HK died...

[Ron Temple]

So I'm trying out the Denon 2307CI...I set this up 2 hours ago, manual speaker setup, plugged the Carver and Audiosource into the front and surround pre-outs, reprogramed the remote and away I'm going. Having issues getting the auto eq to work and the sub seems hot, though it's calibrated...

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions from other Denon owners...so stay tuned.

First impression of SQ...nice...sounds remarkably similar to the HK as a pre/pro...remotes a complex piece though.

PITA having to learn new gear...

[Ron Temple]

Note on HK refurbs...like several of you, I picked up my unit from HK Direct on ebay...they sound good and have nice features. I've recommended many times here and especially to noobies over at AVS, that for the money, you can't do better. After I send this back, I'll receive my 3rd unit. Neither of the first 2 lasted a year. So I'm going to change my tune.

If you want to take a chance on swapping defective units, then it's a good deal. HK just issues an RMA and swaps it out, but I now have serious questions as to their long term reliability. If I like the Denon, I'll keep it and sell the new refurb 235...probably here for someone who wants a cheap pre/pro. Unfortunately, I don't think what's left of the 2 year warranty is transferable.

[Lowell_M]

Ron,
What went wrong with the HK that it was broken? I haven't had any troubles yet, but my friend who bought an AVR-7200 had to send his back but that was pretty much his fault.

[Ron Temple]

Ron,
What went wrong with the HK that it was broken? I haven't had any troubles yet, but my friend who bought an AVR-7200 had to send his back but that was pretty much his fault.

This unit has always been extremely sensitive to going into protect mode for no apparent reason. Especially, when I reconfigured...adding amps. Yesterday, I couldn't get it out of Protect mode and the volume froze...couldn't even load factory defaults...this was very similar to what happened to the first unit. I'm just going to send it back.

[AndyGwis]

My HK hasn't had any issues, but I got it new. Just got a new HK 3480 as well for the bedroom.

Sorry to hear your refurb had issues.

[Lowell_M]

This unit has always been extremely sensitive to going into protect mode for no apparent reason. Especially, when I reconfigured...adding amps. Yesterday, I couldn't get it out of Protect mode and the volume froze...couldn't even load factory defaults...this was very similar to what happened to the first unit. I'm just going to send it back.

Just a suggestion, but if you had the same problem on 2 separate units, you may want to look into the rest of your system for the problem...like maybe a a shorted speaker connection somewhere or something.

[Nostalgic]

Just a suggestion, but if you had the same problem on 2 separate units, you may want to look into the rest of your system for the problem...like maybe a a shorted speaker connection somewhere or something.

Could be that. BUT, I had the same deal. 2 bad HK 435's from HK Direct with similar problems. Their customer service gets rave reviews but they were extremely rude and snotty with me. I treated them with respect and got very little in return.

Anyway, finally had it replaced with a refurb 635. Works great...so far...

[Ron Temple]

Just a suggestion, but if you had the same problem on 2 separate units, you may want to look into the rest of your system for the problem...like maybe a a shorted speaker connection somewhere or something.

A good idea...though I never had a problem with my Onkyo or Pioneer AVRs, also, the 2nd HK unit was going into Protect intermittently from day one, it would work for weeks without doing it, then have an off day. The Denon doesn't seem to have any problems.

Not sure if I'm sold on the Denon's SQ, seems a bit bland (flat). The improvement I got from the cable and surround upgrade seems much less noticeable...oh well...maybe Marantz.

[AndyGwis]

Maybe I've just gotten lucky. Neither of my HK pieces has had even a hiccup (even though I just got the 3480 on Friday). Great stuff, when it works! For just over $800 (shipped, tax, and all), I got $1800+ retail of new receivers that have been fantastic so far. Gotta love finding good deal; gotta hate paying retail.

[AndyGwis]

On a totally unrelated subject, I like my HK 3480 so much so far that I want to throw some better speakers at it. I ugraded to the HK to push my RT600s better, now I'm looking to upgrade the speakers. Is that irony, or what?

Love this hobby. Need to find some LSi7s on the cheap! Also, GF has poo-pooed towers in the bedroom, another reason the RT600s (which I just spent $160 to upgrade the tweeters) might well be on the FS forum soon.

[Ron Temple]

Maybe they had troubles with the 235s...seems like there's an unlimited supply of refurbs at HK Direct. Really, I'm not knocking the HK features or SQ...love to have a 635, but I can't ignore the reliability issues I've had.

[Lowell_M]

Maybe they had troubles with the 235s...seems like there's an unlimited supply of refurbs at HK Direct. Really, I'm not knocking the HK features or SQ...love to have a 635, but I can't ignore the reliability issues I've had.

My thought that there may be something wrong somewhere else in your system was based on personal experience. Opus came up to my place with his son to buy my old receiver...... It kept going into protection mode at low volumes because I am a dumbass and had the speaker wires shorted from where I had them connected to my wall socket in my main system.

[Mike682]

Ron

Sorry to hear you are having some really bad luck with the HKs. So far so good for my 235. I just hooked up my 235 from an 8 month layoff and surprisingly all settings were still in memory. Everything still works...I love that HK sound :D

Hope HK does the right thing for you

[Ron Temple]

Mike,

I doubt if I'll have any problem with HK...since I'm not as yet sold on the Denon, I'll probably put the new one back in the system and look around.

Any short in the wiring should show up with any unit, I would think...

[Monster Jam]

Im on my second refurb - the first unit had all kinds of problems the factory authorized center couldn't fix. My current refurb has a dead internal battery, so if I lose power, I lose all settings and configurations.

Other than that, the HK has been a real work-horse: theyve driven 5 4-ohm speakers at pretty decent db levels without clipping or going into protection mode (yet....note my signature)

[Ron Temple]

Update:

On other threads, I described several gremlins that occurred...system sounded wonky, thought it was tweets...swapped out...turned out it was the Carver...swapped it out for a Luxman...listened to the Denon/Luxman/Audiosource combo for about 3 weeks.

Denon impressions...very nice HT AVR...big sound...I like what it did for my subs with DD and DTS playback. It actually calibrated the subs about 10dbs low on the meter, but they were extremely hard hitting and clean during both movies and TV(DD). The soundstage is airy and dynamic with no one frequency dominant (even when called for). I really liked it. For music, not so much, I did get it to sound pretty sweet, but vocals were a bit more sibilant, edgier highs, piano never sounded right and lead instruments seemed more recessed. Even analog playback through Ext/In sounded like there was some processing going on.

Back to HK...I let them know I wasn't pleased. They were apologetic and offered me a 245 instead of the older 235 or for a bit more and a new warranty a 445. I opted for a 245, just didn't need the features, but warned that if this one has problems, they'd here from me. Got here Friday, hooked it up and in about 2 seconds I was back in love. Highs came correct, lead instruments are dynamic, imaging snapped back in place and I'm a happy camper again. The Denon just didn't cut it for music comparatively, so now it's gone. There are a couple of differences between the 245 and 235 aside from HDMI, XM, Ipod bridge. It has the same specs, but doesn't draw as many watts 540 vs 840. It's a shade lighter, so I take it the amp section has changed and become more efficient. Calibration is a bit trickier, but once dialed it sounds great.

Playing swapout games with HK is a PITA, but I really can't complain about getting the chance to checkout the Denon...then being rewarded with the sound I prefer. So far, this unit hasn't exhibited any symptoms...hopefully it's a winner.

[daboyz]

Awesome!! Happy you're happy. I'm happy w/my 335, one switch out and it's been great. Very unhappy w/the FL8385-Z cdp. Starting on 3rd one and have listened to 30 seconds of music. Hopefully this one will work. It'll be 2 months from original purchase.

[Mike682]

Congrats Ron

I'm glad it all worked out for you

[Ern Dog]

Ron,
Nice comparison. Being an HK 635 owner myself, I've always wondered how HK stacks up against Denon. I've still never heard a Denon avr.

[Ron Temple]

Ya know I'm starting to wonder...my rig is connected to 2 15 amp circuits, but the receiver, TV, one sub, DVD player and cablebox all share one of them. Did I drive the 235s into Protection trying to draw too much current. Balls out it wanted 840 watts...I've been told that's ~ 7-8 amps. I never had it pushing anything but the center and surrounds and recently (last 6 months) just the surrounds.

Anyway time to do some redistribution...at least take the TV and AVR off the same circuit.

[Mike682]

Ya know I'm starting to wonder...my rig is connected to 2 15 amp circuits, but the receiver, TV, one sub, DVD player and cablebox all share one of them. Did I drive the 235s into Protection trying to draw too much current. Balls out it wanted 840 watts...I've been told that's ~ 7-8 amps. I never had it pushing anything but the center and surrounds and recently (last 6 months) just the surrounds.

Anyway time to do some redistribution...at least take the TV and AVR off the same circuit.

Ron

If it was too much, I think the breaker would trip from too much current draw before the receiver would have a chance to enter protection mode. Good idea to do some redistribution though, just to be sure

Mike