H/K320 vs H/K225 (1 Viewer)

[Jose Lasso]

I was looking to buy a new receiver for a small room for 60%music and 40%HT and in this Forum almost everybody recommends H/K for every price level I am in the 350 - 450 online retailer price level . And the AVR225 first caught my attention at $330 but then I found out that you could buy a AVR 320 for $400 refurbished I know that there is a new AVR 325 but is out of my price range Please tell me which one should I buy and what speaker should sound good whith it . I narrowed down to 2JBL N38II Mains 2 JBL N26II as surrounds a JBL SCenter and havent decided the sub and on the other side the klipsch Synergy 6 System 2 SB-1 , SC5 SS5 and KSW10 please help me

 

[Paul Clarke]

Jose,

Get the 320 and go with the JBL's. You'll have an upgrade path with the 320 with the 7.1 pre-outs. I know they are making advances in receiver amplification design but I would still rather have the 32lbs. of 320 over the 27lbs. of 225 anyday.

 

[Charles M Berry]

I don't know about the speakers, but in terms of your HK purchase, I would advise to go with the AVR 225 as long as you have no intention of 7.1 in the next 3 years or so. While Paul in certainly right in terms of the ability to upgrade, if you know for sure that 5.1 is enough in the near future, I would go with the very well built NEW 225 over the REFURB 320, and plow the extra money into the speakers.

 

[Frank Carter]

JBL's and the 320

 

[James Zubb]

Actually you can buy a new AVR320 for $400 from J&R.

 

[Wyatt_Y]

Ditto to James' comment..re: J&R, I just ordered one - to use as a DPL-II/Logic 7 preprocessor to an existing receiver (via 6ch preouts)...

Does anyone know about the 2 digital outputs (1 optical and 1 coax) - are both active with a digital input? If an optical input is selected, will both an optical and digital output signal be present??
Wyatt

 

[Lou Loomis]

as if it needs it, I throw out a third on the JandR comment. called them three weeks ago and they said that although it was discontinued, they were trying to get more in, and apparently they have. The price was $400. I couldn't wait so went elsewhere in NYC and picked up someone's last 320 for $399. As a discontinued model, you will likely be able to find good deals on new ones all over. you could also try 6ave, though I don't know their price. it should be worth the extra $70. especially on a receiver that had been around the $700 mark.

 

[JohnnyG]

One difference is that the 320 does not have a DSP mode for it's analog inputs, meaning that with analog in, the front speakers are always 'Large'. The 225 added a DSP mode that does proper bass management for analog input. It's also a few inches less deep than the 320. Other than that, the 320 adds component video switching, dual-zone capability and a learning remote (on top of the aforementioned 7.1 channel processing).

 

[Eujin]

One difference is that the 320 does not have a DSP mode for it's analog inputs, meaning that with analog in, the front speakers are always 'Large'.

Are the 320s different in Canada? On mine, I have speakers set to "small" using the analog outputs from my source to the "CD" input on the 320. Bass management works fine.

 

[JohnnyG]

This limitation is specifically for stereo output. If you put the receiver in Logic7 or DPLII, bass management works as normal. Try putting your reciever in Stereo mode and check the front display...you'll see that the speaker icon goes 'Large' and you can't change this.

 

[Eujin]

JohnnyG,

I checked my 320 last night. There is no 'Large' or 'Small' icon on my front panel display. However, when I went into the OSD to perform speaker settings, there was no way to change anything--the speakers are neither specified as 'Large' or 'Small'. The only setting I could change was the 'Sub' value--either 'None' or Sub (L+R)--and the X-over. I have mine selected with Sub (L+R) and the X-over at 60. I assume this means that any frequencies below 60hz would be directed to my sub--this is all the bass management I need in my set-up, because my fronts are only rated down to about 60hz. If this is different from your experiences with the 320, please chime in.

 

[Mike Stoll]

Here is a reply I received from H/K on a related question. I think it may be of some use. I am trying to find out if using the analog 6.1 inputs avoids the DA conversion process.


Hi Michael,

The AVR320 does not maintain a pure analog signal when you have an analog connection. The tone controls and bass management are done in the digital
domain so all analog signals are converted to digital before being processed and then converted to analog for output to the speakers. This does not mean
that a digital input will always be better, because the AD conversion is very precise and can still capture the benefits of a good analog signal. It
would not hurt to experiment with this to see if you have a preference with which connection is best for you.

The subwoofer options are slightly different for analog verse digital when in the stereo mode . When you are using an analog source the front speakers
will be set to large automatically and the options for the subwoofer are on or off. When you have a digital source you can choose small speakers which
will turn the subwoofer on, or you can choose large speakers with and without a subwoofer. The reason LFE is an option is because the speaker
configuration is assignable per input and only digital sources can have LFE. Either way you connect your CD player you will be able to get a subwoofer
output, but only the digital input allows the Small Front speaker selection or the LFE only selection when Large speakers are chosen.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Harold Kevelos
Internet Support Specialist

 

[Eujin]

Mike,

That's a pretty helpful response and certainly clears things up. It sounds like if you have full-range speakers AND a sub in the system for CD playback via analog, the sub will output duplicated bass info from the L and R speakers and whatever is below the x-over. Fortunately for me, I have monitors that won't result in a duplication of bass info.

 

[Mike Stoll]

Here is the reply concerning the 6/8 channel inputs:

Michael,

I am sorry about the delay with e-mail responses. Yes, the 6/8 channel
direct inputs maintain an analog signal straight through to the amplifier.
Thank you!


So I guess this is a way around the absence of a direct analog mode, that is, if you are not already using these inputs.

Jose, if you are still reading this post I am real happy with my AVR 320. I bought it about two months ago from JandR for $390. I have it hooked up to three Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's up front and some Paradigm mini monitors in the rear for now (HTM-200 on order along with an Adire Rava sub). Ascend is currently having a sale on their speakers and free shipping. I am impressed with the speakers and think they are a great value. You should take a look through their site.

 

[Eujin]

Yes, the 6/8 channel
direct inputs maintain an analog signal straight through to the amplifier.

That's definitely true--I've heard this with my own ears and definitely think there is a cleaner sound on the 6/8 channel input. However, with the absence of any bass management on that input, I usually reserve it only for SACD use. Of course, if you're running full-range speakers for the L and R channels, the point will be moot.