New Harman Kardon Flagship

GSRBOB
GSRBOB Posts: 172
edited February 2009 in Electronics
AVR 7550HD. Looks nice. One of three AVR's to incorporate Dolby Volume i believe.

avr7550f.jpg
Onkyo TX-NR801
Fronts- RTi 10's
Center- CSi5
Rear- Coming Soon
Sub- Velo DPS-10
Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
LCD- KDL-40XBR2
Post edited by GSRBOB on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2009
    This content has been removed.
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,196
    edited January 2009
    That is the best looking H/T receiver I have ever seen IMHO.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jwhitakr
    jwhitakr Posts: 568
    edited January 2009
    Dolby Volume? Seriously?

    What's next ... Dolby Buttons? Dolby Display? Dolby we-are-just-going-to-call-it-Dolby-to-make-money?
    My HT
    HDTV: Panasonic PT-61LCX65 61" Rear Proj. LCD
    AVR: Harman Kardon AVR 235
    Video: 80GB PS3, Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD
    Fronts: Polk Audio RTi8
    Center: Polk Audio CSi3
    Amp: Emotiva LPA-1
    Surrounds: Polk Audio R150
    Sub: HSU STF-3

    The only true barrier to knowledge is the assumption that you already have it. - C.H. Dodd
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2009
    This content has been removed.
  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited January 2009
    Mmmm.. Harman Kardon goodness... looks awesome... DTS HD-MA decoding... Dolby Volume (I actually like this stable volume idea a lot)...
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited January 2009
    Conradicles wrote: »
    That is the best looking H/T receiver I have ever seen IMHO.

    X 2 I wish i wouldve gone with HK. Still happy with my 801 though.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited January 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    Dolby Volume is actually a pretty big deal. As far as I understand it, it tries to keep the sound at the same levels regardless of variations between source, like switching from CD to tuner, or different TV channels: all very annoying. If this cures this, it's quite a success IMO!

    You're right, Conradicles, a nice looking receiver ... but I have a weak spot for harman/kardon myself!

    I think its an excellent idea. I hate how i have to constantly adjust volume while watching a movie.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited January 2009
    Dolby Volume sounds like a cool idea...That drives me crazy when I have to constantly readjust the volume all the time.

    I'm not to big on the looks of it myself though...I like my receivers to have a few more buttons on them...that's to plain looking for my tastes. To each their own though.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigred7078
    bigred7078 Posts: 477
    edited January 2009
    jwhitakr wrote: »
    Dolby Volume? Seriously?

    What's next ... Dolby Buttons? Dolby Display? Dolby we-are-just-going-to-call-it-Dolby-to-make-money?

    its essentially the same thing as Dynamic Volume from Audyssey;)


    The only bad thing about volume stabalization is that is compresses the crap out of the sound. I mean it does what its supposed to but if your watching like a movie on an HD station in 5.1, its not so nice on the SQ. But for just regular TV watching i would say its pretty good, at least it keeps my g/f from nagging about the volume ;)

    And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.
    Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 -> USP-1 -> RPA-1 -> Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited January 2009
    It looks good but $2799 msrp is a lot of money imo for an AVR.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2009
    This content has been removed.
  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited January 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    It looks good but $2799 msrp is a lot of money imo for an AVR.

    x 2 unless yr a baller.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dipiazza
    dipiazza Posts: 363
    edited January 2009
    Whens this thing supposed to be out?
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • timmythugs
    timmythugs Posts: 71
    edited January 2009
    I kind of lost respect for Hk infinity and JBL when JBL had to ask crown for there help to make amplifiers. When they had HK right in house!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited January 2009
    Wasn't there a post about a HK 2 channel receiver that put out 200 wpc a few months ago & wasn't gonna be released in the US ???
    Did a search but so many post when ya HK it, i must be over lookin it.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sdcfan18
    sdcfan18 Posts: 95
    edited January 2009
    bigred7078 wrote: »
    And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.



    That right there is the kicker for me...I've had too many HK's with bugs. On the other hand, I've never owned flagship so there might be a big difference there.
    HT RIG

    DISPLAY - Samsung 50A550 Plasma
    MAINS - polkaudio RTi10
    CENTER - polkaudio CSiA6
    REARS - polkaudio M20
    SUB - D-Box David 303 (looking into SVS & Velo)
    AVR - Yamaha HTR-6190
    AMP - Emotiva XPA-3 (:D)
    SAT/PVR - Bell HD 6141 1TB HDD
    BluRay - 60G PS3
    DVD - Pioneer 490-V (1080i upconverting)
    POWER - Belkin PF31
    REMOTE - Harmony 880
    PICTURES HERE

    A wise man once said "Friends don't let friends buy Bose"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • timmythugs
    timmythugs Posts: 71
    edited January 2009
    Doubtful! HK, contrary to polpular belief, is junk! In my personal experience!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sdcfan18
    sdcfan18 Posts: 95
    edited January 2009
    timmythugs wrote: »
    Doubtful! HK, contrary to polpular belief, is junk! In my personal experience!

    I was trying to have tact, but that's what I was thinking. Just MHO...and timmy's too i guess.
    HT RIG

    DISPLAY - Samsung 50A550 Plasma
    MAINS - polkaudio RTi10
    CENTER - polkaudio CSiA6
    REARS - polkaudio M20
    SUB - D-Box David 303 (looking into SVS & Velo)
    AVR - Yamaha HTR-6190
    AMP - Emotiva XPA-3 (:D)
    SAT/PVR - Bell HD 6141 1TB HDD
    BluRay - 60G PS3
    DVD - Pioneer 490-V (1080i upconverting)
    POWER - Belkin PF31
    REMOTE - Harmony 880
    PICTURES HERE

    A wise man once said "Friends don't let friends buy Bose"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited January 2009
    bigred7078 wrote: »
    And that h/k really does look sexy. Hopefully it doesnt have lots of bugs like the lesser models.

    The first thing that comes to my mind as well with new equipment like this.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bass_Pedal
    Bass_Pedal Posts: 196
    edited January 2009
    The HK AVR 8000 (flagship back in 2000-01) I have is still awesome. Build quality, sound and reliability. I don't have any experience with their stuff since then. By most accounts, the 8000 may have been HK's last great AVR.
    Mains - Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand
    Subs - Rel T5 x 2
    Amplification - Bryston 3b cubed
    Pre Amp - Marantz Sc11-1
    SACD - Marantz Sa11-1
    Stream - Cambridge Audio CXN v2
    Dac - Marantz Dac-1
    TT - Pro-Ject RPM 9.1 w/ Ortofon 2M Black Cartidge
    Phono Stage - Project Tube box DS
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2009
    This content has been removed.
  • GSRBOB
    GSRBOB Posts: 172
    edited January 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    [RANT] You guys are making some very bold statements IMO. There are quite a few very happy owners of h/k here (including myself, although it has already been replaced, but not for reliability issues). True, there is a very long thread on the AVS forum concerning HDMI issues on the 247/347 line, but you must remember:

    (1) There are also far more numerous owners with no issues at all.
    (2) As receivers get far more sophisticated, in the race to keep up with new technology, they seem to be developing more teething problems that require fixing with firmware updates (and some that cannot be fixed). Harman/kardon is in no way unique in this regard.

    I think it is useful to point out shortcomings that you have encountered with any product, since they may occur with someone else too, if they purchase the same unit, but to say categorically that because of your bad experience, that brand is all "junk" is not a very thoughtful or useful comment IMO, and fairly soon we would self ban ourselves from almost every brand out there.

    The whole "X is brilliant, Y is junk" argument can be had over and over again on almost any topic, from cars to universal remotes to trucks to amplifiers and receivers to Mac vs. PC etc. etc. It and is frankly meaningless ... IMHO of course, and YMMV.

    [/RANT]

    I agree. I wouldnt go as far as sayin HK is junk. I have a cousin with an older HK AVR ( not sure model Black/Gold finish ) and that thing sounds amazing with his older polks (right before RTi10's & or 12's I believe, i think there the ones w/the powered subs built in).

    If circuit had a flagship at the time i got my Onkyo i would have bought it instead.
    Onkyo TX-NR801
    Fronts- RTi 10's
    Center- CSi5
    Rear- Coming Soon
    Sub- Velo DPS-10
    Pwr- Monster HTS 3600
    LCD- KDL-40XBR2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited February 2009
    I had an AVR 635 for several years and experienced ZERO issues. I loved its looks, sound, functionality, price, etc.

    I'm definitely going back to HK soon as I purchased a house and need to go with HDMI for the family room connection (plasma over fireplace, not enough room to run Component and audio cables to TV.

    I'm thinking of either going with HK-354 or HK-3550HD. Anyone have opinions on which to go with? Does the 3550HD offer much more than the HK-354 besides Dolby Volume? Is Dolby volume something you can turn on for TV viewing and then manually (or automatically) back to different processing for movies / music? I hate the idea of compressed movies or music but like the idea of not having to play with the remote too much for tv viewing and load commercials. I think commercials being loud is the main reason Dolby volume exists.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited February 2009
    Kex wrote: »
    I don't think it'll ever sell for that. Even the recent AVR254 and AVR354 sell for about 60% of their MSRP (just to clarify, I mean 40% off, ... get it? :confused:).

    Even at $1,500 - $2,000, there's a lot of stiff competition out there for this new h/k!

    Correct; it can be had for far less than list price. It's a nice unit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter