Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater New Receiver

I am looking to quickly pick up a new receiver. I mostly use 2 channel, but have a surround system. I have a low budget, and I can get a good deal on a Marantz SR5400 or a Harman Kardon AVR230. Out of those two, does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks

If you can afford an SR5400, then surely you can do better than an H/K 230! Have a look at onecall.com, they've got refurb H/Ks. I got my 525 for $550 a couple years ago.

At the time, the 525 had better specs/more features than the Marantz I could have gotten for the same price (probably the SR6200, I think), but that may well have changed.

IIRC the HK has more flexible bass management and a couple of extra surround modes for stereo content while the Marantz has a bit more power and probably has some other features I don't know about 'cause I don't own one

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I ended up with an HK (a couple of HKs actually) but probably could have been equally happy with the equivalent Marantz.

Do take a hard look at HK pricing though -- there are some fantastic deals available on the HK x30 models now that the x35 models are coming in, but for most of us the new models don't really add very much of interest. I picked up an HK 130 at FutureShop today for $299 CDN which is a really good price (HK is expensive in Canada). It's going to be the start of my brother-in-law's "high quality low budget" system.

also, check for the discontinued Onkyo 501, 601, and 701 models. now that the 502, 602, and 702 are out, you can find great deals on the old ones, with all the same capabilities.

its worth a look..

bigjohn

I have been looking around lately and I have found the
HK 330 for $449 the
HK 230 for $349 and the
Marantz 5400 for $405 all locally. I have picked up most of my gear online but for some reason wanted to pick up my receiver from a retail store. Maybe its because in 7 years the only issue I have had has been with my receiver.

$405 is definitely a good price for the Marantz. I have a SR5200 and I'm still very pleased with it, but the HKs offer some very, very nice bass management options that you won't find on the Marantz units. On the other hand, Marantz offers a three year warranty and they've been a pleasure to deal with. Two years after I bought the unit I had an issue relating to a problem that was covered in a Marantz service bulletin, and they fixed it without blinking an eye. Both companies make excellent equipment; the HKs will probably offer more features, though.

Hi thekid,

Although Marantz is now owned by the same company as Denon, for years Marantz relibility was iffy when Philips owned the company and built Marantz. I'm pleased to hear that the warranty service is now good for Marantz. However, I'd also suggest you get the H/K because it will drive 4-ohm loads (should you ever want to run 4-ohm speakers like the M80ti's) whereas many other brands will not do so without shut-down or severe limits in power output (it's called current limiting).

Regards,

Darn,
I should have gotten an HK instead of this Denon thing in my living room. I'm always messin' up.

Personally I think the Denon is a fine piece, as well as the Marantz. I believe Alan's main point was that the H/K's amps would hold up better with a 4 ohm load. Which, unless you have the M80s, should not be a problem.

Bruce, you will find that Alan has said on numerous occasions that the Denons drive 4 ohms with no problem. Don't be concerned.