Harmon Kardon AVR354

greyford1979
greyford1979 Posts: 749
edited March 2010 in Electronics
I have a chance to get an HK AVR354 from a neighbor for $40. The receiver sounds fine and everything seems to be working fine. The only thing is that it's missing the remote which is no big deal. Main reason I'm interested is because it has the TrueHD and DTSHD decoding. I currently have a Sony STRSE591 which I know is not the greatest receiver in the world and I'm not made of money to buy the expansive toys:( But I've owned it for what seems like forever, something like 10 years or so and it has served me well as I've never had any problems with it and has sounded good to me all these years and is still going strong. My question is will I truly hear a big difference going from normal Dolby digital/DTS which I have have hooked up with an optical cable from my blu ray player, compared to the TrueHd thru HDMI? And if so is this a good receiver? For the price I would think that this would be a great buy for an HK. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
I love animals, they're delicious!
Post edited by greyford1979 on
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Comments

  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited February 2010
    Uh...yea dude. Jump on that. If you don't like ...I take it off your hands.:)
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  • bevo
    bevo Posts: 306
    edited February 2010
    It looks like it goes for 350$ used online. 40$ looks like a steal.
    Denon 1909, want to upgrade for pre outs
    Fronts-polk RTi A5
    center-polk CSi A4
    Sides Polk FXi A6
    rears- polk rm8's
    sub-SVS pb-13 ultra
    Blue ray-ps3
    Panasonic plasma 50 inch
    Buttkicker(don't use or need it anymore since getting the Ultra)
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,961
    edited February 2010
    I own the HK 354 and it's an excellent midrange AVR in my opinion. For 40 dollars, it is truly a no brainer. You can probably find a replacement remote for 15 bucks or so (That's right, for about 40% of what you paid for the actual unit), so GO FOR IT!

    I'm sure you will hear a difference...how big is up to the individual ear!

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited February 2010
    Thank you guys for the quick replies...looks like I will have a new receiver:D
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited February 2010
    I have a 254 and the 354 is the next step up from mine. For $40 it is an amazing deal.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited March 2010
    crap......i paid 300 for a refurb!granted it was from hk themselves and arrived in mint condition w/ all accessories....JUMP ALL OVER THAT!
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited March 2010
    Well I got the receiver from my neighbor. Didn't really use it much since I got it til today. Thought everything was working fine til I turned the volume up a little, below average normal listening levels, and I just started to get loud static from all the speakers and then they started cutting in and out and then completely lost sound. It did this with all sources. I shut the unit off and checked all wiring, all sources...everything was fine. Hooked up the old receiver and everything was fine. Tried the HK again and the same thing happened so i quickly shut it off in fear of damaging my speakers. Spoke with my neighbor and he said it worked perfect for him and I must have done something to it:mad:. I know I only paid $40 but I was expecting it to work like when he showed me in his house, I guess I should have had him really turn the volume up. Maybe it was a preexisting problem that he knew about, hence the $40 selling price. I know enough about this stuff to wire it correctly and use it properly, but he still insists it magically only did it once I got it. So now I have a broken receiver and a neighbor I don't care for too much any more as he said the deal is done, it's my receiver:(
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited March 2010
    I forgot to ask, but does anyone know what could be possibly wrong with it? Worth taking it somewhere to have it fixed? :confused:
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,798
    edited March 2010
    Maybe see if there is some kind of reset you can do. Have you been able to get into the GUI menu system (on your TV) and check all the settings? Those AVRs need careful setup to get everything right.

    If its not something simple, I'd suspect that your neighbor pulled a fast one on you. After all, it really didn't make much sense that anyone in their right mind would sell a $500 (new) receiver for $40 after it was only 1-2 years old. Egg his house, or maybe leave a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep.

    It might be worth fixing, but you'd be looking at pretty significant money. Most shops charge at least $70 to diagnose and parts can run into the hundreds of dollars for replacement PC boards.
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited March 2010
    That sucks man. I was curious why he would be selling it so cheap to begin with... There is a reset you can try. I am pretty sure it is to press and hold the ok button for 5 seconds. You could also call HK and see that they say. The 354 has preouts so I am curious if you could use it as a pre/pro and get an amp.
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2010
    billbillw wrote: »
    Maybe see if there is some kind of reset you can do. Have you been able to get into the GUI menu system (on your TV) and check all the settings? Those AVRs need careful setup to get everything right.

    If its not something simple, I'd suspect that your neighbor pulled a fast one on you. After all, it really didn't make much sense that anyone in their right mind would sell a $500 (new) receiver for $40 after it was only 1-2 years old. Egg his house, or maybe leave a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep.

    It might be worth fixing, but you'd be looking at pretty significant money. Most shops charge at least $70 to diagnose and parts can run into the hundreds of dollars for replacement PC boards.

    Since you only put out 40 dollars it might be 'worth' it to have someone take a look? If you can repair this for just a bit more you'd have one fine AVR on your hands!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,961
    edited March 2010
    You broke the number one rule...always listen to something plugged in before buying it. It's a shame you didn't ask your neighbor to hook it in and play it so you could listen to what you were buying before giving the cash over. If he pulled one of those, "What...don't you trust me" deals, you could have simply said that you are picky with sound and want to hear if it's overly bright or something like that...but I guess it's not too expensive a lesson to learn. It coudl have been worse.

    Did your neighbor have the setup microphone? My 354 has a setup microphone that does auto calibration for the room, with directions to follow. I would attempt that before giving up on it. At worst, you could probably sell it 'as is' on ebay for a few bucks, start the bidding at 10 bucks, and see what you get.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,798
    edited March 2010
    Heck, they sell for at least $50 in various broken states on Ebay.
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited March 2010
    Thanks guys! I did audition the receiver at his house, but like I said not at a normal HT listening level...I guess I should have had him turn it up more. I was just so excited, like that little kid at Christmas feeling. I did use the mic that came with it for the initial setup. I will start with the reset option first when I get home from work and go from there. If nothing works out My bro-in-law knows a good shop around here that does good work and is very reasonable. He just had a receiver rebuilt for only $100, if I can get away with just that and the original $40, then looks like it will still be worth it. Thanks again guys!
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited March 2010
    Have it looked at greyford. That is a very nice receiver and like the others said is worth around $300 used on ebay. Just double check all your connections and make sure everything is tight. Also, what speakers are you using? Just wondering if you might be having an impedance problem. Good luck

    Dominic
    Home Theater
    RTiA5 - CSiA6 - FXiA6 - PSW650 - Pioneer Elite SC-55 - Carver AV-505 - Sony 46" 120Hz - Monster HP 2400 - Xbox 360 - Playstation 3
    2 Channel
    Polk RTA 15TL - Harman Kardon HK3485 - HK DVD48 - Signal Cable IC's and speaker cables
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,961
    edited March 2010
    Heck...ask your neighbor if it is still under warranty...you may be able to send it in free of charge and get it fixed, or at least evaluated to tell you what is wrong and how much it will be to fix it.
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,798
    edited March 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    Heck...ask your neighbor if it is still under warranty...you may be able to send it in free of charge and get it fixed, or at least evaluated to tell you what is wrong and how much it will be to fix it.

    Yeah, definitely check into that. Harman actually does warranty exchanges on their newer receiver. You would send in yours and get a new refurbished one as a replacement.
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  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited March 2010
    Unfortunately no warranty:( I did the reset like some suggested, was working great with volume up at higher levels...thought it worked, until I went into the menu to adjust some things and it started acting up again. This time the noise was more of like a boiling water noise:confused: Then I plugged the receiver directly into the wall outlet thinking what if maybe the power conditioner is causing it...again worked great until I went into the menu and the horrible noise was back. checked all connections again and all was well. I contacted HK's tech support but they have yet to reply to me. Guess next step is to call my bro-in-laws guy. Looks like I'll be without my HT for awhile:mad:, I gave my Sony to my brother. Thanks for the help guys, keep your fingers crossed for me lol.
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited March 2010
    Well for 40 bucks there had to be something wrong w/ it.
    If it sounds to good to be true............
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • greyford1979
    greyford1979 Posts: 749
    edited March 2010
    rcrook317 wrote: »
    Well for 40 bucks there had to be something wrong w/ it.
    If it sounds to good to be true............

    Yep I had to find out the hard way lol...well i guess even if i pay to get it fixed it will still be less than what they go for:o As for the neighbor...he's definitely not invited to any more bbqs:D
    I love animals, they're delicious!
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