To repair or not to repair? That is the question.

packetjones
packetjones Posts: 1,059
edited March 2014 in The Clubhouse
So i was trying to update the FW on the Harman Kardon receiver and I bricked it. It is no longer under warranty so I would have to pay to fix it. I called the closest authorized repair center ( in another state) and it will cost $75 to even look at it. With this and shipping I am looking at around $150 to even get it on looked at. I was curious what others think... Should i get it repaired or just cut my losses and buy another AVR.

I do like the HK since it has a lot of features that i bought it for. Namely pre-outs, Zone 2, HDMI switching. Any other recommendations for lower priced receivers with these features?

Thanks
Front - RTiA5's
Rear - RTiA3's
Center - CSiA4
Sub - PSW110
Post edited by packetjones on
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Comments

  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
    edited February 2014
    IMO....list it on Ebay "AS-IS" to recoup a little money. Then you have an excuse to buy something new to you.

    Keep you eyes peeled for a Pioneer Elite or Onkyo that will eventually go on sale. Someone here was just selling an Onkyo I believe...
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited February 2014
    Have others had problems with this update? Or do you think it was something you did? If it was their FW code that bricked it, I would think they need to fix this warranty or not. Also isn't there a way to roll this back? I know these are probably things you all ready thought of and this isn't much help, but just wondering if Harman Kardon's support is that bad.
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2014
    Well I actually bricked it about a year ago after the warranty was over. It has been in storage since. It will not even load the flash ROM. As far as I know there is not a known issue and others have updated in the past without issues.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited February 2014
    If it's going to cost $150 to have it looked at, you're looking at $200 or more to repair.

    I would right it off, go to accessories 4 less, and get a factory refurb.
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2014
    Anyone have any ideas on a lower cost receiver that has pre-outs. I have an Adcom to push my lsi's and know that a standard AVR doesnt have the power to due them justice.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • Zentish
    Zentish Posts: 127
    edited February 2014
    packetjones wrote: »
    Anyone have any ideas on a lower cost receiver that has pre-outs. I have an Adcom to push my lsi's and know that a standard AVR doesnt have the power to due them justice.

    I like ONKYO, but I think you have to jump to the 8xx to get pre-out. Your signature would indicate you're running 3.1 - are you?
    Receiver: ONKYO TX-NR929 7.1 AVR 130wpc
    Mains: 2x Polk RTA 8TL's
    Center: Polk CS245i
    Surrounds: 2x Klipsch RS-41ii (because they fit perfectly over the door and window)
    Rear Surr: 2x Polk M4a '90
    Subwoofer: Speakerlab DAS-SW dual-voice-coil 10" '88 30Hz-150Hz
    Subwoofer Amp: ONKYO A-8019 AMP '85 100wpc
    Display: Samsung 55" UNC55-8000 3D LED
    Console: Xbox360
    DVR: custom MythTV rig w/ 3 tuners OTA
    Zone2: 2x Polk M5b '87
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2014
    I just bought a house and was able to finally get everything out of storage. I am currently 2.1 but will be going to 5 as soon as I get this AVR thing sorted out. I looked around and saw a marantz that had pre outs for the two front speakers. I guess that is all that matters really. I would like to run the center as well but I think I could make do as long as I had the power for stereo music.

    I guess I could sell the adcom and get a nice pioneer or denon. Still think I need a separate amp for the 4 ohm speakers though. Eventually all of this gear will be going in a media closet. I plan on running a zone two on the patio so that is another feature I would like. Decisions, decisions....

    This is one of the reasons that I am debating on fixing the hk. It has Pre-outs and everything. Are there any features in the new units that would make them better for being in a media closet? Is that what the hdmi-**** features add?
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    edited February 2014
    Hey Packet PM sent. I have something that might fit your needs...
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • jimbo1421
    jimbo1421 Posts: 772
    edited February 2014
    One hears a lot of talk around here of synergy, that "just right" combination of inputs, amplification and speakers that produce a quality of sound that you love. If you have that with your HK AVR, as well as the features that you need or want, then it might well be worth the money to repair even if the bean counting doesn't add up. Keep the apple cart upright.

    Jim
    5.1 System:
    TCL R613 55" 4K
    Front: SRS-3.1TL
    Center: CS400i
    Surround: Monitor 10B
    PSW10 subwoofer
    Onkyo PR-SC886P Pre/Pro
    NAD T955 5 channel power amplifier
    Technics SL-1710 MK2 turntable
    Audio-Technica AT14Sa cartridge
    Parasound P3 pre-amp
    Oppo BDP-103 Blu-Ray
    2014 MacBook Pro 2.8 GHz

    2.0 Office System:
    Monitor 10A (Peerless)
    Outlaw 1050 receiver
    Parasound HCA-1000A power amp
    MacPro
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited March 2014
    The HK was the first avr I purchased. I am not really attached to it all. More about the money than anything else. I am currently using a b&k pre with the adcom amp. It sounds good but I am sure that I will be swapping out gear over the years so there is no synergy currently. Lol
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited March 2014
    Dang - sorry to hear about your AVR.

    That is one of the risks upgrading firmware.

    Sure - it 'should' not be a problem and most of the time it isn't - but there is always that nagging feeling when I start w/ the upgrade...

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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