echomancer Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Until about three weeks ago, I was running a Sony STR-DE985. The subwoofer pre output stopped functioning and I have been told it will cost a little over $300 to get it fixed. Since this receiver is about three years old, and I only paid $450, I've decided that this is a perfect opportunity to upgrade. I've given myself a budget of $500. I've narrowed my search down to the Harman/Kardon AVR335 and the Yamaha HTR-5790. I am currently running a 3 year old Bo$e 301mkIV based HT system(I was young, don't hurt me) but will be upgrading to a Klipsh RB-35 based HT system. I've searched through some of the archives and people seem to be happy with both. I plan on using the receiver for 70% HT and 30% Music (from satellite radio and my iPod). One ? about the Yamaha: Can I get a true bypass of all processing except for the signal decoding on digital signals (ie: I want to hear exactly what the Dolby Digital/DTS content of a DVD is without additional FX processing). Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streyle Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 I love my HK and how they sound with Klipsch..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Let's compare the two. Both are 7.1 receivers HK rated at 55 watts per channel at 0.07% THD Yamaha rated at 110 watts per channel at 0.05% THD Both decode all surround formats. The Yamaha is THX Select certified the HK is not. The HK retail for $699 the Yamaha $799 It's always your call but I like the Yamaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 i'm an hk man, i know that reciever in and out so if you have any questions about it, let me know and i can answer them for you, but personaly from using both i would say that hk is a much warmer sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 HK hands down,I'd rather have the 135 than the Yamaha,really.I must admit I base this on musical performance w/Klipsch rf7s,for only HT just pick any avr with true power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echomancer Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 I had a chance to run to the local high end theater dealer in town and have a listen to some receivers. I had a chance to compare the Yamaha (the VX-K1500 I think, they told me that it was more or less the HTR-5790) head to head with the Denon 1905 and 2105 (through Klipsch RB-35s). I prefered the Yamaha. The Denons were warmer, but the Yamaha sounded more "open". I suppose I'll run to Circuit City after work to hear the Harman/Kardon, but they don't carry Yamaha to compare it too. I know both units will sound good. I'm going to go completely on faith with what you guys recommend because you guys have experience, and I know I won't be disapointed either way. Maybe the HK is more attractive because it doesn't have any DSP beyond decoding... Wish I could afford the AVR435 Keep the input coming, and this newbie audiophile appreciates it! What is the DTS96/24 support all about??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 echo, in terms of your question about direct DD or DTS on the Yamaha, the answer is yes you don't have to add a DPS extra to the settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RM1111 Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 HK 335 for $469.00 AT www.jandr.com. Free shipping. Don't know when the sale is over. They are in New York. Don't know if you want to wait. Just an option. I got my reciever from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 ---------------- On 2/2/2005 1:52:12 PM Gramas701 wrote: i'm an hk man, i know that reciever in and out so if you have any questions about it, let me know and i can answer them for you, but personaly from using both i would say that hk is a much warmer sound ---------------- gamma, did you own both receivers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 no i had an older yammaha htr 5650 and now i have an hk avr230, but i have had extesive use with the new hk line, and after owning both and using both the hk's sound warmer, but i do not know much about the newer rx line of yammaha's... EDIT regardless of what you buy, it will definatly be a hhuge upgrade from your sony that you had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Ok, the only reason I asked is because they both are not cheap and was just wondering. I know when I was looking at receivers there seemed to be a big step up in the HTR line on the xx90 models then the lesser XX40, xx50 and so on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 the 5790 is a huge step above the other yamahas for sure, but it still carries its same traditional sound at least i thought so, but just a lot better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echomancer Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 OK, I also just found out that the HK won't do video upsampling, which is kind of a turn off... I also can't find that the HK will support 1080i HD signals... Will the Yamaha let me create a custom input? By that I mean, can I associate a particular digital input with a video input and have it stay that way forever? What about custom titling of the inputs? And most importantly, is there a mode on the Yamaha where I can listen to a stereo source (CD/DVD player via analog or digital) that will let me listen through my front speakers and my subwoofer only, without applying any of the DSP stuff (Similar to Straight, only I want to hear my sub, because my current speakers have no bass). Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 ---------------- On 2/2/2005 3:38:06 PM echomancer wrote: OK, I also just found out that the HK won't do video upsampling, which is kind of a turn off... I also can't find that the HK will support 1080i HD signals... Will the Yamaha let me create a custom input? By that I mean, can I associate a particular digital input with a video input and have it stay that way forever? What about custom titling of the inputs? And most importantly, is there a mode on the Yamaha where I can listen to a stereo source (CD/DVD player via analog or digital) that will let me listen through my front speakers and my subwoofer only, without applying any of the DSP stuff (Similar to Straight, only I want to hear my sub, because my current speakers have no bass). Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it! ---------------- Yes the Yamaha will upconvert to component and video switch 1080i. Custom inputs, by that I assume to lable and input to say for example John..the answer is yes. Yamaha has a direct stereo mode. Will a signal be sent to the sub I'm not sure. but I think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 Please know that although I'm a Yamaha man, the HTR series is rated power at 1 Khz, with only one channel driven, not the typical 20-20kHz with ALL channels driven. This gives a misleading power spec. The Yamaha RXV series is rated more traditionally and is a better purchase with better features. I wouldn't buy an HTR unless it was for the garage. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Try again Colter, The HTR-xx90 is the same as the RV-X-1400. Power is rated the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echomancer Posted February 3, 2005 Author Share Posted February 3, 2005 Well guys, I'd like to thank each and everyone who replied to my question, but alas, I won't be purchasing a new receiver. They guys at the repair shop were idiots. I performed a "memory reset" of my Sony last night and my sub woofer output came back to life, big as ever! As much as I'd like to buy a new receiver, it's still great for Home Theater, and I'm not moving beyond 5.1 for a while. The good news is that I can get back on track for building my stereo integrated Tube Amp to drive some new Klipsch speakers! Thanks again for the input. I really appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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