HK avr-125 or 225 (1 Viewer)

[jonathan_paul]

I am looking at upgrading my sony receiver to either of these models, but have a few questions. Both will be refurbished units and pcmall.com is seems to have the best price. They advertise they are an authorized Harman Kardon dealer, has anyone bought from them. The prices are 179 for the 125 and 229 for the 225.
My next question is the 225 worth the extra $50? I read through the basic differences such as extra inputs, on screen display, and extra output, but am not sure if they are worth it.
Last, these are the older units correct because the 130 and 230 are the new models from what I read. How old are they and is it something that in a year will be out dated?

 

[ChrisLazarko]

Yes the 225 does come with a "few" extra features. Extra 10 watts per channel, bigger amp. It also comes with On Screen Display, EzSet which is a SPL type of thing in the remote which I found not too useful. If you can afford it, it is nice to have it and it is worth the little extra money that they are charging.

Yes, the 130 and 230 are new models and the 130 doesn't offer anything major over the old model, just basically a new look. The 230 includes DTS:Neo6 and has a 6th rear center channel option which is nice, as well as pre-outs and component video input/output... nice little extra but you're going to have to pay a couple extra hundred $$$ to get that right now.

I would say that these recievers will stay "in date" for the next 5 years or so as I personally don't see anything coming out anytime soon that will make them obsolete, such as a new type of Dolby Digital that recievers won't be able to read.

I own a HK AVR-225 and I love mine, wouldn't trade it for anything else except a better HK, or of course seperates.

 

[John S]

Take a look at the Onkyo TXSR500 at OneCall too. $149.96
I am in a similar quandry myself.....


I'll be very curious as to what you decide.....

 

[jonathan_paul]

Damn, how much is shipping on these usually? I was all already to buy the 225 from pcmall, but they want $30 to ship ups ground, the lowest shipping option which brings the total to $260. I guees I need tolook into the 125 since soundcity will beat pcmall's price on the 125 so I should be able to get it for less than 180+ whatever they charge for shipping, hopefully not as much as pcmall.

 

[Ian-Fl]

It's free ground shipping for the avr125 at $180 at ecost.com.

 

[JeffHunter]

free ground shipping for the avr225 at $224.99 at ecost.com

 

[jonathan_paul]

I thought ecost.com was not an authorized HK dealer?

 

[JeffHunter]

who said that ?

just cause they aren't listed doesn't mean they aren't authorized .....


call up HK to make sure if you'd like, but i highly doubt that they would call themselves auth. if they weren't

 

[jonathan_paul]

I was just going by what was listed on the HK site. I guess it would be kind of difficult for them not to be an authorized HK dealer, since they are selling refurbished units they must be getting them from HK, no?

I found that I can get a new avr 125 for $240, about the same price as the refurbished 225, would I be better of buying new?

 

[JeffHunter]

I'd say definatly go for the Refurb, I mean it's the same product -- same warranty. -- Much cheaper price ..

 

[Greg Thomas]

Fry's has the HK 125 for $196 brand new. Not sure if you have one in your neighborhood.

 

[Mark_H]

I got my AVR-225 refurb from Soundcity.com not sure if they have stock now, but I paid $240 shipped and they are an authorized dealer. I would buy from them again, everything went great.

I think HK stopped making the AVR-125 and 225 sometime this spring so these are not what I'd call old. I didn't care about component switching as my HDTV has two components and DVI and I think a direct connection is best anyway.

I "also" waffled between the AVR-125 and 225.
I brought a 125 home from CC and it had plenty of power for me, but I kind of wanted the onscreen display and EzSetup so I took it back and ordered the 225 and also got a bit more power.

After playing with EzSetup I'd say its better than by ear, but if you want everything setup perfectly you still need an SPL meter. (I probably won't bother however)

I considered $240 a bargain for a receiver like the AVR-225 but as I said don't be afraid to get the 125 based on power.

HK builds their receivers very well, my 225 replaced a 15 year old Yamaha 120w two channel receiver and the HK 125 I demo'd at home had as much power to drive my speakers as the Yamaha did.

 

[jonathan_paul]

Well I sent an email to HK to see if ecost was an authorized dealer and here is the response I got:

"I'm sorry but ecost.com is NOT an authorized HK dealer. It is strongly recommended to purchase from authorized dealers. This will enable you to have the full manufacturers warranty.



Sincerely,
James Pagano
Internet Support Specialist
Harman Consumer Group"


I guess I need to think twice about ordering a refurbished item from ecost since there won't be any warranty if there is something wrong?

 

[John S]

I just looked at the ecost site, I don't see where ecost claims to be HK Authorized.

I just ordered an Onkyo from them myself as an xmas present, I emailed Onkyo about it, the reply seem to skirt the authorized -vs- unauthorized issue, but they indicated they would provide warranty coverage for any of their factory refurbed products purchased through ecost.

That HK response would definetly have me thinking twice about it.

 

[John S]

PS: And at the bottom of the Onkyo SR501 ecost page, there is a note about service at Onkyo authorized service centers.

In the ecost HK AVR125 page, anything reguarding service is conspiculously ommitted.....

Hmmmmmmmm..... I am glad I went with the Onkyo see'n how this will be an xmas gift.

 

[JeffHunter]

well what the flip is with the "Harman Kardon Authorized" image that is displayed at the top of each product (above each image of the product itself) ??

 

[larry mac]

I have the 125 but would have gladly paid $50 more for the 225 had I not bought new. Am very satisfied with it but apparently there is an improvement on the 225 remote control that I would like.

I like to play around with the DPL2 movie & music and the Logic 7 movie & music modes. I have the settings different for each of the 4 modes, ( small/large speakers, sub/mains lfe, levels, etc). It is not very convenient to switch surround modes as the only way I know to do this is to go up or down thru the many modes I don't use. If they had only put these 4 modes adjacent to one another it wouldn't be such a problem.

I got the impression that the 225 remote has buttons for each surround mode allowing direct access.

Plus it never hurts to have 22% more power!

 

[jonathan_paul]

I would really like the 225, but don't want to buy it from ecost if HK is not going to honor the warranty. I am looking into buying a refurbed 225 directly from HK through their listings on ebay, but they are going for about 30-50 more than on ecost, plus another 20 for shipping. I did send a response back to HK about the logo on the ecost site and am interested to what they have to say.

 

[JeffHunter]

I'm going to raise a pretty big fuss if HK doesn't honor the warranty for my Ecost.com purchase. I doubt it will be a huge issue, from what I know HK has great customer service. The fact that Ecost has done what they have done is very deceiving and GRRRRRRR .. I"m upset.

I purchased an AVR225 about a week and a half ago, I have yet to receive it (still being shipped). ARG!

 

[Mark_H]

I have not seen HK make a fuss about not honoring warranty like Denon does.

That said if it were me I would email HK and ask them if they would honor your warranty if you purchased from eCost.com

The price break on the refurbs is nice but one reason I liked buying a HK refurb was getting a full 2yr factory warranty on it. Since I bought from SoundCity.com I got the warranty.

Anyway, I'd email HK and only buy from an authorized dealer if they give a thumbs down.

For what its worth, I love the AVR-225 but after having it probably would have loved the 125 just as much. I think Soundcity.com has these in stock if you want to save a few bucks.

You might also email them and ask when/if they will be getting any 225's.