wuzzzer Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Very happy to open the box today and see a 100% mint condition HK3480 along with every accessory it came with (antennas, remote, manuals, etc). I really like the cool blue on the volume knob, display and power button. The remote seems a little cheap, but I already programmed all the functions into my Brookstone LCD remote so I probably won't ever need to use the h/k remote. First thing I did was connect the FM antenna and listen to the radio. Definitely has a tuner that is 100% better than my old Sony receiver. Picked up all the local stations with ease. Of course FM radio isn't anywhere near a reference of sound quality, so I next hooked up my CD player and all other audio inputs. I think I remember someone on here saying that when they switched to a nicer quality receiver it 'smoothed out' the horn a bit. I'd say that's the case with the h/k. In my Sony receiver I'd always have to back the treble in the parametric equalizer a bit to tame the high frequency harshness, and as a result lost a lot of the dynamics of sound. I'm running the bass & treble completely flat on the h/k and the sound is more detailed but very natural sounding. No sharp sibilance unless I'm using my cheap Magnavox DVD player. Guess a new DVD player is the next item on the list. My wife is going to hate me! [6] Stereo separation seems to have increased some, and voices and instruments seem to be coming from behind and around the speakers instead of directly from them. The vMax virtual surround setting is just weird. It adds odd reverberation and phase shifts that make the sound come from all around you. I'll have to try it with movies, but for music I don't really care for it. The speaker connections in the back are really cheap, the screw-in kind that I see on really inexpensive equipment. Probably the only design feature I didn't care for. That's it for now. Going to have to go enjoy the new setup. Oh, and the next project is setting up some acoustic foam to treat my basement. I've researched different options quite a bit and I think I've come up with a game plan that should cost only $50 or so and really improve the acoustics and sound quality in my theater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 Forgot to attach the pic I took of the amp. Also forgot to add that the mail carrier that dropped it off was talking to me about the unit and he said that he had an old harman / kardon amp that he bought in the early to mid 1970s and still has it. I told him to write down the model...who knows, it could be a Twin Powered x30! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 ENJOY WUZZER..................play 'er for a month or so,then give us a little report on the HK comparing to the Sony.....just a brief overview........I would be interested in seeing that, but not right now.....let the newness wear off.....the Sony is no cheapo unit like most on here seem to think.............Crank 'er Up and Let 'er Rock.........ENJOY........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 ENJOY WUZZER..................play 'er for a month or so,then give us a little report on the HK comparing to the Sony.....just a brief overview........I would be interested in seeing that, but not right now.....let the newness wear off.....the Sony is no cheapo unit like most on here seem to think.............Crank 'er Up and Let 'er Rock.........ENJOY........... Will do. Haven't been able to crank it up too much yet, my wife has been home. Doesn't seem to run out of steam whatsoever at the volumes I've had it at. Its interesting with the treble, certain instruments such as cymbals and horns seem to be louder and more detailed, yet the treble itself is very smooth. Voices are projected more naturally and live recordings especially sound great. I can't wait to purchase and configure some acoustical foam so I can enjoy my system even more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauln Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Funny, I moved my system into a different room with no sound absorbtion except the carpet. I had a bed stored in another room, took the top matress and the box spring, set them upright on each side of the listening room and had a listen - wow - smooth! - room treatments make a huge difference. Hope your plan works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SET12 Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I'll second that Pauln I have been using them for the last 10yrs and wouldn't be without them Corner Tunes and Monster Pannels and bass traps in the near future. SET12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Glad to hear that your purchase went well. And I think the 3480 is a good receiver for the money. Also yes I care little for the cheapo binding posts they put but I guess they had to cheap out on something, atleast they did not cheap out on the sound. Try putting 10 gauge into it like i do!!! The 120 watt is I believe a real number as that number and distortion rating is similar to the hk 630 i believe which was an expensiver receiver. I have gone to -10 for 10 seconds just to see and it handled it like a pro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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