HK 354 for $200?

[acritzer]

Was just browsing the refirbs on eBay. Is this a good receiver for that price? Now that my eD is shipping I might have to get upgraditis for a receiver.

[McGarnigal]

I'd say so, the 254 is usually 250 range...

[citizen]

thats a great price for it, somehow i doubt that would be the final price, make sure you know what you are getting into with the hk's

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by citizen

thats a great price for it, somehow i doubt that would be the final price, make sure you know what you are getting into with the hk's

Yeah, I'm not sure what the final was...but with 20 min. to go it was right at $200. What do you mean, "know what you are getting into"?

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Yeah, I'm not sure what the final was...but with 20 min. to go it was right at $200. What do you mean, "know what you are getting into"?

Most of the problems can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1043407

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Most of the problems can be found here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1043407

I agree with you ZIppo owning the 254 myself but I read the last posts of that thread and it's August 2009.

The latest firmware is actually from July 2009 and alot of people were waiting for it at this time.

I must say the unit was quite aweful before upgrading the firmware. Issues with sound with video not coming up had to switch back and forward 5 to 10 times before getting a signal. Sound not coming up for about 30 seconds to a minute after a long pause the would resume itself.

Each time it was changing tracks for cd it would take 2 to 3 seconds after beginnig of the song to start getting sound signal.

Well now let me tell ya after this firmware upgrade it fixed 99% of all the bugs in very rare occasions I will have an issue with sound coming with the dvd player where even if set to AVR best mode it falls in Logic 7 just reseting audio from the Surround Mode button on remote fies the issue.

The issue ironiclly only happens with my HK DVD48 thaught the unit could use a firmware upgrde itself but no upgrade available fir the DVD 48.

All in all now I think if the OP is willing to spend 45 minutes upgrading the Firmware, I think he'll be pleased by it's SQ.

[red-blu]

When I purchased my 254, I watched numerous of them skyrocket anywhere from $50-200 in the last 5 minutes... so if you have the patience, you'll be fine.

[KASR]

The H/K 154/254/354 have great SQ with some slight issues - most of which are address with firmware updates. Run, don't walk, and buy it!

[l.turner3]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Was just browsing the refirbs on eBay. Is this a good receiver for that price? Now that my eD is shipping I might have to get upgraditis for a receiver.

I just purchased a 354 Hk receiver and it's great!!! It has a lot of bell sand whistles and comes with preouts which is a must if you want add a amp later on down the line.

(You can see it in my Gallery, Old Pictures have to update that thing)

Get the update, cause its needed for this model.

One you get the firmware update I believe it's up their as a top middle gorund receiver.

If you want extra power the Higher models Performs beautifully, and they place the receivers true specs, and output numbers.

There is a Website( I believe Zippo) placed but you should laso see the regular thread which has a lot of happy customers after firmware.

If you get one I can start a HK receiver thread here

[Kratos3]

I own an HK 254. I'm having issues with audio pops and dropouts when watching DirecTV. I've updated firmware twice, but still having the same issue.

I think next time I'm going with Denon.

[Pycroft]

I absolutely love my 354, and for 200 bucks, it's a no brainer!