Receiver and CD Player for Polk R50

habibandalex

Hi, I'm very new to the audio world, but am a musician and need to improve the quality of my listening. I just bought two Polk R50s (online for $140) and want to get a receiver and CD player that will work with them. Would an Onkyo TXSV424 receiver be enough? I know it's old, but I can buy one for $60. If not, what would be the best low end receiver and player that I could buy. I want it to sound good, especially for classical recordings but I can't afford the big price tag at this point.

cnh

I don't know that Onkyo...what wattage does it have? How old is it.

I would recommend Harman Kardon HK-3480 2 channel 120w receiver (search for this thread) this is a nice powerful two channel receiver currently on sale on this site that would serve you well. As for CD players. I'm sure there will be a big discussion about that on this site.

cnh

habibandalex

I've checked around online and can't find the watts, since no one other than this craigslist person is selling the SV424. It's not even listed on the Onkyo website. I think it's about 15 years old. What about the Onkyo TXSR304
5.1 Audio Video Surround Sound Receiver? This had 65 watts x 5 channels and is rated up to the 8 ohms, like the Polk require. I could, I think, use the CD function from my DVD player and then wait to be able to buy a better CD player.

The Kardon seems great. Thanks for pointing it out. With the shipping, it would be too expensive to buy a CD player too. With this one, I coudn't just use my DVD to play CDs. Or could I?

oifvet0608

Yes you could, I would purchase the HK because it will be the warmest sounding receiver. Especially if you will be listening to classical or acoustic music. You could use your DVD player for current listening and save for a good cd player. Your choice. I'm not saying that Onkyo is bad though, just beware of craigslist. The guys here are really good, they will not steer you wrong.

habibandalex

The more I read about it, the more I think I would love the sound of the HK for classical recordings. When I was window shopping at Best Buy, they told me that the Polk R50s had to be paired with a 5.1 receiver. The HK is stereo (correct?) so it's not a 5.1 system. It also is rated for 4 Ohms on the specs page. Will the HK be compatible with the R50s or was the Best Buy guy wrong about the 5.1 requirement? Thanks for the help.

oifvet0608

yes he is very wrong, these speakers can be used for stereo and they will work with the HK. I have seen and heard this exact setup in action when I worked at Circuit City (years ago when we earned our paychecks thru commission and knew what we were talking about).

habibandalex

Thanks for the help. I'm bidding on the HK 3385 on ebay. They're obviously less powerful, but they're cheaper. HK is doing direct from the factory warranty offers, which is great. From what I can tell, the watt and Ohm breakdown is still acceptable.

cnh

Cheaper than 175? We'll see? I bet the bidding take it up over wizzy's price for a more powerful piece!

cnh

habibandalex

Yeah, well, I figure the shipping from NC to New England for a 20lb. box will add quite a bit to wizzy's price, which would still be a deal. One went for 135, just an hour ago. Maybe I'll luck out!

oifvet0608

Good luck with your purchase, I think you will be very suprised when you finally get it and hook it up.

habibandalex

The one I bought actually went for $117, plus 18 for shipping. If it's not quite as nice, I'll know why. Plus with the 30 day return policy, I can always return it if it's awful. But from what all of you seem to say about the HK brand, I have a hard time believing it will not be of good quality.

habibandalex

In your experience, is it really that bad?

oifvet0608

huh? I was implying that HK receivers are the best that I have ever used, especially for what you plan to use it for. As for suprised...I think you will turn into an audio junkie like we are. The speakers will match perfectly with the receiver you ordered. Good purchase, you got a great deal on it, I am sure you will not return it. Have fun!!!, Jason

habibandalex

AHH! It's so true. I can already feel it happening. I need to tear myself away, so I can pay for more lessons and fly to auditions. Music is so expensive. Thanks for all the help!

oifvet0608

No problem, do you have any recordings? I like all kinds of music.

habibandalex

Like of me playing? Not electronically that I could send. Funny story. The two people I engaged to record my last recital didn't show, so I don't have a recent recording of any quality. Making a halfway-decent CD is on my "to do" list, which is why my last electronic purchase was a Zoom H-2 recorder. It's pretty good for the price, plus it's great for recording my students. I plug it into the receiver at work and they can hear how they sound immediately. Paying the real recording pros is expensive, so I'm going to wait until I'm actually good enough to require that kind of quality in a CD. Take care.

cnh

Looks like I was wrong, you did good habibandalex. I'm in New England myself. What do you play? Or are you a singer?

Now you need a decent CD-player. Those are going to cost some coin. I'm going to throw out a mid-fi unit for you that I like, though guys here have much 'better'.

I like the Pioneer Elite PD-D9-J....is it the best, no? Is it good, yes. Is it cheap, no. Is it expensive not for most of our 'high end' guys..less than a 1000. There are others in that range, then there is the Jolida crowd. I haven't heard those so you have to assess your budget and get out there and listen. The Pioneer does SACD. And has twin Wolfson DACs.

cnh