SHOCKING News Flash: HK-3480 sounds way better than Pioneer VSX-816 with RTi10
wizzy
Posts: 867
Oh my. I took that Pineer VSX-816 and connected it to the RTi10s to see what is sounded like compared to the HK-3480.
Wow, talk about pure crap!
Source: Denon HDCD player (model escapes me) with Burr Brown DACs, playing Patricia Barber's Cafe Blue - the HDCD release from FIM recordings. If you like the CD, this release is great.
Where the HK sounds warm and balanced with a low end that can be felt but not overwhelming. Just nicely blended in. Patricia voice was wonderful sounding, smooth and mellow. The cymbals blended nicely. Overall, not half bad.
The Pioneer exhibited something kindly described as tinny - with exaggerated highs that pierced your ears and caused you to wince on every hit of the cymbals. The low end was anemic, as though the four 7" woofers didn't want to budge.
Not believing my ears I proceeded to check multiple times to be sure I was in stereo, fronts set to large, no surround processing, and subwoofer set to none.
After about fifteen minutes I immediately turned everything off and reconnected the HK-3480. For some odd reason, even though the HK-3480 is a two channel amp and the VSX-816 seven (or something like that) the HK-3480 is heavier than the Pioneed.
Wow, talk about pure crap!
Source: Denon HDCD player (model escapes me) with Burr Brown DACs, playing Patricia Barber's Cafe Blue - the HDCD release from FIM recordings. If you like the CD, this release is great.
Where the HK sounds warm and balanced with a low end that can be felt but not overwhelming. Just nicely blended in. Patricia voice was wonderful sounding, smooth and mellow. The cymbals blended nicely. Overall, not half bad.
The Pioneer exhibited something kindly described as tinny - with exaggerated highs that pierced your ears and caused you to wince on every hit of the cymbals. The low end was anemic, as though the four 7" woofers didn't want to budge.
Not believing my ears I proceeded to check multiple times to be sure I was in stereo, fronts set to large, no surround processing, and subwoofer set to none.
After about fifteen minutes I immediately turned everything off and reconnected the HK-3480. For some odd reason, even though the HK-3480 is a two channel amp and the VSX-816 seven (or something like that) the HK-3480 is heavier than the Pioneed.
Post edited by wizzy on
Comments
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I like my HK 3480 (and avr 635) very much. They have both been totally reliable, very affordable, and always sound great. The 3480 has good build quality, a big power supply, oodles of current, and good dynamics.
For about $150 - $200, the 3480 has to be one of the best deals in audio. Add some good value speakers, a CD/DVD player, and even a TT if you like. You can honestly have a pretty respectable system for about $500 with this as the center piece.
I had the 3480, a PE 45avi, some Kef Q60s, a freebie Pioneer TT, some stands off Audio Advisor, and a rack Russ sold me. Whole system probably cost me about $500 and sounds great. Added a $100 sub and sounds even better for movies and music.Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850 -
HK has a warm sound, a perfect match for the RTi series."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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I have the 3480 as well, and have always thought well of it. I don't use it much anymore since I have the Outlaw RR 2150 now. I would have to agree that it is one of the best deals around in 2 channel audio.2 Channel rig:
LSi9"s (modified xover's) & HSU Sub
Harman Kardon HK 990 Amp
Onkyo C-S5VL SACD
Music Hall MMF 5.1
Furman Elite 15
HT rig:
HK AVR-745 & Polk Monitor Series -
Using the Pioneer VSX 816 receiver to drive speakers is not a good idea. I tried it with my SDA 2's just to see what today's 110 watts sounds like. Sounds like crap is right. Very limited power. Why did I buy it? It's an inexpensive $250 Dolby Digital preamp. It has preamp outputs for all the channels. It also has Auto Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration(MCACC). The included microphone measures the acoustic characteristics of your listening area, taking into account ambient noise, speaker size and distance, and tests for both channel delay and channel level. After you set up the microphone provided with the receiver, the receiver uses the information from a series of
test tones to optimize the speaker settings and equalization for your particular room. It has optical digital and coaxial inputs but no HDMI. For 250 bucks, it makes for a very good versatile DD preamp. BTW it does has 2 channel mode as well.SDA SRS 2.3TL's
Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
SDA 2B TL's -
If the 816 has a power supply like the 815, then it's going to be rather anemic. I know the 815 only has a pair of 4700 uF capacitors to go with a rather smallish transformer. It would be a good match for small speakers, but not floor standers driven to any sort of volume.
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Exactly speakergeed. If anyone is looking for an inexpensive DD preamp with a lot of features, this is not a bad choice.SDA SRS 2.3TL's
Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
SDA 2B TL's -
Why would this be shocking?Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
Why would this be shocking?
Yeah. You would expect the HK-3480 to take that Pioneer outside and kick the teeth out of it. And, of course, it did. Nothing comes close in its price range. It's a huge 'effer, though. If I were putting together a budget system, the 3480 would be the anchor.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Id expect that as well. I love my Pio for its easy use and Processing though. Amp section is "good enough" for the R50 HT setup i have.Terps Swimming!
HT Setup
TV: Vizio VX32L
Reciever: Pioneer VSX-D914
HD-DVD Player: Toshiba HD-A2
Fronts: Polk R50s
Surounds: Polk R30s
Center: Polk R20's
Subwoofer: SVS 20-39PCi
2CH Setup
Integrated: Onix SP3 Tube
CD Player: Sony CDP-CX355
Speakers: Onix Strata Mini in PR Finish
Signal Cable: Classic Speaker, Analog 1 IC
Headphones
Grado SR 60, Bang & Olufsen A8, Shure e3
Other Stuff in Use
Onix xls, Dual Onix x-subs, Onix Ref .5, Dahlquist M903, Teac A-1D, Marantz 1060 -
AudioFilet wrote: »I have the 3480 as well, and have always thought well of it. I don't use it much anymore since I have the Outlaw RR 2150 now. I would have to agree that it is one of the best deals around in 2 channel audio.
I also have the Outlaw RR2150, which I use to drive Polk Monitor 70s and a sub in my living room.
Since you have both units (HK 3480 and RR2150), can I ask how do these two receivers compare in sound quality driving Polk speakers?
I am looking for more of a budget 2.1 receiver and speakers for my bedroom, and don't want to spend the 600 cost of another Outlaw.
So I am considering the HK 3485 with Polk Monitor 60s.
The other question I have is what, if any, significant differences are there between the HK 3480 and HK 3485, since the former is discontinued?Living Room system: 52"HDTV, 4 Mon.70s, Epik Valor, Outlaw RR2150
Bedroom System: 2 Mon.60s,Velo VRP1200, HK3490 -
Since you have both units (HK 3480 and RR2150), can I ask how do these two receivers compare in sound quality driving Polk speakers?
I am looking for more of a budget 2.1 receiver and speakers for my bedroom, and don't want to spend the 600 cost of another Outlaw.
So I am considering the HK 3485 with Polk Monitor 60s.
The other question I have is what, if any, significant differences are there between the HK 3480 and HK 3485, since the former is discontinued?
Sound quality of these two units is excellent, it would be difficult to tell the difference between them. The Outlaw may have slightly better low end. Both have plenty of nice clean power. The HK would be just fine for your bedroom setup.
As for the difference between the 3480 & 3485, the 3480 has some sort of "room harmonizer" or goofy equalization switch on it that is a horrible thing, it was eliminated on the 3485. The amp section is the same, but removing this switch cleaned up the signal path somewhat, so the 3485 is supposedly slightly cleaner now.2 Channel rig:
LSi9"s (modified xover's) & HSU Sub
Harman Kardon HK 990 Amp
Onkyo C-S5VL SACD
Music Hall MMF 5.1
Furman Elite 15
HT rig:
HK AVR-745 & Polk Monitor Series -
I picked up an HK 3480 for my sons bedroom...2-channel for his Monitor,X-Box and other stuff.
Damn thing sounds awesome,and drivin' a cheap set of speakers at the moment.
I'm thinkin' about getting another one for my shop to hook up to our RT55i's just for FM music. -
I use the 3480 with my sda crs+'s. I know the general rule for sda's is 200 wpc minimum, but I think the 3480 does a pretty good job of driving the small crs+'s.
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Any good source for purchasing the discontinued 3480? I know HK sells them on Ebay and the Harmon online store currently has the refurb units, 3480z, for $188 plus shipping.
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That's about the best deal I know of. Seen them go on e*bay for like $160 including shipping. And you can't beat the warranty you get buying straight from HK.
