Vladi

HK 645 locked up on me a couple of times - did not respond to remote commands and none of the front pannel buttons worked. I had to unplug it and reset it. HK support rep was very nice and polite, explained the receiver is just like a computer, has a microporcessor that can lock up. Strange, I never had any lockups with my old Sony... Also, the HK seems to run very warm - I can hear the fan spinning on and off. I ordered today Emotiva LMC-1/LPA-1 combo. It's is now waiting time... How worried should I be about the HK lockups?

Fish, excellent! Thank you so much for testing out this, appreciated!

I looked at the LMC manual again, quote: The ZONE jacks are for use of an amplifier in the second zone (in addition to or instead of the onboard Zone Amplifier. These are active whenever Zone 2 is selected. Both are full time digital mix down of the multi-channel inputs. So I guess it does output to both internal amp and zone jacks at the same time.

Fish, digital to second zone is the MAIN reason I have narrowed down to HK and Emotiva, and it also happens that HK is great with Klipsch, from my own experience now. I can't stop listening to my music[as well as checking the forum], testing the 645 I have now. I might be changing my opinion about 2 channel => multichannel DSP - Logic7 sounds very very good, especially with electronic music! No rush on the digital to 3 zones, whenever you have time. Thanks in advance. If this actually works, I will be even more convinced to try Emotiva.

I have, there is a 645 listed for $909. I can get it for $699 from JR, if I decide to order it online that is. The unit I am testing now was $999 at a local store.

Fish, will most likely order the Emo to try it, if I don;t I will always be bothered with the missed opportunity. I need your help, I am interested in one feature, and since you already have the LMC-1, can you try it out for me please, I would really appreciate the favor. I am curious to find out if you can play the same digital source (downmix in the case of DD/DTS) thru the built in amp to power speakers in another room, as well [at the same time] output the same source thru the ZONE outs to external amplifier [channel 6 & 7 of LPA-1]? The goal is to create 3 zones playing the same source, and I am specifically interested if this is possible with digital source coming in from coax?

falcon20x, I am in the process of testing HK 645 at the moment. So far so good. Your post is very helpful. I hope I will not face issues like you, but my usage is prety simple, and I don't have any need for video switching. Possible problems is the reason number one I am reluctant to buy gear that is not available in local store that I can take home and test. I got the HK at a local store and have 30 days to return it. It is about $250 more than online price though.

tenzip, I read the reply in your post about Emotiva impressions. I can understand your satisfaction coming from a near bottom line receiver. From the HK line, 645 is second best after 745. Somehow I have the feeling i will be losing out with the LMC-1... I don't know, I guess I have no option but to order it and try it out... I just hate to lose on the shipping back.

Fish, Thanks for replying. My usage is about 70% HT (DVD - movies and concerts, HDTV recorded over the air) and 30% music. I don't have, and don't plan to have cable, dish, or any paid TV service. About the LMPC-1 processor, when you say "lacks features" what do you mean by features? DSP modes like Logic 7 and other surround modes? EZSet EQ? Or do you mean speaker crossover, LFE bass management, speaker delay, etc. I read the LMC-1 manual, and my understanding is these settings are available. Will I be compromising DD/DTS decoding if I get LMC-1? I am testing HK 645, and it has everyting I need plus a LOT of features that I will not use, like EZSet for example. I also turned off all surround modes - I like pure 2 channel fro music , and pure DD/DTS for movies and concerts. I like HK 645 sweet and warm sound, it is miles better than the Sony's harsh and boomy mixture of sound - honestly I don't know how I put up with it for such a long [5 years] time. I guess I didn't know any better, and didn't have budget to spend. I also like HK's ability to set delay for each channel independently, e.g. SL and SR can be positioned at a different distance from the listener, which is my case. Granted I don't need DSP surround features, is the LMC-1 still a better pre/pro than the HK 645, particularly in the DD/DTS decoding? Regarding power, I live in apartment building, and I am not listening at high volume, maximum probably 85-90db. Will I benefit any from LPA-1? To be honest, I am 95% decided on HK 645. I am only looking at Emotive because it's just $200 more for separates, and because of the good reviews of its sound and power. I don't want to compromise my HDTV and movie experience. Is the LMC-1 still a better choice?

tenzip, what was your previous gear before the upgrade to Emotiva? I am currently looking at upgrading to either an HK 645 [have it at home] or Emotiva LMC/LPA and cannot decide.

Its time to get rid of my Sony STR-DA5ES receiver - finally! My usage scenario is very simple: a single digital coax connection to my HTPC, 5.1 surround speakers in the living room, and 2 speakers in the bedroom. My listening preferences are to listen to material as it was recorded, with out unneeded DSP processing. I am looking at two options in my price range [less than 1K]: 1. Harman Kardon AVR 645 2. Emotiva LMC-1/LPA-1 Has anyone compared or owned these? I currently have the HK AVR 645 in my home for audition, and it is much better than the Sony, no surprise there. To audition the Emotiva, I practically have to buy it. The HK is $699, and Emotiva $899. Is it worth the extra $200? I read a few online reviews, and most a very positive, stating that Emotiva is a great value for the price, but my question is compared to what gear? Are the reviews so positive because the price is so low? What is the real deal here, are the Emotivas that much better? I also read some forum posts reporting issue with the LMC-1 pre/pro. As I cannot listen to Emotiva without purchasing, I am currently leaing towards HK. In addition I am worried that Emotiva is a very small company... Any and all comments on the above will be greatly appreciated to help me decide.

I recently upgraded my RC-3II to RC-7, and my RB-5II which I used for surrounds, to RS-7. I must say RC-7 and RS-7 play beautifully with my RF-3II fronts. My opinion is that an upgrade to RS-3 is probably not worth it, the difference will not be dramatic. If you really want to upgrade, save more money and slowly upgrade the center first to RC-7 and then the surrounds to RS-7, especially because you have RF-5.

Refurbished is not necessarily equal to being deffective and repaired. It may simply mean the unit has been used, returned by a customer, and re-packaged at the factory or other facility. When the manufacturer re-packages such returned units, they replace any missing or damaged accessories, upgrade the firmware, and test the unit. Hence the term refurbished. However, you have no way of knowing whether it has just been just re-packaged, or was deffective and repaired.

Yes, it is still available, I've been too lazy [or reluctant] to sell it on other websites Edit: somehow I thought you were asking me - I also have an RC-3II for sale, if you are interested.

Never listened to the RC-62, but on paper they look pretty similar in spces. What are your main speakers? Maybe someone else can give their opinion? I am asking $200 + shipping or BO.

Anyone want this before it goes to eBay?

That was it! I opened the speaker, and WTH? All black colored wires were disconnected! So I re-connected all cables, tightening all posts. What a relief - the speaker is working fine. Now I need to sell my RC-3 II.

Thanks, I have the jumpers removed, since I am actually bi-wiring. Will experiment more tonight, and I really hope there is nothing wrong with the speaker...

Thanks for rsponding. I will check the internal cabling tonight.

I received my RC-7 that I bought off eBay, plugged it in, but the woofers do not emit any sound. Only the tweeter is working. I checked and re-checked my connections, plugged back the RC-3 to verify cabling, and it works, but the RC-7 woofers do not. This was unexpected, the ebay seller had positive feedback. The shipping box was not damaged, and the speaker arrived in excellent condition, cosmetical that is. What should I do?

I am looking to replace my receiver, and I need one that can output a digital source (coax S/PDIF) to its 2nd zone/multi-room, and in the same time, use its rear surrond amps to power the 2nd zone speakers. My desired setup is: Main Room Receiver (that I will purchase) HTPC - my one and only source, coax digital connection RF-3II, RC-7, RS-7 Bedroom RB-5II I want to power the RB-5II with the rear surronds amps of a 7.1 receiver. That's not a problem, I think all 7.1 receivers can do this. I looked at the manuals of some receivers (Denon, Pioneer) and the manual states that the source for the 2nd room must be analog! The only receiver I found to be able to do this is Harman Kardon AVR-X45 series - their manual states that a DSP Downmix of a digital source can be selected for the 2nd room. Do I have any other options?

Decided to sell the RC-3: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/887022/ShowThread.aspx#887022

My RC-7 is coming next week, and I decided to sell my RC-3 II. It is in perfect working condition, but it has some cosmetical blemishes. I am located in SF Bay Area, and I prefer not to ship it. Make me an offer. Here are some pics: http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2596.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2597.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2598.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2599.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2600.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2601.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2602.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2603.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2604.JPG http://www.dryfast.net/images/klipsch/IMG_2605.JPG

Thanks, can't wait to receive it.

I don't know yet... I might use it as a rear center. I hate to sell Klipsch speakers, I just like to buy them Seriously, I will let you know if I want to sell it. It is in very good condition, but cosmetically is not perfect - a few dings, and one of the woofers has a dent.