What do you think of this stereo receiver? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

TheProf · 10-17-2005, 10:21 PM

Hello,

So I'm thinking of buying this Harman/Kardon AVR 30 audio/video receiver, with Dolby Pro Logic, to start off my home stereo system.

I know it is a bit old, but it's at potentially a very good price and it's description seems to be well suited for a basic home stereo system. I'd just need to hunt around for suitable speakers.

What does everyone think?
thanks.

Details:

Code:

SPECIFICATIONS: 
FM Section 
Usable Sensitivity :    MONO - 13.2dB 
Quieting Sensitivity :    STEREO - 38.2dB 
Signal-to-Noise Ratio :    STEREO - 70dB
MONO - 80dB 
Capture Ratio :    1.5dB 
Selectivity :    ADJACENT - 5dB 
Alternate Channel Selectivity :    65dB 
IF Rejection :    FM - 85dB 
AM Rejection :    55dB 
Total Harmonic Distortion :    MONO - 0.2% @ 1kHz
STEREO - 0.3% @ 1kHz 
Stereo Separation :    45dB 
Sensitivity :    EXTERNAL ANTENNA - 18 microvolts 

Amplifier Section 
Audio Loops :    2 
Audio/Video Inputs :    4 
Audio/Video Loops :    2 
Preamp Outputs :    Front, Center, Rear, L & R Sub 
Video Outputs :    1 
Power Output :    STEREO - 60 watts per channel @ 6 ohms
SURROUND - FRONT L & R, CENTER 50 watts per channel @ 6 ohms 
Total Harmonic Distortion :    STEREO - 0.09% @ 6 ohms
SURROUND - FRONT L & R, CENTER 0.09% @ 6 ohms
SURROUND - REAR L & R 0.3% 
Output 4 Ohms :    SURROUND - REAR L & R 20 watts per channel 
Negative Feedback :    20dB 
Frequency Response :    0.5Hz - 200kHz +0/-3dB 
Slew Rate :    80 v/microsecond 
Rise Time :    2 microseconds 
Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM) :    Unmeasurable 
Signal-to-Noise Ratio :    PHONO - 78dB
CD, VIDEO, etc - 98dB 
Input Impedance :    PHONO - 2.5mv/47k ohms
CD, VIDEO, etc - 135mv/22k ohms 
Output Level :    SUBWOOFER - 2 volts/10k ohms 
RIAA Equalization :    +/-0.5dB 
Phono Overload :    120mv 
Tone Control Range (±) Bass 50Hz/Treble 10kHz: :    BASS - +/-10dB @ 50Hz
TREBLE - +/-10dB @ 10kHz 
Loudness Control :    +10dB @ 50Hz 

AM Section 
Alternate Channel Selectivity :    55dB 
Image Rejection :    40dB 
IF Rejection :    60dB 
Power Consumption :    236 watts 

General 
Audio Inputs :    2 line, 1 phono

shakran · 10-18-2005, 04:39 AM

depends on what the price is. But considering you can get a yamaha 6.1 DTS receiver with decent speakers for around 3-400 bucks, it'd have to be pretty low to be a great deal.

TheProf · 10-18-2005, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

depends on what the price is. But considering you can get a yamaha 6.1 DTS receiver with decent speakers for around 3-400 bucks, it'd have to be pretty low to be a great deal.

Well, the price is for around $70 US. Would that make a difference?

flat5 · 10-18-2005, 10:24 AM

The company has made some fine stuff over the years.
I agree, great price.
Google for reviews of the product.

shakran · 10-18-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProf

Well, the price is for around $70 US. Would that make a difference?

yeah, big difference. If you don't care about the latest 6.1 DTS stuff, snap it up.

ubertuber · 10-18-2005, 12:38 PM

It depends whether you are interested in surround at all or just stereo. I may be wrong, but it doesn't look like this receiver can do Dolby Digital or DTS decoding - which is really what you will want for surround sound. Dolby Prologic is the surround format of VHS, not DVD. The difference is immense. You can get a receiver with no speakers for a little more than twice the price of this HK, and you'll be getting the ability to decode modern formats, you'll have digital inputs, you'll get video switching, and probably double the power. If you just want the old left and right, you'll be ok with this thing, but if you want more than that, I'd save up and buy something a little more modern.

TheProf · 10-18-2005, 01:04 PM

Hello,

I'm not too concerned with anything more than left/right for music really. CD listening mostly. Since I don't have speakers yet, when I do start looking for them, I'll probably just go for 2 floor standing ones as they'll do the job in the most cost-effective way for now. Things like 5.1 or 7.1 will have to wait for many years from now when we own our own place and have money for some real electronics. This is just to tide us over since my 2x 10 watt/speaker computer speakers don't really cut it anymore since my wife dropped them and they broke!

10-18-2005, 12:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	It depends whether you are interested in surround at all or just stereo. I may be wrong, but it doesn't look like this receiver can do Dolby Digital or DTS decoding - which is really what you will want for surround sound. Dolby Prologic is the surround format of VHS, not DVD. The difference is immense. You can get a receiver with no speakers for a little more than twice the price of this HK, and you'll be getting the ability to decode modern formats, you'll have digital inputs, you'll get video switching, and probably double the power. If you just want the old left and right, you'll be ok with this thing, but if you want more than that, I'd save up and buy something a little more modern. __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

10-18-2005, 04:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	depends on what the price is. But considering you can get a yamaha 6.1 DTS receiver with decent speakers for around 3-400 bucks, it'd have to be pretty low to be a great deal.

10-18-2005, 10:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
flat5 Very Insignificant Pawn Location: Amsterdam, NL	The company has made some fine stuff over the years. I agree, great price. Google for reviews of the product.

10-18-2005, 01:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheProf Crazy	Hello, I'm not too concerned with anything more than left/right for music really. CD listening mostly. Since I don't have speakers yet, when I do start looking for them, I'll probably just go for 2 floor standing ones as they'll do the job in the most cost-effective way for now. Things like 5.1 or 7.1 will have to wait for many years from now when we own our own place and have money for some real electronics. This is just to tide us over since my 2x 10 watt/speaker computer speakers don't really cut it anymore since my wife dropped them and they broke!