Harman Kardon AVR 247 or 347 Users...

2michaud
2michaud Posts: 132
edited August 2008 in Electronics
Hi all,

I'm going to cut right to the chase. Maybe all you Harman Kardon users can help me with this since you are familiar with their power ratings. I have an AVR 247 right now. I have an opportunity to upgrade to an AVR 347 for about $200. The 5 extra watts per channel is really the only benefit. How much better will this make the system in my sig? Just louder and more dynamic?

Thanks!
I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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Comments

  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited July 2008
    5 watts added can't be heard by anyone, as it would be less than 1 dB louder. I would put $200 toward separate amplification of your mains/front channels if the 247 has preamp outputs.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • iskandam
    iskandam Posts: 704
    edited July 2008
    I used to have the exact same set up as you, with the RTi8s, CSi5s and FXi3s. The 247 drives them just fine. I agree with Dennis Gardner. Save the $200 and get a quality multichannel amp to really open up the RTis
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited August 2008
    Thanks for your responses. The harman kardon has 8 channel pre-amp outs. What are my ootions with this? Am I able to run my center and surrounds off of the 247's amp while using an external stereo amp for my fronts? What are some really good stereo amplifiers out there that don't have the "audiophile" price tag, but are still high quality?

    Thanks
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited August 2008
    I'd give some advice, but it has already been given. Amp your fronts, and maybe center, and maybe all. The HK is a very decent pre at a real low price point. I wish I kept mine.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited August 2008
    2michaud wrote: »
    Thanks for your responses. The harman kardon has 8 channel pre-amp outs. What are my ootions with this? Am I able to run my center and surrounds off of the 247's amp while using an external stereo amp for my fronts? What are some really good stereo amplifiers out there that don't have the "audiophile" price tag, but are still high quality?

    Thanks

    Yes, you will be able to separately amplify your mains while driving your center and surrounds with built-in amps in 247.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited August 2008
    Ok, that makes sense. Would this amp currently being sold in the FS folder be a good otion?

    B&K Reference Amp 2220. $600

    Thanks
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited August 2008
    Ok, that makes sense. Would this amp currently being sold in the FS folder be a good otion?

    B&K Reference Amp 2220. $600

    Yes it would be an excellent choice.

    For about the same price there is also this option on Audiogon. However the Ref 4430 does not have a remote power on which is not good in my opinion.

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1222018134
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
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  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited August 2008
    2michaud wrote: »
    Ok, that makes sense. Would this amp currently being sold in the FS folder be a good otion?

    B&K Reference Amp 2220. $600

    Thanks

    That's an amazing amp. It will drive anything you'll throw at it. Probably an overkill to drive RTi speakers though.
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited August 2008
    Thanks very much for your input, and the suggestions. I appreciate it. =)
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited August 2008
    One thing to keep in mind though is that if you're watching a lot of movies, and you have a front soundstage that's 200w LC, 50w(or whatever) C, and 200w RC, you're going to hear dramatic sound dipping on things moving across the front............also, your vocals will be lower, so you should look into upping the center channel volume if possible to try to flatten that out.

    Personally, I'd want my front stage running all about the same power, but it all depends on the capability of the center channel you have too......(which your CSi5 would handle the 220w fine)
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited August 2008
    Thats a really good point. Thanks brettw22.
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited August 2008
    Here's what a little more then $200 can get you http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1221868995 ...You can run this amp in 3 channel mode so your front stage would all be the same volume. That eliminates the need to jack up the center channel volume in order to keep things even.

    There are pretty unlimited amp options out there. Here's a $600 option. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1221087231
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  • RutgersFTW
    RutgersFTW Posts: 458
    edited August 2008
    I got my NAD C270 for $200 off Audiogon and it brought my RTi8s, RTi6, and current daily speakers of choice to life. Everyone is right - buy an amp!
    Currently listening to:

    Marantz SR5004
    Sony BDP-S370
    Apple TV V2
    Audio Technica AT-LP120
    Mirage CMD-5 x 5
    Bic H-100
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