Sony DH-800 (NEW) vs. HK AVR-254 (REFURB)

[NY Yankees 23 2]

Hey everybody. I am looking for an opinion on which to buy...the Sony DH 800 ( NEW )or the Harmon Kardan AVR 254 ( REFURB from the HK ebay store ). And the AVR 254 is an auction that who knows when i will be the top bidder at a reasonable price...you know the rest of how ebay works, etc. Any thoughts would be great. Also I am looking around the $250 price range. I don't even want to go that high but I know i am gonna have to go at least that high for some descent quality. Fire away guys..Thanks in advance !!!

[progers13]

Originally Posted by chrishaney23

Hey everybody. I am looking for an opinion on which to buy...the Sony DH 800 ( NEW )or the Harmon Kardan AVR 254 ( REFURB from the HK ebay store ). And the AVR 254 is an auction that who knows when i will be the top bidder at a reasonable price...you know the rest of how ebay works, etc. Any thoughts would be great. Also I am looking around the $250 price range. I don't even want to go that high but I know i am gonna have to go at least that high for some descent quality. Fire away guys..Thanks in advance !!!

I don't know much about the HK other than their reputation for making good receivers, but I can vouch for the Sony DH-800. It has 7.1 and the ability to decode all the HD codecs. If you can get it for under $250, I think you could do a whole lot worse.

[NY Yankees 23 2]

the sony brand new is $269 ( free s/h ). and the HK on ebay i would believe around $240 MAYBE !

[NY Yankees 23 2]

progers13 you have the Sony DH-800? how is it?

[progers13]

Originally Posted by chrishaney23

progers13 you have the Sony DH-800? how is it?

I like it. Again, it was the entry level of the 7.1 receivers, has 4 HDMI inputs, and ability to decode all the HD codecs. The only drawback I'm running into is the amp itself and the lack of pre-outs. If you're only running 8 ohm speakers and have no plans to ever add an external amp, then it would be a great receiver for you. In my case, when I plan to add the amp I will also need to upgrade to a different receiver. But, keep in mind, receivers with pre-outs tend to be substantially more expensive.

As I said in an earlier post, I think you can take your pick. Both seem like really good deals. And you won't be out a lot of money if you find you want to upgrade to something else down the road.

[progers13]

Based on the specs, I say take your pick. The HK 254 also supports 7.1 and all the HD codecs, and lists for significantly higher than the Sony. If you can get it for $240, that may be the better way to go. Again, I have very limited experience with HK's so hopefully someone who knows them better can weigh in. I think the Sony DH800 for $269 isn't a bad deal either, but the HK 254 for $240 seems like a steal (even refurbed).

[NY Yankees 23 2]

Originally Posted by progers13

Based on the specs, I say take your pick. The HK 254 also supports 7.1 and all the HD codecs, and lists for significantly higher than the Sony. If you can get it for $240, that may be the better way to go. Again, I have very limited experience with HK's so hopefully someone who knows them better can weigh in. I think the Sony DH800 for $269 isn't a bad deal either, but the HK 254 for $240 seems like a steal (even refurbed).

Thanks for your input ! And one little thing if i may ask...probably a dumb question but how do you hook up 2 subs? Your setup is really "clean". i like it alot !

[progers13]

Originally Posted by chrishaney23

Thanks for your input ! And one little thing if i may ask...probably a dumb question but how do you hook up 2 subs? Your setup is really "clean". i like it alot !

Thanks!!! Hooking up 2 subs is actually pretty easy. I only have one sub line out, so I use a Y-adapter to split it into 2. One line runs from there to the sub on the left; the other line runs from there to the sub on the right.

As an alternative, a lot of subs also have lines out. So you could run the line directly into one and then use the out on that sub to run it to the other one. I've done it both ways, and I don't think there's much of a significant performance difference.