Need help chosing a receiver

dknopp

I just finished my basement and bought Polks, Rti a7s, a CSI a6, A DSW pro 550wi, and I have four of the in ceiling RC80i's. I am trying to decide which receiver would be best to power these. I am leaning toward the Harmon Kardon AVR-3650, but am wondering if there is a better option. I will be using it for movies 90% of the time. Any help would be appreciated! thanks

B Run

What's your budget look like?

dknopp

Would like to keep it under or around $1000

michael1947

checked the pdf owner's manual for the 2650/3650. They do say they have a 35amp HC amp, but only list 2 channel output even for the multi-channel section.

Power consumption for is 420 and 480 watts. My AVR 1600 (according to the manual which doesn't seem to be screwed up as much as the 2600 and 3600 manuals) shows max power consumption of 540 watts with 7 channels driven.

That would be pretty disappointing to have the new "high power" AVRs with less actual power than the outgoing entry model.

If I need a new AVR this year I hope to be able to score a 3600 for cheap or it'll be likely be a Denon. Bummer :-( Hello there DKnopp and welcome to the forum.

I pasted a little conversation from another web forum where some fellas were talking about the same receiver the HK AVR 3650. It seems they (the posters) have determined that HK has lowered the weight and the power on this unit...

When I initially read your question I thought you may be right on the ragged edge with the HK and your RTI A7's and family. Now I feel you may have to look into something else. You will be in the 1k to 2k price range for a receiver with enough weight/current/power for your speakers and that puts you into the dilemma of when to fish and when to cut bait. A moderately priced AVR with all of the connections for all of your toys and network, I-stuff, network, etc and most importantly with PRE-OUTS SO YOU CAN ATTACH AN ADDITIONAL AMPLIFIER TO RUN THOSE A- 7's. It will be less money and way better power to pick up a mid-range unit with an additional 200wpc amp and you will be set for a long time. When technology changes swap out the mid grade AVR and keep the amp. You will only need a 2 channel amp as your AVR will power your center and surrounds. Now the guys on here will make some specific suggestions.

obieone

For $1,089.00(Amazon) you can get the Pioneer SC-55; 9.1 X 140 watts, and more bells and whistles than you can shake a stick at.

B Run

I had a HK3600 and hated it, I absolutely love my SC-35. I'd go with any SC series Pioneer all day.

dknopp

Thanks for the responses. Do most of you agree that the for the money the SC-55 would be my best bet? I have never had an external amp and know pretty much nothing about them, if this would be a better option I would be interested in hearing of a few avr/amp combos that would work the best with my speakers. I dont want to blow the bank but I dont want to cheap out on these nice speaker either. If I amp my A7's am I going to want to amp my A6 center too? Thanks again for the help.

chumlie

I would go with the 55 or a sc-35. Should be enough to make you happy. You can always put an amp on them at a later date if you feel the need.

grimmace19

I have a marantz sr7002 I'd be willing to part with for the right price...

As for the other recommendations, the pio elites are great, but maybe also check out the newer marantz models as well.

DRAGOMCS

Don't know about the SC-55 or the HK you referred to for that matter, but I know I have an HK AVR85 (used to be top-of-the-line) from years back and would not part with it. I don't know if they make them the same anymore. See if you can go listen to both of them. IMHO I'd go for the sound quality I liked over features.

dknopp

I think I have decided to go with the SC-55, is this basically the the same as a SC-35 just newer? The only other question I have is if I start with this reciever and decide to add an amp later what will someone like me who has never had or even heard a system like this notice? I just want a great sounding mini theater room and I have never had anything that cost more than a few hundred dollars for the whole set up before I bought these Polk speakers. I guess I just dont want to cheap out now and find out in five years that I could have been listining to something Way better for a little more money now. Thanks again for all your help

cstmar01

I'm selling an sc05 which is 7.1 and non 3d vs the 55 for 500 plus shipping if your interested in saving some coin

dknopp

I thought I had my mind made up on the SC-55 now olne of the local shops is telling me that my money would be better spent on an Inegra. Any opinions or should I just order the pioneer and have it over with?

chumlie

Order the Pioneer.

obieone

chumlie wrote: »

Order the Pioneer.

+1. Pioneer list the SC-55 as a 9.1, based on speaker terminals, but 11.2 for pre-outs. Why, I have no idea.
I honestly believe the Pio will be a more forward compatible than the Integra.

newcreation

I have a yammah rx 995 with all The bells and whistles for a great price email lesick68@zoominternet.net

dknopp

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dknopp

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dknopp

I ordered the sc-55, and my 70" sharp 3d tv. Just waiting for my carpet to be installed so I can hook it all up. I still need to find a blue ray player. What else will I need to hook all of this up? One other question I have is can I or should I hook 2 subs up to this receiver? I purchased the dsw 550 wi and ended up getting the psw 111 for free, I thought about selling it but I will keep it if it will sound better with 2 subs. I just wish it was wireless.

specd_out

Normally when running dual subs, its best to run the same models. Its not a hard and fast rule though. Since you have it give it a try, if you dont like I am sure it will sell.

gp4jesus

Get the Pio. I've read several times recently on other threads Yammie's & RTi A series bad combo because either tend to be bright; together... well you can figure it out.

You will hear improvement upgrading to an external amp for the A7s. Maybe, maybe not, your center depending upon cut off frequencies & how loud you like it for movies. I set my levels around my LRs; center abou -6 or -7; sides/rear -2 to 0. Finally, and I've posted the following before but it bears repeating.

Little known 'A7 secret. Here's where I "slap the hornet's nest." *A little known ('A7) fact Polk left off the web site: below the sub's XO frequency (125Hz) nominal impedance* drops to 4 ohms*. You read that right, now read why. NO HP filtering to the Mid - the mid & subs are in parallel* below 125hz.*
*jbooker82, VR3 (Trey), & 1-2 others know all this first hand

Don't let this scare you just be aware.

Shalom, tony

VanR

I love H/K's myself. Wish I still had my mine, but Lightning took it out.

tonyb

Good choice on the Pioneer, congrats. That HK would have only given you about 44 watts per channel driving 7 speakers, the pioneer with it's ice amps will hold more power in the same 7 channel use.