HK AVR 2600 or 3600?

[blindcat87]

I think I may finally be able to manage a receiver upgrade this year if things go well. I am pretty well settled on HK, while I had thought of going back to Denon, I would have to spend signifigantly more to get the lowest level Denon I would want and I think the HK sound is the best transition from the digital amp sound I've come to love but sadly can't get in a full featured receiver.

What I am trying to decide is if I should save up a bit longer to get th AVR 3600 instead of the AVR 2600. As far as I can tell, the only differences are the inclusion of the iPod adapter, which I doubt I would use even though I have an iPod, 15 watts per channel which, even with HKs accurate power ratings isn't that much of a gain, and the second room features which I would never use. Oh, and preouts for outboard amps, which is the only feature I might have a future use for, but likely not for quite some time, probably years, barring a major windfall that would allow me to go with separates. Are their other differences I have missed? Better power supply? Differences in the amps beyond the slight increase in power? While part of me wan'wants to get the better model, for that matter, part of me wants to save even longer and try to go for the 7550, I just am not finding a compelling reason to spend the extra money unless someone who knows more about the units than I do or who has used or auditioned both can give me some information that might change my mind. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am still quite some ways out from actually pulling the trigger, so I have plenty of time to mull over the options.

Thanks,

Chris

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

I think I may finally be able to manage a receiver upgrade this year if things go well. I am pretty well settled on HK, while I had thought of going back to Denon, I would have to spend signifigantly more to get the lowest level Denon I would want and I think the HK sound is the best transition from the digital amp sound I've come to love but sadly can't get in a full featured receiver.

What I am trying to decide is if I should save up a bit longer to get th AVR 3600 instead of the AVR 2600. As far as I can tell, the only differences are the inclusion of the iPod adapter, which I doubt I would use even though I have an iPod, 15 watts per channel which, even with HKs accurate power ratings isn't that much of a gain, and the second room features which I would never use. Oh, and preouts for outboard amps, which is the only feature I might have a future use for, but likely not for quite some time, probably years, barring a major windfall that would allow me to go with separates. Are their other differences I have missed? Better power supply? Differences in the amps beyond the slight increase in power? While part of me wan'wants to get the better model, for that matter, part of me wants to save even longer and try to go for the 7550, I just am not finding a compelling reason to spend the extra money unless someone who knows more about the units than I do or who has used or auditioned both can give me some information that might change my mind. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am still quite some ways out from actually pulling the trigger, so I have plenty of time to mull over the options.

Thanks,

Chris

DITTO!
Emotiva amps are budget friendly.
I too have been eying the HK AVR2600( $549 ) & HK AVR3600( $699 ). I plan to go with the HK AVR3600 for the pre-outs alone. The HK AVR 3550HD( 32lbs ), AVR2600( 32lbs ) & AVR3600( 32lbs ) are all about the same. The HK AVR7550HD( 52lbs ) is HK's flagship model & has the build to prove it.

Snapshots of avsforum.com member Asrman's HK AVR7550HD.

IMG_0296.JPG.jpg

Weighs 52 pounds, 20 pounds more than the AVR3600. Better quality beefier amp & better built chassis.


IMG_0288.JPG.jpg
Controls hidden by flip down panel.


IMG_0272.JPG.jpg
Gold plated inputs & outputs.

[Opips2]

Cool, thanks.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

I think I may finally be able to manage a receiver upgrade this year if things go well. I am pretty well settled on HK, while I had thought of going back to Denon, I would have to spend signifigantly more to get the lowest level Denon I would want and I think the HK sound is the best transition from the digital amp sound I've come to love but sadly can't get in a full featured receiver.

What I am trying to decide is if I should save up a bit longer to get th AVR 3600 instead of the AVR 2600. As far as I can tell, the only differences are the inclusion of the iPod adapter, which I doubt I would use even though I have an iPod, 15 watts per channel which, even with HKs accurate power ratings isn't that much of a gain, and the second room features which I would never use. Oh, and preouts for outboard amps, which is the only feature I might have a future use for, but likely not for quite some time, probably years, barring a major windfall that would allow me to go with separates. Are their other differences I have missed? Better power supply? Differences in the amps beyond the slight increase in power? While part of me wan'wants to get the better model, for that matter, part of me wants to save even longer and try to go for the 7550, I just am not finding a compelling reason to spend the extra money unless someone who knows more about the units than I do or who has used or auditioned both can give me some information that might change my mind. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am still quite some ways out from actually pulling the trigger, so I have plenty of time to mull over the options.

Thanks,

Chris

Given the two, I would definitely recommend going for the 3600 if you can swing it. The 15 watt difference is pretty insignificant, but the other additional features are nice. The pre-outs, with which you can add outboard amps or future processors, is in my opinion a must-have feature in a receiver. Plus, I never thought iPod docks were very useful until I got one for my Yamaha. Being able to hook my iPod up has been fantastic.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by serenity

If not mistaken. The 2600 has pre-outs. If so. The 2600 is the better bargain in my book.

No pre-outs on the 2600, except for the subwoofer.


b002ikkfu0back.jpg
AVR2600 $549


b002ikkfuaback-1.jpg
AVR3600 $699

[BigAl87]

Was quite disapointed whan I saw that in store that the 2600 replacing my newly purchased 254 had no preouts so I bought the 254 who ended up being cheaper anyways even with 15 watts less I don't really car cause I have preouts out on it.

3600 would defenately be my choice in the op's case.

[blindcat87]

Which reputable dealers have the 3600 for $699. A lot of them seemed to have had that price for a while, but now most have jumped it up to $999 or so. Under $700, the 3600 is an obvious choice. At over $900, not so much.

Thanks,

Chris

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

DITTO!
Emotiva amps are budget friendly.
I too have been eying the HK AVR2600( $549 ) & HK AVR3600( $699 ). I plan to go with the HK AVR3600 for the pre-outs alone. The HK AVR 3550HD( 32lbs ), AVR2600( 32lbs ) & AVR3600( 32lbs ) are all about the same. The HK AVR7550HD( 52lbs ) is HK's flagship model & has the build to prove it.

Snapshots of avsforum.com member Asrman's HK AVR7550HD.

Attachment 12381

Weighs 52 pounds, 20 pounds more than the AVR3600. Better quality beefier amp & better built chassis.


Attachment 12380
Controls hidden by flip down panel.


Attachment 12379
Gold plated inputs & outputs.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by blindcat87

Which reputable dealers have the 3600 for $699. A lot of them seemed to have had that price for a while, but now most have jumped it up to $999 or so. Under $700, the 3600 is an obvious choice. At over $900, not so much.

Thanks,

Chris

Harman Kardon AVR3600 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver in Stereo and Surround Sound Receivers at JR.com

[Opips2]

I glad to bought Harman Kardon AVR-254 has lossless audio TrueHD Dolby and DTS HD Master. I don't know about that pre-out for a separate amp.

my speaker has bi-wire. so I use bi-amp the receiver "A" wire to high frequency and separate amplifier "B" wire to low frequency by speaker bi-amp. I remove bridges metal off the speakers.

Bi-amp reduces the negative effects of the impedance differences between high and low frequencies traveling through a single wire. Bi-amp speakers with separate wires reduces the interaction between the two and improves sound quality.

[blindcat87]

Thanks, I hadn't even checked there since they usually list their items on Amazon as well and the lowest price there is $999. For some odd reason, J&R didn't list the 3600 on amazon.

I bought my first non-HTIB receiver at J&R way back. It was the Denon AVR-2600 or 2400 or something like that I think, IIRC, a DD model since DTS was just barely beginning to creep into the market via LDs. I got an incredible deal because of a very kind person on one of the rec.audio.* newsgroups, he had a friend who had connections at one of the stores who referred him at the price he had gotten and this guy referred me. When I called in the order and asked if I could get the same price as my friend the guy said I could and asked me the price. When I told the guy the price he was silent for almost a minute and said he had to check that out. He put me on hold for about ten minutes then returned and told me in an amazed voice that the deal was legit and took my order telling me it was good to have friends. I agreed since the price was nearly half the usual price. I still don't know how the original guy got the deal, but it remains to this day one of the best A/V bargains I've ever gotten and I still have a soft spot for J&R.

I think I am going to target my savings fund for the 3600. At that price, it isn't much above what I thought the 2600 would cost according to the prices of different sellers on Amazon. Now I just have to have the discipline to not blow my budget on BDs over the next couple of months.

Chris

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Harman Kardon AVR3600 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver in Stereo and Surround Sound Receivers at JR.com

[deathjester]

Any one know if there are problems with this years models. I bought one last year and i returned it because of sound drop outs. If this problem is fixed ill buy that AVR3600 for 700 bucks right now. Since i returned that HK i havent been able to find a reciever that sounded as good

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by deathjester

Any one know if there are problems with this years models. I bought one last year and i returned it because of sound drop outs. If this problem is fixed ill buy that AVR3600 for 700 bucks right now. Since i returned that HK i havent been able to find a reciever that sounded as good

Some times you have to tolerate the good with the bad.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1178816