Harman Kardon AVR 7550HD (2008 announcement) - Page 6

Hi Bill

what are you listening on?

David

David,

I have a Onkyo 886.

Bill

In the owners manual, it says you have to go through an input setup, but does not go in to much detail.
What I was wondering, is can you have only the 5 inputs seen on the remote (TV/DVD/SAT/Game/Aux), or can you set it up to have more options?

Bottom line, by using a combination of HDMI/Digital/Analogue, in theory, there are 17 audio inputs (plus 1 for 8ch). I was hoping to use 9-10 of them. Is this possible to do, without reconfiguring inputs when I wish to change sources?

If anyone who was lucky enough to get one of these receivers could offer some insight, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill..
Be careful here..
Just because nothing is said in the marketing brochures about sample rate limitations. This situation is very similar to all of the BS about power output specifications. The brochure states 100 Watts and the actual test lab measurements show 31 Watts. Also as you probably are aware and seen in certain Test Reports the sampling rate is often stepped within certain Yamaha and Onkyo AVRs..
All related to the final product cost..
Because they don't say anything, doesn't mean much.

Just my $0.015..

if you dont get a response by end of day (at work now), I will test and let you know. I am almost certain that you can use the combination of analog + digital for the same inputs as I have done this in the past on other receivers, but haven't tried it on the 7550 yet.

M Code,

Why should I be careful? My question in my post that you quoted in part states that maybe Onkyo left that information out. So why the need to say it again referring to power ratings? Did I step into an area I should not have? You seem somewhat upset by my question. Why is that?

I am honestly trying to find out if Audyssey Dynamic Volume has the same limitations as Dolby Volume. I read quite a bit yesterday on Audyssey Dynamic EQ/Volume from the Audyssey site and from several reviews. There was no mention of any sampling rate limitations. Are there any limitations I do not know but I am just curious to know if there are any. I have no experience with Dolby Volume and it could very well be superior to Dynamic Volume in every way.

Maybe you think I am slamming Dolby Volume and HK products when in fact I am not.

Bill

You can setup the following ones generically, using a combination of Analog/digial inputs:-
Cable/Sat
DVD
TV
Game
Media Server
AUX
Source A
Source B
Source C
Source D

Thus you can have a total of upto 10 difference Audio and 10 different Video setups with the unit. Hope this help.

How does the amplifier section of the 7550 HD compare to that of the previous best (AVR 8000/8500)?

The 1600, 2600 and 3600 are now listed on the U.S. HK website, along with the 3550HD, and their two stereo receivers.

No mention yet of the 7550HD.

Blu-ray BDP-1 is there too.

Thanks asrman, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Will definitely be getting one of these then.

Well....what happened to the guys that recieved these recievers?

I would like to hear the all the good and bad points. Did they get it right?

I'm torn between this one and the Denon 4810. I really want to open up my surrounds like I had with my old 445. Big question, can you apply the Logic 7 to 2 channel audio, i.e. spread it out from just the L/R speakers?

For the 7550HD..

Logic 7 can be applied for the following:

• 2-CH Digital (DD, PCM) or Analog > 5.1 or 7.1 output
• 5.1 Dolby (DD, DD+, TruAudio) 5.1 or 7.1 output
• 5.1 DTS (SD, Master Audio) 5.1 or 7.1 output
• 5.1 Analog > 7.1 output

Just my $0.015...

Now was this the same as the 445 or is this an upgrade?

BTW, I loved my HK reciever. I just hope they got it right.

The Logic 7 functions are similar to the 445 except the 7550HD has many, many more features such as:

• More power output (110W/CH vs. 65W/CH)
• HDMI 1.3 Capability
• 4 HDMI Inputs
• HD Audio Decoding
• 1080p HD Video Capability
• EzSet/EQ with (2) Subwoofers
• Internet Radio
• Network Capability
• Dolby Volume
• HD Video Scaler/Processor
• USB Host
• Trigger Outs
• Zone II Video

Just my $0.015...

M Code,

None of those features answers anything about L7.

My I ask if you have any connection w/HK?

He said, "The Logic 7 functions are similar to the 445"

Noah..
I broke out the L7 features a couple of posts back..
Here is a recap..

"For the 7550HD..

Logic 7 can be applied for the following:
2-CH Digital (DD, PCM) or Analog > 5.1 or 7.1 output
5.1 Dolby (DD, DD+, TruAudio) 5.1 or 7.1 output
5.1 DTS (SD, Master Audio) 5.1 or 7.1 output
5.1 Analog > 7.1 output"

Today I have no connection with HK..

Just my $0.015..

I have had my SR8002 for about 8 months. Really like the Marantz, great sounding for both music and movies, many features, great looking unit.

I have always liked the sound of HK products but because they have been plagued with issues in the past I have never pulled the trigger.

I am looking at the 7550HD based on this thread. I have also considered the 3550HD with an Emotiva XPA-3 to power the mains and center channel.

I use my system for 75% HT, 25% music. My speakers are the SVS SCS-01 for my mains and center and SBS-01 for my side and rear surrounds (7.1 set-up)

Should I stick with my Marantz or take a chance on an HK.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

Being the Marantz is less than a year old and you like the sound, why replace it. Does the HK have enough new features to warrent replacing the Marantz.

I currently have AVRs from each, though there is a difference of 5 years between them. Soundwise, there is very little difference between the two.

But b/c the HK 635 is 5 years newer than the Marantz 880 is does have much better bass management. And I really like L7 for movies better than DD. So those differences were the reasons for the HK replacing the Marantz.

But the old 880 is very good for music. So I still use both for two different setups, so I'm still getting my money's worth from the Marantz.

Thanks John,

How is the L7? How is the auto calibration with HK. From what I understand it has been improved on the new models.

When I demo the HK's they always sound incredible for HT, is this the Logic 7 or the way the auto calibrations sets up the speaker.

I would like to get the most I can value wise for the Marantz and figure selling it sooner than later will maximize this.

Even tho I don't have any problems with dialogue, the L7's center channel aways seem better than DD, with both calibrated to the same levels for all channels. L7 music I like better than the others.

As I don't have a newer HK than the 4 year old 635 I don't know how much of an improvement the newer ones are, either for L7 or the EZset/EQ.

Is the 7550hd really coming out? I mean more then a year has passed since they announced the damn thing and I've yet to hear so much as a peep about it since then from hk. I love HK and I'd love to get their 7 series for my next amp but come on, how much longer have I got to wait?

The AVR 7550HD has been available now for a few weeks..
Check out Amazon they show it in-stock.
@ CEDIA the HK sales/marketing guys mentioned that the 7550HD won another top AVR award and it is selling well.

Just my $0.015...

I find it odd that they have yet to include this model to their main website. They still only have the 3550.

Not to mention a lack of feedback from any of the owners that received their units already.

Do they still have HDMI issues? That seemed to be their biggest issue.

It's as if they are letting others test drive before taking final ownership.

They did this with the 54 series didn't they, i.e. released a small amount until finally going all out?

I have the 2600 and I have not had any handshaking issues. Knock on wood!

I'm using a Directv HR20 DVR, PS3, Pioneer dvd player. and HTPC.

Brian...
Can't comment on internal HK status..
However in the last 2 weeks there have been 2 major International Trade Shows (IFA & CEDIA)..
IMHO..
Their marketing/product staff was out of the office and just didn't get the info posted.

Just my $0.015...

The 7550HD is finally posted on Harman Kardon's website!

No major issues as far as I can tell on HDMI. Once in a while it has some handshake issues w/ PS3 when being turned on, not sure if its PS3 or AVR.

The current owners have been giving feedback as requested, overall we are too busy listening to the AVR ;-) A mini Review a few posts up w/ photos.

The only wishlist I have is that it would show full song names in the Bridge II OSD and the navigation be a bit more responsive.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. I returned a defective 745 and i got an e-mail indicating a 247z is on its way for delivery today.

I definitely will be sending the 247 back and i am keeping my finger crossed that i might get a 7550HD as a replacement...

what are my chances?

To minimize HDMI handshake issues..
Power on the components in this order:
1. HD Display
2. AVR
3. Source products

Just my $0.015...