Harmon Kardon or something else?

sk1939
sk1939 Posts: 295
edited December 2009 in Electronics
OK, get this, I put on Jim Croce on CD yesterday, and went to power on my reciever...click...and then "Protect"...I checked for the usual grounded wires, etc....there was nothing...I even unplugged the speakers and the reciever, plugges only the reciever back in, powered it on...worked for a second with the A/B/A+B/Off switch set to off, as soon as I turned it to A..."Protect".

I guess my reciver "up and died" to quote the late Jim Croce, and now for better or for worse I need to buy something to replace my Sony. From my other thread, I'm already considering the HK 3390 (although this makes buying it a little more urgent), but I would like other reccomendations as well, maybe something from Onkyo? It can even be an integrated amp, as the tuner section will be used seldomly

Budget: $250-300
Genre of Music: Everything (Rap, Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Classical)
Type of Sound: Flat or Warm
Load: TSi 100's (also have a PSW10 that will be connected)
Sources: CD Player (analogue out) and computer (analogue out).
Outputs: Subout and Preouts would be nice, but not necessary...
Home:
Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
Home 2 (Playback):
Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
College:
JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
Post edited by sk1939 on
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Comments

  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,546
    edited December 2009
    For a touch warm side of neutral what about NAD or Marantz? Check http://www.audioadvisor.com
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • KASR
    KASR Posts: 450
    edited December 2009
    I agree with Steve - Marantz has a great sound...if not, the H/K is a great choice as well.
    Living room:
    Optoma HD20
    Elite Sable 100"
    Marantz NR1501
    Polk RM6750
    Polk Monitor 50 x 2
    Polk CS1
    2 x Polk PSW110
    2x Sennheiser RS120
    Toshiba HD-A20 x 2
    Vizio VBR220
    Sony CDP-CE375
    Xbox 360 Elite
    --
    Bedroom:
    Olevia 242T
    Sony BDP-S370
    Xbox 360 Pro
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    steveinaz wrote: »
    For a touch warm side of neutral what about NAD or Marantz? Check http://www.audioadvisor.com

    Would love to, the prices are too high unfortunately....so far these are what I'm considering.....mostly the Denon and the Harmon Kardon (the Sony is in there because it can be had for $100).

    Sony DH-100
    Onkyo TX-8255
    Denon DRA-297
    Harmon Kardon 3390
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited December 2009
    You might want to consider this Marantz from Accessories4less.com

    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4023/Marantz/Sr4023-80w-X-2ch-Ci-Friendly-Stereo-Receiver/1.html
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    DaveMuell wrote: »
    You might want to consider this Marantz from Accessories4less.com

    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4023/Marantz/Sr4023-80w-X-2ch-Ci-Friendly-Stereo-Receiver/1.html

    I'll seriously consider it at least, although $314 is really pushing the budget. Anyone know anything about this Marantz? Or why it's so cheap, since everywhere else has it for $500 (disreputable company?scam?)...
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • MrGlobe
    MrGlobe Posts: 401
    edited December 2009
    Man thats a sweet looking sony receiver you've got. I've got the D1015, it doesn't have the graphic equalizer like yours, but it sure is a powerhouse.

    I have a H/K HT reciever, and I would not hesitate to recommend H/K products. I have been satisfied with its performance and I like to look of it as well.
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  • DollarDave
    DollarDave Posts: 2,575
    edited December 2009
    They are a reputable company, and an authorized reseller. This is a refurbished unit that gives you great bang for the buck.
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    DaveMuell wrote: »
    They are a reputable company, and an authorized reseller. This is a refurbished unit that gives you great bang for the buck.

    Hmm, I'll take that into consideration....I'm always leary about buying online, and new if preferable to used, but still...I'll take a look at it....

    So far the HK is winning, followed by the Denon and Marantz....

    What is the reliability of Marantz nowadays? It went down for quite a while if I recall duing the 80's and early 90's.....
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    OK, so I've narrowed it down to 2 different choices....

    1) Marantz SR4023
    2) Harmon Kardon 3390
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    sk1939 wrote: »
    OK, so I've narrowed it down to 2 different choices....

    1) Marantz SR4023
    2) Harmon Kardon 3390

    I meant to ask, which do you all like better, I have no experiance with either other than knowing about the brand names...
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • anton.chigurh
    anton.chigurh Posts: 239
    edited December 2009
    The Marantz might be worth looking into... but I'd be inclined to step up to the h/k 3490 (120w) over the 3390 (80w)? The refurbs on the h/k ebays store have been going for the low end of your budget...shipped. They're basically new with full factory warranty. Do a search...a lot of positive reviews from some respected people on here.
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited December 2009
    I vote for the Harman Kardon as well, + 1 for the HK ebay store, theres some really great deals to be had there.
    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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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    I would go with the H/K between the two.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    So the majority of the votes go towards the Harmon Kardon huh...will do, although the Marantz seems more "audiophile" grade, the Harmon Kardon suits my needs just fine (and I'll have money left over). I've been reading in past posts that HK's seem to have problems with reliability, but this seems to be more related to their AVRs, is it something that I need to be wary/watchful of?
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    sk1939 wrote: »
    So the majority of the votes go towards the Harmon Kardon huh...will do, although the Marantz seems more "audiophile" grade, the Harmon Kardon suits my needs just fine (and I'll have money left over). I've been reading in past posts that HK's seem to have problems with reliability, but this seems to be more related to their AVRs, is it something that I need to be wary/watchful of?

    I wouldn't worry too much about it.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • mrbofus
    mrbofus Posts: 297
    edited December 2009
    I think you'll find that the H/K get mentioned lots here. many seem to not worry much about the "issues". I just got a new onkyo but am very interested in the H/k and would love to hear one....
    Good luck.
    Sharp Aqous 40" LCD
    Onkyo TX SR-507 AVR
    Onkyo DX-C390 CD Changer
    POLK RTI8 Mains--Cherry
    the rest...in process...slowly!!
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  • Libertyc
    Libertyc Posts: 915
    edited December 2009
    The HK 3490 is a solid piece of gear. I have one in the bedroom rig and sounds good for a receiver.
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  • sk1939
    sk1939 Posts: 295
    edited December 2009
    Alright, hows this for mind boggling, the receiver works again.....and now it dosen't. It seems to like to pick when it functions and when it dosen't. I guess thats a sign that if it hasn't gone yet, it's going. Hopefully it'll last through the holiday season, I won't be able to get the HK until after the new year. But thanks for the input all, I think the HK will be best.
    Home:
    Onkyo TX-6500MKII/Polk LSI 9's (A)Polk TSi 100(B)/Polk PSW 10/Onkyo C-S5VL/Technics SL-QD33
    Home 2 (Playback):
    Dynaudio BM5A MKII/Dynaudio SUB 250MC/Audigy 2 ZS
    College:
    JBL LSR 2325P/JBL 2310SP/MOTU UltraLite MKIII
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter