DAC's in HK Receivers

timothyj

Does anyone know the type of DAC's used in HK's new 235 or 335 receivers?

The DSP is a Cirrus Logic 49400 - great DSP used in much higher end pre/pros and I'm thinking of pairing an HK with a rotel multi-amp to save a few hundred.

But I can't figure out what DAC's they use - are they cirrus as well? HK just states "premium 24-bit 192khz DAC's". I won't just go buy a pre/pro without knowing it has quality DAC's.

phuz

I think my old AVR-510 had Crystal DACs. Not sure if they are still using them, but Crystal is moderately common. Maybe some form of generic Texas Instruments DAC.

If they were Burr Brown I'm sure they'd say it somewhere. Have you checked their site? They usually have that info on their site.

timothyj

Yeah, checked the sight and even emailed customer service yesterday. No response yet and I thought some of the polk guys might know.

Also, any thoughts on the quality of DAC's in the 320/520 or 325/525 line from some owners or listeners?

timothyj

Phuz, just noticed you are in Houston - where abouts?

Don't you own some rotel gear? Last night my wife and I went to the Home Theatre Store on Westheimer and I looked at a bunch of rotel gear. My NAD T572 is beginning a slow but certain death.

Early B.

Don't worry about the DACs. That's just one piece of the puzzle that contributes to SQ. HK makes great receivers, so just go for it.

NCrewson

Don't tell him I sent you if he gets mad. But the Sales rep for Erikson Consumer (distributor for HK, JBL, Infinity, AKG, Quest, and Omnimount in Canada) is Bob Unger. He really knows his product, though he is understanbly some what biased. His email is Audiobob@telusplanet.net

2+2

I'll put in my data point for you. I have the HK230 and I compared the sound to the DACs in the famed Tosh. 3960 (stock) which I was told has Burr-brown DACs. HK won hands down in my system in terms of clarity, airyness and so forth. My Panny (dont know what DACs they are) sound very similar to the HK. HK DVD players use Wolfson DACs but I don't know if they use those in their receivers as well. Please let us know what you find out.

timothyj

From Harman's email. . . .

"Hello Tim,
Thank you for contacting Harman Audio.
In reference to your inquiry, the output DAC's on the AVR 235 and the AVR 335 are by Asani Kasai, PN AK4358"

Has anyone ever heard of these?

hamzahsh

Originally posted by timothyj
From Harman's email. . . .

"Hello Tim,
Thank you for contacting Harman Audio.
In reference to your inquiry, the output DAC's on the AVR 235 and the AVR 335 are by Asani Kasai, PN AK4358"

Has anyone ever heard of these?

Its actually:

AKM (Asahi Kasei Microsystems)

My Yamaha RX-V1400 also has AKM DACs

Front L & R:- AK4382
Center, SR, SL, BR, BL:- AK4358

www.akm.com

AsSiMiLaTeD

Also, if you get a CD player with good DACs, then this is a non issue for you.

I own a Denon DVD 910, which uses the Burr Brown DACs, and I never use the receiver for DACs, al;ways use the RCA out instead of the digital out from the CD player to the receiver...

phuz

Originally posted by timothyj
Phuz, just noticed you are in Houston - where abouts?

Don't you own some rotel gear? Last night my wife and I went to the Home Theatre Store on Westheimer and I looked at a bunch of rotel gear. My NAD T572 is beginning a slow but certain death.

I live in the Galleria area, and work up north near Tomball. Since you went to the westheimer store, I guess you are near me?

Who did you talk to up there? Michael is a good guy. I usually work with Jeff down at the Clear Lake store though. He's really into everything, and knows his stuff.

If you want a demo of some rotel/LSi gear, let me know.

hamzahsh

Originally posted by Polkmaniac
Also, if you get a CD player with good DACs, then this is a non issue for you.

I own a Denon DVD 910, which uses the Burr Brown DACs, and I never use the receiver for DACs, al;ways use the RCA out instead of the digital out from the CD player to the receiver...

My DVD player Toshiba SD-3109 uses Burr-Brown DACs and I did try the analog output and simply there was no difference in sound quality compare to my Yamaha 1400 AKM DACs from digital input.

However, dynamic range was very weak and I had to crank up 15 db higher for analog compare to digital. Bass was also very weak in analog. Where digital simply rocks, more dynamic range and loud bass.

AKM simply blew the Burr-Brown out of the water! :eek:

AsSiMiLaTeD

Originally posted by hamzahsh
My DVD player Toshiba SD-3109 uses Burr-Brown DACs and I did try the analog output and simply there was no difference in sound quality compare to my Yamaha 1400 AKM DACs from digital input.

However, dynamic range was very weak and I had to crank up 15 db higher for analog compare to digital. Bass was also very weak in analog. Where digital simply rocks, more dynamic range and loud bass.

AKM simply blew the Burr-Brown out of the water! :eek:

That may have proven true in your particular scenario due to other factors, but there's a reason that the Burr Brown DACs are so highly regarded.

They are superb DACs, and will typically outperform anything even near their price range...

Keep in mind though, there are multiple other factors at play besides only the DACs...

hamzahsh

timothyj,

Visit www.alexhardware.com and then click on IC Database.

timothyj

Thanks boys, I KNEW you would be more helpful than even Harman themselves. I'm still undecided about what I'm going to do. My speakers are. . .

LSI7 x 3 for the front

rt25i x2 and one cs245i

My NAD T752 is dying and I'm very hesitant to buy something without a good warranty so I'm trying not to do used equipment.

So. . . what shall I get with a budget of about $900? I'm thinking the Harman 235 as a pre/pro ($330 online) and some bstock M-200's or a rotel stereo amp. What I want is smooth tonal quality - I'll take a musical 60 watts over a powerful 300 watts as long as they can drive the LSI7's.

Oh yeah, Phuz - I'm at greenbriar & W. Alabama, guess we are pretty much neighbors:)