Home Theater Receivers (choosing after the fact) Help from a pro needed

tophatjohnny

I just ordered the Onkyo TX NR-414 online, (haven't got it yet), and in doing some more looking, I found the Harman
Kardon 1650 for not much more money. If someone here can tell me which unit is going to do a better job, I would make the change. I use the system for movie watching and Netflix for regular TV. I also listen to music via AT&T cable radio.
At the present time I have a pair of Polk's RT2000p connected in two channel operation with plans for expanding with a center and surround channel speakers. Your patience and opinions are appreciated.

tophatjohnny

sorry for the typo, and even after re reading the rest of the thread, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that I am asking for advice to which of these mediocre recievers would be a better bet. Sorry the typo seemed to have thrown you off there Blue Fox. Maybe it startled you?? Sorry, and as new to this stuff as I am, maybe I am barking up the wrong tree here. I will someday advance to a higher grade unit, but these are the 2 I am looking at for now. Is that better??

deronb1

HK if it is close to what you paid for the onk.

tophatjohnny

80 dollars more for the HK, so I will take that advice. The only drawback I see on the HK, it seems that the only way to power on and off are with the remote?? Or reaching around the back to the power switch?? BTW, here in Kettering Ohio.

[Deleted User]

Hello Johnny,
I looked at the H-K receiver's owner's manual and there doesn't seem to be output connections to go to an external amplifier, but the Onkyo does. A good sounding method of connecting the RT2000p is to remove the binding post jumper plates on the speakers. Then, run two RCA type audio cables from the receiver's right and left front outputs to the right and left line level inputs on the speakers. Then keep the regular right and left speaker level connections to the speakers. This connection method can result in an improvement to the clarity and bass definition from the speakers.
Also, having line level outputs on the receiver can help if you decide, at some future point, to add an external power amplifier to your system. Maybe consider a model of the H-K line that has the line level (also called preamp outputs) outputs?
Regards, Ken

PSOVLSK

I'm not familiar with either of these AVR's specifically, but my past experience tells me I prefer H/K over Onkyo. I feel as though the H/K's are generally a little warmer which I like. Not to say I dislike Onyko, just prefer H/K is given the choice.

Best of luck with whichever one decide to go with.

cnh

Ken, there are no "real" pre-outs on that Onkyo, only outs for the remote speakers in a secondary system in another room (which, for Onkyo, usually means a second pair of speakers that can only access analog channels--unless that's changed) And I almost positive that you could NOT run the remote channels with the other 5.1 and get Dolby or DTS sound in the primary viewing room!

Only the Onkyo 7XX and above series have pre-outs. So there is no technical advantage for the Onkyo over the HK.

cnh

tophatjohnny

Thanks all, and Ken mainky for the time you spent explaining to a newbie like me. I went with the Onkyo and it set like a charm. Too bad it doesn't have the needed slots for an additional amp as that was why I decided to open the box today and set her on up. I love the ease and sounds great. My next step (down the line will be a more powerful receiver. Unless I can figure out how to add another amp the TX 414. Any help there?? Special thanks to Ken once again. The man is a saint to me.

johnny