Home theater help, receiver shopping...
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From: Gresham, OR
Home theater help, receiver shopping...
So I came across a good deal on a set of Anthony Gallo speakers (http://www.anthonygalloacoustics.com) so I have decided to replace my "theater in a box" that I have been using for some time now. The speakers I have are the Nucleus Micro Series on their site, or for anyone who is familiar with Gallo speakers. I have the set of 5 of them with stands and sub. Anyways, I have been receiver shopping for a few days now and I have ran across some good deals. I really want Harman Kardon because I have heard nothing but good reviews on them and their units would match my set up perfectly (the style). I ran across the DPR1005 that I can go pick up right now for $405. That is at the very top of my budget. My other option would be to get the avr140 for $350 (local) or the avr240 for $430 (also local). Now everything I read about the dpr1005 puts it way above my two options in the avr series. My issue is that I am unfamiliar with the differences between the avr and dpr ("digital path receiver")series, and the dpr1005 is a year or so outdated (I think). Any help, thoughts, ideas, suggestions would be very helpful! 
dpr1005
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_suppor...&sjump=&#active
avr140
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail...R%20140&sType=C
avr240
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail...R%20240&sType=C
dpr1005
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_suppor...&sjump=&#active
avr140
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail...R%20140&sType=C
avr240
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail...R%20240&sType=C
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From: SJC
First off, congrats on snagging a good speaker set!!!
I used to sell hi-end audio, and occaisionally go to an audio show here and there.
I'm not keen on Harman-Kardon. While their electronics are pretty solid, I've just never liked the way they sounded. For the money, I'd head down to Fred's (on Hawthorne) or Magnolia (if they still carry the same lines as I remember) and get a Denon or Marantz receiver. Not always as inherently fancy, but they sound very good, esp. with the Gallos.
If you are set on getting any of the Harman-Kardons though, here's a couple of good ways to figure out which you want:
1. Listen to it in a setup at the store, and listen to it once you get home. Don't shop from any place that doesn't at least have a 30 day money back guarantee.
2. Pick each unit up. The heaviest one is probably the one you want to get (heavier transformers *often* indicate better power).
3. Don't be rooked in by wattage numbers. Current is what often makes a system sound better.
4. Don't be rooked in by bells and whistles you won't use.
5. DO look at whether the receiver has pre-amp ins and outs. Upgradeability is your friend.
6. If the store won't let you take one home, go in with a pair of headphones. Turn the receiver on, and with no music/sound, turn the knob up. The one that distorts the least/latest 'on the dial' will steer you to good sound.
Just my $.02
I used to sell hi-end audio, and occaisionally go to an audio show here and there.
I'm not keen on Harman-Kardon. While their electronics are pretty solid, I've just never liked the way they sounded. For the money, I'd head down to Fred's (on Hawthorne) or Magnolia (if they still carry the same lines as I remember) and get a Denon or Marantz receiver. Not always as inherently fancy, but they sound very good, esp. with the Gallos.
If you are set on getting any of the Harman-Kardons though, here's a couple of good ways to figure out which you want:
1. Listen to it in a setup at the store, and listen to it once you get home. Don't shop from any place that doesn't at least have a 30 day money back guarantee.
2. Pick each unit up. The heaviest one is probably the one you want to get (heavier transformers *often* indicate better power).
3. Don't be rooked in by wattage numbers. Current is what often makes a system sound better.
4. Don't be rooked in by bells and whistles you won't use.
5. DO look at whether the receiver has pre-amp ins and outs. Upgradeability is your friend.
6. If the store won't let you take one home, go in with a pair of headphones. Turn the receiver on, and with no music/sound, turn the knob up. The one that distorts the least/latest 'on the dial' will steer you to good sound.
Just my $.02
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From: Gresham, OR
Originally Posted by 8D_In_Trunk,Feb 7 2006, 04:25 PM
First off, congrats on snagging a good speaker set!!!
I used to sell hi-end audio, and occaisionally go to an audio show here and there.
I'm not keen on Harman-Kardon. While their electronics are pretty solid, I've just never liked the way they sounded. For the money, I'd head down to Fred's (on Hawthorne) or Magnolia (if they still carry the same lines as I remember) and get a Denon or Marantz receiver. Not always as inherently fancy, but they sound very good, esp. with the Gallos.
If you are set on getting any of the Harman-Kardons though, here's a couple of good ways to figure out which you want:
1. Listen to it in a setup at the store, and listen to it once you get home. Don't shop from any place that doesn't at least have a 30 day money back guarantee.
2. Pick each unit up. The heaviest one is probably the one you want to get (heavier transformers *often* indicate better power).
3. Don't be rooked in by wattage numbers. Current is what often makes a system sound better.
4. Don't be rooked in by bells and whistles you won't use.
5. DO look at whether the receiver has pre-amp ins and outs. Upgradeability is your friend.
6. If the store won't let you take one home, go in with a pair of headphones. Turn the receiver on, and with no music/sound, turn the knob up. The one that distorts the least/latest 'on the dial' will steer you to good sound.
Just my $.02
I used to sell hi-end audio, and occaisionally go to an audio show here and there.
I'm not keen on Harman-Kardon. While their electronics are pretty solid, I've just never liked the way they sounded. For the money, I'd head down to Fred's (on Hawthorne) or Magnolia (if they still carry the same lines as I remember) and get a Denon or Marantz receiver. Not always as inherently fancy, but they sound very good, esp. with the Gallos.
If you are set on getting any of the Harman-Kardons though, here's a couple of good ways to figure out which you want:
1. Listen to it in a setup at the store, and listen to it once you get home. Don't shop from any place that doesn't at least have a 30 day money back guarantee.
2. Pick each unit up. The heaviest one is probably the one you want to get (heavier transformers *often* indicate better power).
3. Don't be rooked in by wattage numbers. Current is what often makes a system sound better.
4. Don't be rooked in by bells and whistles you won't use.
5. DO look at whether the receiver has pre-amp ins and outs. Upgradeability is your friend.
6. If the store won't let you take one home, go in with a pair of headphones. Turn the receiver on, and with no music/sound, turn the knob up. The one that distorts the least/latest 'on the dial' will steer you to good sound.
Just my $.02
Fred's is the only place around that sells the gallo speakers so that might not be a bad idea
(I take it you used to live here 
). The more I look at that HK DPR1005 the better a deal I think it is. The absolute cheapest I have found it is for 699 @ amazon online, and I can get it for 300 off of that. They do offer a 30 day return policy. It is basically a costco overstock / return warehouse. I think I am going to go snag that one up and continue my shopping for another few weeks and see if I find one I like better. Thanks again
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From: Denver
I have the AVR240 at home and AVR235 at work. I was amazed when I moved to this receiver the improvment in sound from the same set of speakers. It was very dramatic.
At home I now have it hooked up to a set of Focal.JMLab speakers. Stunning. I use the system more for music than surround although I do use the VMaxFar setting for TV and movies. It really centers the sound.
At work, I have the 235 hooked up to a Polk Audio surround setup. It doesn't sound nearly as good as my home setup, but it is also working to fill a much larger space. This system is on at least 8-10 hours a day.
I've had both receivers for over a year now without any problems.
At home I now have it hooked up to a set of Focal.JMLab speakers. Stunning. I use the system more for music than surround although I do use the VMaxFar setting for TV and movies. It really centers the sound.
At work, I have the 235 hooked up to a Polk Audio surround setup. It doesn't sound nearly as good as my home setup, but it is also working to fill a much larger space. This system is on at least 8-10 hours a day.
I've had both receivers for over a year now without any problems.
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From: SJC
Originally Posted by spapdx,Feb 7 2006, 04:24 PM
Thanks for the ideas
Fred's is the only place around that sells the gallo speakers so that might not be a bad idea (I take it you used to live here ).
Fred's is the only place around that sells the gallo speakers so that might not be a bad idea
(I take it you used to live here ).Considering you're pretty much doing this through a warehouse, you're definitely doing the sly thing on the cheap. . . which is cool until you get the audio bug.
When you're ready to upgrade, let me know.
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I ran across the DPR1005 that I can go pick up right now for $405. That is at the very top of my budget. My other option would be to get the avr140 for $350 (local) or the avr240 for $430 (also local).
Contrary to the guy who sold shit above -- oddly enough look at some of the low end Sony stuff.
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From: Gresham, OR
Originally Posted by steve c,Feb 7 2006, 09:11 PM
And I say this without trying to be mean -- you won't even come close to anything decent in that range.
Contrary to the guy who sold shit above -- oddly enough look at some of the low end Sony stuff.
Contrary to the guy who sold shit above -- oddly enough look at some of the low end Sony stuff.
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From: MAHT-O-MEDI
I would agree with some that Harmon Kardon is not as well thought of as it used to be.
If I only had ~ $400 I would go to a higher end store and see if they sell Sony's ES line. It is a notch above Sony's mass market stuff and I think they have a 5.1 system in that range. The ES line has nicer amps than regular Sony. The ES 300 I think is the model in that range.
Or you could look for a low end of the price range Yamaha. It will have very clean sound in that price range just not huge power. Maybe even Onkyo.
As for Denon and Marantz, they make wonderfull stuff higher up in the price range but I think you can get for for the money at $400 from a "lesser" brand. Reputable online retailers will give you the best deal.
Good luck.
If I only had ~ $400 I would go to a higher end store and see if they sell Sony's ES line. It is a notch above Sony's mass market stuff and I think they have a 5.1 system in that range. The ES line has nicer amps than regular Sony. The ES 300 I think is the model in that range.
Or you could look for a low end of the price range Yamaha. It will have very clean sound in that price range just not huge power. Maybe even Onkyo.
As for Denon and Marantz, they make wonderfull stuff higher up in the price range but I think you can get for for the money at $400 from a "lesser" brand. Reputable online retailers will give you the best deal.
Good luck.