Harman Kardon HK-3390

sk1939

Yes? No? Is it a good receiver? Thinking about requesting it as a gift for the holiday season. Is it a good receiver? Any other suggestions? I'm thinking about replacing my Sony (old, heavy, sound quality is good) with something with more power/more modern (and has a remote).

I'm really not looking to spend more than $250 incl. shipping if possible...I like the fact that it has both sub and preouts....

coolsax

HK is a pretty good product.. you might want to look at the 3480 and 3485 refurbished if you can.. those have a little more power..

sk1939

coolsax wrote: »

HK is a pretty good product.. you might want to look at the 3480 and 3485 refurbished if you can.. those have a little more power..

Aren't those older models?....remember that I'm only powering 2 TSi 100's...hardly a demanding load. so I think 80W is sufficient (am I wrong?)...

EDIT: It looks like they do have a sub out, but refurbished they are more expensive...

coolsax

yes if its just two Tsi100's the 80 watts should be plenty

sk1939

Ok, so here's a question....my equipment is listed under my first post....should I get a pair of Monitor 60's instead? Or go for the receiver?.....both are about the same cost.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd look at upgrading the receiver. The HK 2 channel receivers are way underrated, they're VERY good receivers. I traded out my integrated amp for the 3480 for convenience, and ended up with an upgrade in sound quality.

I have an extra 3480 in storage that I'm not using, have 2 in use right now. I may be willing to part with it if you happen to be local, but don't really wanna mess with shipping it, plus I'd want you to be able to listen to it before buying it anyway - where are you located?

sk1939

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I'd look at upgrading the receiver. The HK 2 channel receivers are way underrated, they're VERY good receivers. I traded out my integrated amp for the 3480 for convenience, and ended up with an upgrade in sound quality.

I have an extra 3480 in storage that I'm not using, have 2 in use right now. I may be willing to part with it if you happen to be local, but don't really wanna mess with shipping it, plus I'd want you to be able to listen to it before buying it anyway - where are you located?

North Central PA

AsSiMiLaTeD

Ah, well I'm in the DFW area, but if I were you I'd be on the lookout for a 3480 or the newer version of that. It's only a little more power, but it's a better receiver all around IMO.

sk1939

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Ah, well I'm in the DFW area, but if I were you I'd be on the lookout for a 3480 or the newer version of that. It's only a little more power, but it's a better receiver all around IMO.

Is it that much better? Whats the difference?

AsSiMiLaTeD

I don't know all the technical differences, but I tried them both at first and the 33xx series just didn't have the oomph that the 34xx had for me

sk1939

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I don't know all the technical differences, but I tried them both at first and the 33xx series just didn't have the oomph that the 34xx had for me

Hmm....I'll consider it, but I think that the 34xx is out of my price range, and again, 80W should be enough oompf for some TSi 100's......you think the receiver would be a better upgrade than the speakers?

domflane

Upgrade the receiver first. The Tsi100's will wake up a little when you put the Harman on them and then down the road you can opt for bigger speakers. If your only concern is 2 ch then you should think about going vintage, you can find an older pair of monitors or the older RT series for pretty cheap on CL. Whats nice about the HK is that it gives you the option to add an amp in the future. Good luck with your upgrade . . .

AsSiMiLaTeD

grabbing the 34xx over the 33xx will also give you more options for upgrading your speakers down the road, the extra juice in the 34xx will make driving a heavy 4 ohm load like the LSi series a more realixtic option.

There's a 3480 on ebay right now for a BIN price of 119, I'd take that over the 3390 on HKs website for $245 any day.

Conradicles

In the past I have owned both the 3480 and 3490 and loved them. Great budget stereo receivers.
I like the fact the displays can be turned off as well.
Nice warm detailed sound.

sk1939

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

grabbing the 34xx over the 33xx will also give you more options for upgrading your speakers down the road, the extra juice in the 34xx will make driving a heavy 4 ohm load like the LSi series a more realixtic option.

There's a 3480 on ebay right now for a BIN price of 119, I'd take that over the 3390 on HKs website for $245 any day.

Is the 3480/90 able to drive a load like an LSi well? I'll see about getting it....I'm always leary about buying used equipment, especially off ebay....

Conradicles

It will push LSi's fine.

cnh

Look at AsSimiLaTed's gear....he's driving LSIs with that AVR...and a number of others are driving even larger LSIs and SDAs with the same!]

cnh

RyanJoz

I drove RTiA9's with a 3370 for a while until i got the upgrade bug. The big difference I notice with the Adcom GFA 5503 amp is bass response. With the HK receiver the bass was there, but never this noticeable. I turn the sub off for music and only have it on slightly for HT. The receiver will do a good job until you get the urge to do some serious upgrading.

cdn5003

I have the 3490 powering Rti A3s. It powers them easily and has plenty of headroom. I believe that the 80 watt HK would be plenty of power for your Tsi series speakers. There might not be any difference between the two when driving efficient speakers. The build quality of HK stereo receivers is excellent. They are built like tanks. The sub out is a great feature both of them have.

My vote would be to get the 3390 unless you plan on getting less efficient speakers or need optical/coaxial connections. You can always add a power amp to the 3390 and use it as a preamp. Both are great choices though.