B&K model comparison

NeilGabriel
NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
edited December 2009 in Electronics
Can anyone give me some info on difference between the AVR 307 and the 507...the 507 even went on to a series II.

I am having a small nervous breakdown choosing between the two.

Thanks for any help.

Mike
Post edited by NeilGabriel on
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited December 2009
    Do a search here (& on B&K site, discontinued manuals) for the AVR-317. It is basically a AVR-307 with upgrades done to make it a AVR-507. Unfortunately, B&K no longer does the upgrades. (You had to ship it to them)

    I bought a silver faceplate for mine from a guy here in Seattle, and he had had the upgrade done, and he said it was basically a different 'plug-in' board (sorry I don't remember the technical term he used)

    I know there was a member here who recently sold a 317 and I think he detailed the upgrades (or it was discussed somewhere in that thread)

    I have a AVR-307 and I absolutely LOVE IT. I use a Harmony 550 remote, setup to switch everything based on activity, and it works great for me. So I would say it depends on your requirements and what capacity/ DAC your DVD/CD players have. For my it was a 'no-brainer' when I found a AVR-307 for $320, even though I also had a lead on a AVR-507 series II for $750. But I couldn't see spending the extra $$$$ for the added features.

    What I do know off of the top of my head:
    Same power/ 150wpc@8ohm/ 185wpc@4ohm
    current: 28amp
    Same connection options: Compodent Video..ie Not HDMI
    AVR-507 has newer Dolby, yadda.ect codex
    Both have 5.1 outputs, plus an additional Zone 1 Full Range output and a Zone 2 Full Range output. So lots of external amp options.

    I hope that helps....IDK why B&K doesn't seem to get much mention/ 'love' around here....I think they make great products.
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  • JuanR
    JuanR Posts: 718
    edited December 2009
    Hello Kcoc321,

    I just bought a 307 on Flea-bay, i'm still waiting for it to arrive, right now the plan is to hook it up to a VM 30 setup (although I have a pair LSI 9's and LSI 7's that I have sitting - waiting for me to buy the AVR or Separates for) . I was a bit hesitant on getting this AVR because of the "no HDMI" and the fewer options it has in respect to the 507. BUt I like the power it's rated at so I decided to go for it. Can you elaborate on your set-up, speakers, etc. and any tips on setting this AVR-307 up? and any features you like about it. Your help is much appreciated.

    Juan
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    The AVR307 is the better deal.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited December 2009
    JuanR wrote: »
    Hello Kcoc321,
    I just bought a 307 on Flea-bay, i'm still waiting for it to arrive, right now the plan is to hook it up to a VM 30 setup (although I have a pair LSI 9's and LSI 7's that I have sitting - waiting for me to buy the AVR or Separates for) . I was a bit hesitant on getting this AVR because of the "no HDMI" and the fewer options it has in respect to the 507. BUt I like the power it's rated at so I decided to go for it. Can you elaborate on your set-up, speakers, etc. and any tips on setting this AVR-307 up? and any features you like about it. Your help is much appreciated.
    Juan
    Right on Juan...I hope you enoy it as much as I do mine. I would definably hook up those LSi's. FIRST thing.

    Setup:
    First thing I did was a factory reset. [SLEEP, DOWN & MENU buttons pressed simultaneously] pg75
    2nd: Turn on 'Advanced features' option [SLLEP, UP & DOWN simultaneously] pg 71.
    3rd: Take the manual to bed as night reading for a week. This thing has features that I am just now starting to play with.
    4. Get a Harmony Remote & program it. Course I did not get a B&K remote with mine, so IDK how user friendly it is.

    Features I like:
    1. the warm sound, Power, high current,
    2. multiple outputs for external amps,
    3. option to set Cross-over level for each speaker channel, ie Front, Center, side, Rear
    4. 40 user-customizable presets (and each saves all the setting, and can be modified/ adjusted) I even have different presets saved for different HD channels on Comcast, since I have found some channels have different levels for Front/ Center/ Surround.
    5. Ability to modify the 'current settings' in the OSD, without having to actually go into the menu. And it doesn't change the default setting, unless I save it as a User preset.

    Features I have not played with, but HAVE to try: Notch filters.

    I have Mon 7b's & RTA8TL's, CSi5 center, Mon 5jrs (rears), VS-25's (IDK where they will land yet). I run the fronts on both the AVR and/ or thru a B&K ST1400 SII. (125wpc@8ohm/ 185wpc@4ohm) I have a PSW250 & PSW350 subs that I run together or seperately. Sometimes X-overed, somethimes using the "Ultra setting" (runs speakers F/R with sub output also.
    I have a Harmony 550 remote.

    What else would you like to know?

    FYI: here is a great B&K comparison spreadsheet I found (sorry does not have the AVR-507)
    http://www.bkcomp.com/fileadmin/content/bk_support/FAQ/Previous%20Amp%20Specs.pdf
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited December 2009
    The notch filters are really useful but overall the GUI from B&K is awful.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited December 2009
    dorokusai wrote: »
    The notch filters are really useful but overall the GUI from B&K is awful.
    I guess I have just figured my way around it, cuz I can find what I want okay...course I had a AVR-101 before this, so I had some previous pracice, and I don't have anything to compare it to, since the Denons I had before didn't even have OSD, so to me OSD was a luxury...hehe
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  • JuanR
    JuanR Posts: 718
    edited December 2009
    Fantastic advice Kcoc321!
    I appreciate you taking the time to note some useful tips. Like I said this AVR will be used to power the VM series in my family room. The Lsi9/Lsi7's will be used in my bedroom at a later time when I get the funds to buy the power for them....unless I come across another AVR to power the VM's and use the B&K AVR-307 for the LSI's. I'm also thinking of going with separates for those LSI's.


    Now, since i'm pretty new at this. What are the "notch filters" used for??? Sorry if this is a stupid question :)...but the only stupid question I know of is the one that was never asked :)

    Thanks again

    Juan
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited December 2009
    JuanR wrote: »
    >>
    Now, since i'm pretty new at this. What are the "notch filters" used for??? Sorry if this is a stupid question :)...but the only stupid question I know of is the one that was never asked :)
    Thanks again
    Juan

    Well, you will have to wait for someone more knowledgeable than I to explain NF's to you. Basically it allows you to block a frequency or range of frequencies...One use I have read about is 'notching' the room reflection frequency, but I have not researched it much yet.

    I did find this thru a search:
    http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Band-stop_filter?fwd=1&qpvt=notch+filter&src=abop&q=notch+filter
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited December 2009
    I have an avr 202 which I have sent back for the second time because of popping when turned from sleep to on and what I call current leak....in the back left channel...fairly loud intermittent static in sleep mode. I also have a REF 20 processor. I love the sound of both but when reading Audioreview.com (I think), people generally loved the 307 but complained about clicking when changing sound modes and about the static hum when the unit is on or maybe in sleep mode. I know B&K claims there is a reason they intentionally have this clicking sound but I don't remember why.....thanks for opinions...others appreciated.

    p.s. I have skimmed the manuals and the units seem very similar for the very basic things that I care about....I love my audio but I don't care to become an audio enginer....
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  • JuanR
    JuanR Posts: 718
    edited December 2009
    ARGhhhhh! I just received my AVR-307 with no power cord and NOT the original remote...instead I receveived a Sony Satellite Receiver remote -NOT WHAT IS IN THE POSTING :(. I sent him an e-mail asking about the remote....Anybody have any suggestions on a universal remote? I see Kcoc321 uses a Harmony 550. How about suggestions on a power cord?

    Thanks

    Juan
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited December 2009
    I've had very good luck with my Harmony remotes, especially since they upgraded their website...I find the interface very user friendly. I'm sure the Harmony model is less complex than some and there are functions for which I grab the original remote for the equipment....I suppose I could teach it to do some of these functions better.
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