I'm returning my second Harman Kardon AVR 630. See this thread for details regarding the uncurable hum/hiss problem I was experiencing.
I need to find a replacement AVR. I really had my heart set on the HK AVR 630, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
I got the AVR 630 through OneCall.com. For an online retailer, they've been pretty good, but at this point, I'm not sure I'm willing to buy online. Return shipping is a killer and takes forever. I want to go to my local shop, buy the AVR, take it home, test it, and return it (if necessary) all in the same day.
Because I will be buying locally, I will likely pay a 20% premium to online prices. I hate to pay the premium, but I'm fed up with the hassle of buying online. With this in mind, I may drop down one step in the respective manufacturers' model lines to stay close to a $700 price-point.
IMO, my best options for a replacement unit are the following:
I'm leaning toward the Yamaha right now, but want to hear opinions and other options if I'm overlooking another worthy contender.
I'm really going to miss the triple/quadruple bass management crossover settings on the HK 630. I'll also miss the option of having the receiver do bass management on the 7.1 analog inputs. Hopefully I'll get by and other features (such as Yamaha's YPAO) will help overcome the lack of bass management options.
I need to find a replacement AVR. I really had my heart set on the HK AVR 630, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be.
I got the AVR 630 through OneCall.com. For an online retailer, they've been pretty good, but at this point, I'm not sure I'm willing to buy online. Return shipping is a killer and takes forever. I want to go to my local shop, buy the AVR, take it home, test it, and return it (if necessary) all in the same day.
Because I will be buying locally, I will likely pay a 20% premium to online prices. I hate to pay the premium, but I'm fed up with the hassle of buying online. With this in mind, I may drop down one step in the respective manufacturers' model lines to stay close to a $700 price-point.
IMO, my best options for a replacement unit are the following:
- Yamaha 1400 (or perhaps 2400)
- Denon 2803 (perhaps 3803)
I'm leaning toward the Yamaha right now, but want to hear opinions and other options if I'm overlooking another worthy contender.
I'm really going to miss the triple/quadruple bass management crossover settings on the HK 630. I'll also miss the option of having the receiver do bass management on the 7.1 analog inputs. Hopefully I'll get by and other features (such as Yamaha's YPAO) will help overcome the lack of bass management options.