Would you go for HK avr 525???

Parachoute

Hi,
This is what I got:
Rti10
Csi3
Fxi3
Yamaha (45wpc) without pre-amp output

I have the chance to grab a Harman Kardon avr 525 for 400$ (I am in Canada).
Would you jump on it?
I am 75% music (usually from my i-pod) and 25% HT and don’t need HDMI for now…

Thanks for any advice

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm not sure how prices translate up there, that's a bit steep for a price in the US though. I'd say $300 down here would be about right, so you can do the math.

That aside, I owned one of these for a while, and it's a damn fine receiver. It'll easily drive that setup to full potential. I believe that's also the first HK stuff with the EZ Set mic built into the remote, and that works fairly well, but not quite as good as a spl meter.

strider

I've had that same receiver for a few years and it's done me well. It's run 4 RT55's and a CS400 at a time without really breaking a sweat, as well as 6ohm nominal SDA's. Right now I'm using it as a pre/pro. I do agree with Polkmaniac, that price does seem pretty steep. Have you looked at Harman Kardan's site at their refurbed units? Usually have a lot of different models at good prices.

Ern Dog

The price does seem a tad high. The HK is a solid performer with a high current amp section. I had the HK635 drive my Rti10's with ease. They are a good match because my ears found the HK to sound warm and the Rti's to sound bright. Plus you gotta love that blue light in the volume knob.

Parachoute

Thanks guys, I will check price from Harman Kardon's web site for a refurbished units or offer 300$ for this avr 525. I think this unit could improve my set up and that I could live a year or two with 85 HK wpc and add a separate amp later.

Another quick and dumb hdmi question: If I buy HD TV, can I send the video signal from, let's say a ps3 or other hd player, directly to the tv through hdmi cable and the audio signal to the avr 525 through rca cable?

Thanks

devani

yes...I have my 445 set up like that...I saw new AVR347 at clearance at Bestbuy in NJ for $350...

Parachoute

Thanks for providing an answer devani!
Just to let you know: here, in Canada, avr347 at clearance is 700$+tx!; Regular price: 900$+tx=1035$!!! So could you buy it in NJ and ship it here!!!!!!!

Monster Jam

I push 4 LSi15s and an LSiC with the 525. Its getting a work out as I type this, as a matter of fact.

I've had some reliability issues with the pair I have owned; the one I have is a replacement for the first one that H/K never could fix right. The new one has a failed internal battery which results in me taking about 10 minutes to reprogram after a power outage. Reliability issues not withstanding, its performed flawlessly and beautifully I might add. I'm just waiting for it to die so I can drop the cash on seperates.