sionghchan

Thanks Bill for your help! I still have to wait for the HK AVR354 to arrive. It is on backorder (I think it is just starting to be shipped to retailers) and I don't see me getting it for another month at least. It is going to be a mighty looonnnggg month. Can't to plug in my RF-52s for the first time. Maybe by next year, they'll be paired with the RF-63s or RF-83s then. Can't wait! SH

What I meant with HK receivers seem that they used to produce > 100wpc receivers ala their Stereo Receivers e.g. AVR3490 with 120wpc into two channels. That is mighty powerful. However, right now, their flagship, the AVR354 (at least until their 654 and 754 come out in North America), is only pushing 75wpc. Granted, I have learnt more about HK receivers and amps...as per article below: FYI- Here is a FAQ from Harman Kardon's website about their power ratings: A Harman Kardon 50-watt amplifier will sound better, louder and cleaner than most 100-watt amplifiers from other companies. The reason is very simple. We give "true" wattage ratings, and our amplifiers utilize something called High-Current Capability (HCC). Please see the comparison below for further explanation. Other companies (100 watts): Many companies have found new, convenient ways to get "big" wattage ratings on their amplifiers. They may take one frequency or tone (1kHz) and push it through one channel of amplification. This way the power supply only needs to supply power to one tone and one channel (no one listens to one tone through one speaker). This is not a difficult task for a power supply, so you get a nice, high rating like 100 watts. Now let's feed that one tone (1kHz) into 2 channels. Now the power supply has to supply power to 2 channels. The wattage rating is drastically reduced. Now let's take that one tone and make it ALL tones (pink noise). The power supply now has to supply power to all frequencies in both channels. Again, the wattage rating is drastically reduced. Now, your 100-watt amp is suddenly 50 watts (approximately). Let's take it one step further. When you turn the amp up and begin to average the 50 watts of power, what happens to all of the dynamics/peaks in the sound? It can't get any louder, because the amp has hit its "ceiling," so the sound gets "clipped." The human ear typically can?t hear this clipping because peaks pass by so quickly but, nonetheless, the dynamics are gone. Our amplifiers (50 watts): We still rate our amplifiers the old-fashioned way - all frequencies with both channels driven. So "50 watts" is 50 watts. Twenty-five years ago, a 50-watt amp was very powerful. These days you can go to a store and hear a "300 watt" receiver and it won't impress; it lacks dynamic punch. Now let's take it that extra step. When you turn the amp up and begin to average the 50 watts of power, the amp still needs to put out much more power every time a snare drum, triangle, or movie dynamic (e.g., hand slapping a face) hits. Our amps are able to instantaneously put out 20-100 amps (depending on the model) of high current to the speakers, allowing those dynamics to come through loud and clear, without any distortion. This brings the overall decibel average up, making it seem even louder that 50-watts. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Because of this, and because of the help from so many members of this great forum, I've settled for and bought the HK AVR354 receiver with 75wpc. I believe an HK's 75wpc is equivalent to other brand's 130wpc (conservatively). That sholud be more than enough for running RF-52s and even RF-83s later when I take the plunge there. SH

Sold guys... I'm going HK for Receivers. What Bill is suggesting is mighty tempting indeed. Also, I have a source to purchase brand new (current products) at a very good price... So, now, time to choose... Any help here would be appreciated as I'm a real newbies here. Also, many thanks for your help so far! SH

Sold guys.. I'm going HK for receivers. Now, just a matter of choosing one. What Bill is suggesting is very tempting indeed.

Hmm...I wonder why HK stopped producing high wattage receivers like the 7300? Now, the highest current model is the 354 with 75watts per channel. Any ideas anyone? Thakns. SH

Thanks for your reply! I would like to purchase the receiver mainly for music. Movies really just require an average amount of amplification. I mean, if I lost some details in a movie, not the end of the world. However, music is where it counts for me. I did have a look at HK's Stereo receivers (both above 100watts per channel) and am tempted here but then, that setup would be great for music but I will be stuck with my current very lousy HTIB "receiver" for movies. So, that isn't great either. BTW, how loud did you get before your HK ran out of gas? Ear bleed levels? SH

Wow...I got quite a deal then. I got a pair of RF-52s for $379 and a RC-52 for $199. I'm now desperately shopping for an amp. Leaning towards a Harman Kardon or Yamaha amps. good luck! RF-52s are quite nice speakers..but once you start, you can't stop. I'm aiming RF-63s or RF-83s in the not too distant future. SH

All, I see that the HK receivers are all quite weak in wattage. Will the 154 with 30watts per channel or the model 254 with 50 watts per channel good enough to power a RF-52 for now and eventually a RF63 or RF83? Many thanks.. SH

Really? I was checking the HK website and I don't see the 247 in the model lineup now. Only the 245 or teh 345. Where can I find the 247? Thanks SH

Hi there, Thanks for your reply. How about the HK receive at 30watts per channel? I'm trying to just go for a 5.1 receiver and the AVR154 seems to be pretty good but it is only 30 watts per channel! Will that drive the RF-52s and eventually the RF-83s? Thanks, SH

Hi all, Real newbie here. Finally got into the world of speaker hi-fi and I have settled for the Klipsch Reference IV family of speakers. I have been dabbling in the world of headphones and do appreciate great sound (currently own Senns HD650, AKG K701, Beyers DT880, grados etc.) I just bought a pair of RF-52s and the RC-52. My intention is to eventually move the RF-52 back to the rear and have RF-63 or RF-83 up front. I don't ever need 7.1 or 7.2. Just 5.1 is good enough. I will also listen to music exclusively in stereo but do watch movies in 5.1. I listen to a lot of jazz and classical and very little pop. That's all well and good, but I'm quite torn as to which receiver to go with here. I have seen the Pioneers (NOT the Elite series) do pose a great deal with good wattage but no one here seem to favour them. Yamaha RXV463 and 363 seem decent and are definitely my front contenders. The perplexing one is the Harman Kardon receivers. I heard great things about them but looking at them, NONE of their multi channel receivers have more than 100 watts per channel. Huh? Max of 75 watts per channel. Am I missing something? Will these do for my speakers? I've been reading and everyone is saying to go for a receiver with AT LEAST 100 watts per channel. What current HK models are recommended? I would like to go HK as I can get a good deal for them. In anycase, any help from you guys would be most welcome! Thanks in advance.. SH