Want to add some more Power

Drewsmith

I have an HK 225 powering my system, and while this does a decent job, I feel the system could benefit with a little more juice.

I assume this meens using a seperate amp, providing the power and my Hk just functions as a control unit.

Funds are kinda limited, what would be a good starting point and what kind of budget should I set?

kindoff an open ended type quesiton, just trying to get a feel for what I need to look at and for how much.

kingtut

Drew, I believe that the H/K 225 does not have pre-amp outputs to add an external amp. The receivers in last year's H/K line ending w/ -25s only have pre-amp outputs on the 325 and up. The most economical way to obtain a 2-channel amp; it adds more clarity and headroom. I have an Audiosource Amp3, and I'm very happy w/it. Audiosource Amp3 is going around $250+ used. WoodyJacobs has an Audiosource Amp 100 for sale at a very reasonable price. I purchased from him before, and he's a very stand up guy.

Drewsmith

I think it has preamp outputs.

Hmm will have to take a look to confirm.

Looks like you are correct TUT

Mike682

Drew, the 225 does not have pre-amp outs....I have the same receiver.
I always wondered why the lower models don't put pre-amp out jacks on them.

King was correct that the 325 and up offer pre-amp jacks..

kingtut

I re-checked the info from H/K site, and it said pre-out for sub only.

kingtut

Mike, I believe that the manuf purposely omitted the pre-amp outs for the lower models so the consumers will spend more $ on the more expensive products.

Drewsmith

Hmm what would be the most economical way to go about this? I would like to add probably a 5 channel amp.

kingtut

Most economical way: sell your receiver and then use the $ to purchase a used receiver w/pre-amp outs and a five channel amp; Onecall has the 5 channel Carver amp for $288. I listed a receiver w/pre-out on Polk's Flea Market. It is 5.1, so if your system is 7.1, it won't work.

I recently purchased a H/K 525. It's a 7.1 receiver, but I'm still using the 5.1 configuration based on Polk's recommendation. Due to my room configuration, my seating position is against the rear wall, and my surround are to the sides. I emailed Polk regarding the possiblity of adding two rear speakers; truth to Polk's lengendary customer service, they emailed back recommending against adding the two rear speakers w/my seating configuration. Polk exact words were "while we love to sell you more speakers, due to your seating arrangement, adding the rear speakers will cause fatiguing sounds because you will be too close to the rear speakers."

Early B.

I recently purchased a H/K 525. It's a 7.1 receiver, but I'm still using the 5.1 configuration based on Polk's recommendation. Due to my room configuration, my seating position is against the rear wall, and my surround are to the sides. I emailed Polk regarding the possiblity of adding two rear speakers; truth to Polk's lengendary customer service, they emailed back recommending against adding the two rear speakers w/my seating configuration. Polk exact words were "while we love to sell you more speakers, due to your seating arrangement, adding the rear speakers will cause fatiguing sounds because you will be too close to the rear speakers."

Try it anyway.

I have the same situation -- seating position is on the rear wall, rears on the side (RTi38's), and I have a 7.1 setup. The surrounds (Fxi30's) hang on the rear wall on each side of the couch. When I went from 5.1 to 7.1, there was a noticeable improvement. Doesn't sound "fatiguing" at all. This setup is certainly not ideal, but it was well worth the extra expense of adding another pair of speakers. If you don't like it, you can always return the speakers.

woodyjacobs

Hey there,
If you like the HK's I have noticed that the 225's replacement model, the 230, does have all channel preamp outs. They usually go for about $250-$325 plus shipping on HK's ebay store (Harman Audio).

I appreciate the comments from Kingtut about by Audiosource Amp100 but I don't think it would have the juice you need - it is only 50w/channel in stereo mode. You would probably be better off just watching for a 5 channel amp with equal power to all 5 channels than trying to buy seperate amps...which just makes for a complicated setup, IMO. I was running a system with a Yamaha preouting to 3 amps (one to run the center, one to run the mains and a third to run the surrounds) and it just proved to be a pain in the ****. My wife couldn't even figure out how to turn it all on.
I simplified upon getting a great deal on an HK525 ($400 at Circuit City) and have been selling off my amps. Although I can't bring myself to sell the Soundcraftsmen amp I got from steveinaz. What a great amp that is. I'm not using it right now but it just sounds too good to sell.

woodyjacobs

So in other words Drew, you might consider a more powerful receiver like the HK525 and give that a shot before getting into the seperate amps. If, down the road you decide that you want still more power then you will have an amp that already has the preouts.

Drewsmith

I may just try that, how many watts is the 525 I only have a 5.1 set-up. Wonder if it will be enough increase to notice a difference

woodyjacobs

I think it is 75w x 7, 85w x 2 in stereo mode. The way HK rates their power I bet that it would be very noticeable. I used to have an AVR120 and there is no comparison between that and the 525.

The other two channels are assignable too, which means that you can use them for a second room if you don't want to run a 7.1 system I just run 5.1 also...it is fine for my setup. I use the other two channels to run a stereo pair in my kitchen.

I don't think that there would be enough diff. in between your 225 and a 325, for whatever that is worth.

Woody

woodyjacobs

Also, cosmetically the 525 and it's remote look just like the 225. So you don't really need to learn anything new (except the multiroom stuff) and if you are married you don't have to re-train the Mrs. on operation. In fact you don't even have to let her know that anything has changed. Not that I would do that.

AsSiMiLaTeD

The 525 is 85 x 2 or 70 x 7...