Hk Avr140??

frdranger

Hey gang -

I am looking at purchasing a Harmon Kardon AVR140. It is 40-watt per channel. I have Monitor 50s' for the front, and a CS1 for a center (no rears...yet).

Would this receiver be good enough to power what I have? Or would I need to buy a seperate amp? Thanks!

ahorvitz

Is it enough, maybe. At least with HK, the rated power is real power. I'd recommend stepping up to the 240 though. Not a huge difference in price, but for it, you get preamp outputs which will allow you to add an amp down the line.

frdranger

ahorvitz wrote:

Is it enough, maybe. At least with HK, the rated power is real power. I'd recommend stepping up to the 240 though. Not a huge difference in price, but for it, you get preamp outputs which will allow you to add an amp down the line.

Ahh, good suggestion! Thanks man!

Circuit City will discontinue selling Hardmon Kardon products come September. They're cutting prices like crazy on their receivers. I'm also looking at the AVR 340 for $499 that has 55-W per channel.

ahorvitz

Or check out HK's eBay store... they sell refurbs cheap. Watch the auctions and pick your spot. They are pushing them out the door all the time, so don't worry about being shut out. Wait 'til you can score one for the right price.
GL

frdranger

You see - here's the gist of things. My wife bought me a circuit city gift card, even though CC does not have the higher-end quality receivers, I would still like to see what I could get for the best bang for my buck from there.

What really stinks, again, is that I cannot demo any of these units . I'm just worried that if I bring home any of the HK receivers, they won't push enough power to my speakers.

okiepolkie

The 340 you are looking at would good, although the 240 would get you by. Both offer pre-amp outputs so you can add an external amp later.

I would bypass on the 140. It would be plenty of power, but I still like the option of adding an external amp if I want.

frdranger

okiepolkie wrote:

The 340 you are looking at would good, although the 240 would get you by. Both offer pre-amp outputs so you can add an external amp later.

I would bypass on the 140. It would be plenty of power, but I still like the option of adding an external amp if I want.

Man, as much as I would love to own the 340, I think my wife would kill me if I bought that.

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

You see - here's the gist of things. My wife bought me a circuit city gift card, even though CC does not have the higher-end quality receivers, I would still like to see what I could get for the best bang for my buck from there.

What really stinks, again, is that I cannot demo any of these units . I'm just worried that if I bring home any of the HK receivers, they won't push enough power to my speakers.

Grab a HK240. The 240 adds Pre-outs and an upgraded EZ set calibration. Great receiver

Any HK receiver out there will drive your speakers very, very well. Even HK's entry level 140 will drive your speakers much better than your current yammie.

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

Grab a HK240. Pre-outs and on screen displays. Great receiver

Any HK receiver out there will drive your speakers very well.

What stinks, is that Circuit City doesn't carry the 240 . Also, when you say any HK receiver, does that include the 140?

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

What stinks, is that Circuit City doesn't carry the 240 . Also, when you say any HK receiver, does that include the 140?

Yes.

Too bad they don't carry the 240.

If you can, seriously look into buying a receiver with more connectivity than the 140. Because in the long run, you will eventually want to upgrade (add an amp) and you will be forced to buy another receiver. Spend a little extra now and buy a receiver that will allow future upgrades..It will actually save you money down the road

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

Yes.

Too bad they don't carry the 240.

If you can, seriously look into buying a receiver with more connectivity than the 140. Because in the long run, you will eventually want to upgrade (add an amp) and you will be forced to buy another receiver. Spend a little extra now and buy a receiver that will allow future upgrades..It will actually save you money down the road

Yes, true, very true. I think I will go for the 340 in this case.

Everyone, thank you for your suggestions, I truely appreciate it!

EDIT: Oh darnit!! I just checked, and CC is out of the 340s' online, and my local CC does not carry it! Seesh....

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

Yes, true, very true. I think I will go for the 340 in this case.

Everyone, thank you for your suggestions, I truely appreciate it!

Rock on!

That 340 is a nice receiver. CC has a decent price on it now. Also to help lower costs, shop around and find a competitor with a lower price and have CC match the competitor..That's how I bought my first HK.

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

Rock on!

That 340 is a nice receiver. CC has a decent price on it now. Also to help lower costs, shop around and find a competitor with a lower price and have CC match the competitor..That's how I bought my first HK.

Unfortunately, they are out of stock online, and none of the stores around me carry it. And also, being that CC will not be selling HK products starting in September, I highly doubt they'll be receiving any more shipments in . Fiddles!

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

Unfortunately, they are out of stock online, and none of the stores around me carry it. And also, being that CC will not be selling HK products starting in September, I highly doubt they'll be receiving any more shipments in . Fiddles!

Since you are limited to CC because of the gift card, maybe you should check out the Onkyos or wait for the Denons to arrive..Unfortunately, it's going to cost more to get an Onkyo with pre-outs becuase they don't appear until the 703

I don't have much experience with Denons though. I'm sure another member will chime in about Denon.

Or just keep saving, sell the yammie, and buy an HK somewhere else

Just a suggestion

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

Since you are limited to CC because of the gift card, maybe you should check out the Onkyos or wait for the Denons to arrive..

I don't have much experience with Denons though. I'm sure another member will chime in about Denon.

Just a suggestion

Wow, you read my mind lol. I was looking at a few of the Onkyo's, since I've heard some good praise regarding them, and the one that caught my eye which alot of people swear by, is the TX-SR603X. However, like the HK, it is out of stock both online, and in-store . I think maybe I'm going to just wait for the Denon's.

If you goto CC's website, could you suggest any good Onkyo's that they have?

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

Wow, you read my mind lol. I was looking at a few of the Onkyo's, since I've heard some good praise regarding them, and the one that caught my eye which alot of people swear by, is the TX-SR603X. However, like the HK, it is out of stock both online, and in-store . I think maybe I'm going to just wait for the Denon's.

If you goto CC's website, could you suggest any good Onkyo's that they have?

The 703 is a good receiver and it is the first one that has pre-outs (504,604, 604 etc do not have pre-outs). Unfortunately it is more expensive than the HK340

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

The 703 is a good receiver and it is the first one that has pre-outs (504,604, 604 etc do not have pre-outs). Unfortunately it is more expensive than the HK340

Yea, thats a little high for right now. I think I'm going to wait and see what CC offers with the Denon's. Thanks for your help man, your a great help!

Mike682

Yea, thats a little high for right now. I think I'm going to wait and see what CC offers with the Denon's. Thanks for your help man, your a great help!

Glad to help:D

Too bad you have that gift card, because you could by an HK refurb direct from HK at a great price. All with a full warranty..

Something to look into also

frdranger

Mike682 wrote:

Glad to help:D

Too bad you have that gift card, because you could by an HK refurb direct from HK at a great price. All with a full warranty..

Something to look into also

Ahh, thats not a bad idea. I never thought of that. Could you recommend any good sites that would sell refurbished receivers?

Mike682

frdranger wrote:

Ahh, thats not a bad idea. I never thought of that. Could you recommend any good sites that would sell refurbished receivers?

Two for HK, direct from HK themselves
1) www.harmanaudio.com
Use "Specials" drop down menu on left and select harmankardon

Harman Audio's ebay store:
2)http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio
Select time ending soonest to check out current bids on receivers

DollarDave

frdranger wrote:

Ahh, thats not a bad idea. I never thought of that. Could you recommend any good sites that would sell refurbished receivers?

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/default.asp?brand=HK&market=HOM&sp=S&cat=REC

Good prices, but from what I can tell, you may be better off to buy from them direct on e-bay. Just be patient and save even more. They have a steady stream of product hit each day. Track it for a week or so and figure out what you are willing to bid. I see that the price is usually established (on the HK products) about mid-way through and you can probably snipe it near the end for just a bit more.

[edit] Looks like Mike682 beat me to it...

frdranger

Haha, thank you guys. I appreciate it! I will look around and see what the whats there!

brijenjas

I also recommend bidding on a 340 at harmanaudio on ebay if you can.
http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

I won my 340 ther for $305.00 plus shipping, around the end of June. They have been going for between $275.00 and $350.00, Shipping is $35.00.

Here are some recently completed listings

http://search-completed.ebay.com/search/search.dll?GetResult&sadis=200&copagenum=1&a31300=-24&sargn=-1&saprclo=&pfmode=1&fsop=1&gcs=1785&a14=-24&sbrftog=1&reqtype=1&a10244=-24&fpos=60443&coaction=compare&ftrv=1&pf_query=HK+AVR+340&alist=a14%2Ca31300%2Ca10244%2Ca3801&ftrt=1&pfid=2518&sacat=-1&from=R10&fis=2&sofocus=so&satitle=HK+AVR+340&saprchi=curare43&coentrypage=search

Customer service is top notch;

1st problem: Mine shipped without a zone II remaote, sent them an email and had they sent me one within the week.

2nd problem: Right after I got the missing remote, the DSP stopped working on my 340, analog in and out worked but no processed sound was being output.
Sent an email describing my problem, within 3 days they sent me an RMA number and a shipping label for UPS to send the unit back. NO SHIPPING CHARGES incurred by me to send the faulty unit back or for them to send me the replacement unit.
This is unheard of in this day and age, most companies will have you pay the shipping charrges to them at the very least.

Recieved the replacemnent unit about a week after returng the original, problem free since.

alibabwish

which of onkyo, harmon kardon, and dennon are the best?

dipiazza

Just a suggestion, im pretty sure CC has a 30 day money back guarentee, so buy it, take it home and "Demo" it. If you dont like it, just return it. Try another model. Good luck!

Drumingman

alibabwish wrote:

which of onkyo, harmon kardon, and dennon are the best?

Never owned a multi-channel Dennon but the stereo version was good.

Bought a Onkyo and exchanged it for a HK because IMHO the HK amps were far better sounding than the Onkyo. The Onkyo is easier to use, but it's the sound quality I listen for, not the ease of use.

TheReaper

Drumingman wrote:

Bought a Onkyo and exchanged it for a HK because IMHO the HK amps were far better sounding than the Onkyo. The Onkyo is easier to use, but it's the sound quality I listen for, not the ease of use.

I did the reverse, I have an Onkyo TXSR702 and HK AVR630. To me, the hk sounded stronger, especially in the bass area. But the Onkyo, although brighter, had smoother highs. So I use the Onkyo in my main room, and the HK is powering a pair of R15s in the other room.

tommyboy

j&r has the H/k avr240 for 340 with free shipping

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4058163#productTabPhotos

Is that cheaper than what you saw at CC?

Im thinking now of selling my onkyo 603 and getting the 240.
quick question. If I do a huge upgrade with my speakers in a couple years and buy an external amp, will it still sound great using the 240?

frdranger

tommyboy wrote:

j&r has the H/k avr240 for 340 with free shipping

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4058163#productTabPhotos

Is that cheaper than what you saw at CC?

Im thinking now of selling my onkyo 603 and getting the 240.
quick question. If I do a huge upgrade with my speakers in a couple years and buy an external amp, will it still sound great using the 240?

Well, CC did not even carry the 240. They only had the 140, 340 and a much higher end one that cost into the thousands I believe lol.

aaharvel

the 240 for $340 I would consider a bargain. Imo, the only AVR that compares in that price field is the Marantz SR-4600.

tommyboy

aaharvel wrote:

the 240 for $340 I would consider a bargain. Imo, the only AVR that compares in that price field is the Marantz SR-4600.

hmmm... now where to sell my 603x... do you think anyone on here would be interested, or is this avr not high end enough?

hey fdranger, just curious what part of Pa you live in?