level for a while. A while back they were on sale "new" for 249-with shipping included!

    Those days seem gone, though?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • exlvit
    exlvit Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    Well, a quick look around some audio stores, I came across this.

    Hard to pass it up for that cheap!
    PC -> HK3490 -> Polk Monitor 60II+JBL ES150P -> Ears
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited January 2012
    Those HK models do go on and off sale pretty often, just gotta catch the right price. I'm amazed at the price they're able to sell these for given how well they're built, can't be making much money off of these units.
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited January 2012
    The H/K3490 DAC is a AK4384 one of the better one's.I have this unit and really like it in my 2.1 set up.I just upgraded from my H/K2600 for the H/K3600 for the per out's to input my mono block amp's for HT.I sent an email too H/K too find out if the H/K3600 has the same DAC as the one in the H/K3490.Waiting on a reply from them.I remove the H/K3490 from my system.But for some reason i the think the H/K3490 sounded better for two channel music.I just may be putting the H/K3490 back in service.
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited January 2012
    I enjoy mine with my Lsi7s. JR has it for $259. At that price I would give it a try. Agree with CNH, it has a good tuner.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • cwsmith68
    cwsmith68 Posts: 434
    edited January 2012
    Check this out, exlvit

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?127869-HK-3490-Receiver-FS
    Main system:
    Denon PRA-1500, Denon POA-2400, Denon TU-660, Denon DCD-2560, Denon DVD-2910, Denon DRS-640, Denon DP-30L II w/DL-301 mc cart, BSR EQ-3000, DCM Timeframe 600's
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited January 2012
    Update on the H/K3490.It does not have the AK4384.It has the AK4589.And for those interested the H/K3600 does not have the same DAC chip.I pulled top's off of both unit's.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    cwsmith68 wrote: »
    Check this out, exlvit

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?127869-HK-3490-Receiver-FS

    Wow! $210 shipped with everything it came with. And I know Max has taken excellent care of his stuff so it's probably Mint!

    Great opportunity and price. You're not going to find a much better offer than this! I'd grab it!

    Tankman. What are the differences between those two DACs? I find that I "like" the DAC in the 3490. In fact, I'm surprised by it for the price of the unit?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited January 2012
    cnh..i found a review on AudiogoN Forum...He stated that the H/K3490 has a AK-4384.But when i pulled the hood off on my H/K3490 in it is AK-4589 DAC.Now i just upgraded too a H/K3600 for the per-out on all channel's.Not given any thought on the DAC's in the two unit's.So after i put in the H/K3600 i had some music CD's on and not that it sound bad or anything like that.It was a lil more bright on the mid's.So i got too thinking about the DAC in the H/K3490,and sure enough it is not the same one that's in the H/K3490.So the H/K3490 is back in my set-up..But yeah i like the DAC in the H/K3490 a lot better the the one in the H/K3600 for music that is.
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  • exlvit
    exlvit Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    :S, ordered it through J&R last night.

    Thanks for the help though.

    I also see this has a pre-out, so if I get some of polk's bigger towers, I could add some amps. Aww yeah!
    PC -> HK3490 -> Polk Monitor 60II+JBL ES150P -> Ears
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited January 2012
    exlvit..You got it at a great price.I think you are going too like the H/K3490 a lot.And with the per-outs later on you can add a nice amp too i.
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited January 2012
    Has dual sub outs as well. Just saying :o) Enjoy, and rest assured that you did good on the price! I shopped around and still paid $50 more. I knew it would drop from reviews on amazon but could not wait.
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited January 2012
    Update..Just got an email back from H/K..Was told that the DAC in the H/K3600 and the H/K2600 are not the same as the one in the H/K3490.The one's in there AVR unit's are a Cirrus CS 49700. And the one in the H/K3490 are AKM-AK4589.For those interested.
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  • exlvit
    exlvit Posts: 19
    edited January 2012
    Picked up a big box from UPS today, I wonder what it is...

    Well, it's here.

    Can't wait to listen to it, but it's still pretty cold from sitting in a truck all day, so I'll be waiting for a while before I power it up.
    PC -> HK3490 -> Polk Monitor 60II+JBL ES150P -> Ears
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited January 2012
    exlvit wrote: »
    Picked up a big box from UPS today, I wonder what it is...

    Well, it's here.

    Can't wait to listen to it, but it's still pretty cold from sitting in a truck all day, so I'll be waiting for a while before I power it up.
    Good idea
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2012
    Have fun with the HK. It is a nice piece.

    And on that note. I've been hanging with my vintage HK 430 (just came in this week) and auditioning a cheap pair of Celestion DL-6s I just picked up on it. I always wanted to hear what a pair of metal dome Celestion bookies sound like. Been running them for a couple of hours now, and I'm "just" getting used to this "British" flavor. It's taken me a while to settle in. But I'm starting to tune in what this sound "is".

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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