onkyo TX-SR502 or HK235

[madguitar26]

am currently in the process of upgrading from an old dolby digital pioneer VSX-D557 receiver.
use 100% for movies and shows,for my music i rather listen them with my senn HD565 headphone.
i live in a small apartment therefor lots of power aint a
concerne but at leat 50 real watts is needed.

i cannot test the receivers myself for there is no return policy in my country(brazil) and uesd is the only way to go.
i had already decided on the HK 235 until i read great things about the onkyo TX-SR502.
i wanna know if the onkyo has the same power in real watts or at least an equal sound for Hometheater.
yamaha´s arent my type of sound, although i acknowledge they are great sounding,same for denon.
dont wanna spend more than 400 bucks

[madguitar26]

ad to that the MARANTZ SR4500 .

[davidb]

Don't have any personal experience with the Marantz, but I do with the other two. I'd recommend the HK hands down. It is, in reality, a much more powerful receiver, despite the advertised wattage on each. In addition to that, the HK has (at least to my ear) a less abrasive sound than the 502 and 503. Additionally, the 235 (and the 240) have a full set of pre-outs and 8-channel analog inputs, as opposed to 6-channel on the Onkyo 503 and I assume the 502 as well. This is important if you ever connect a computer to the system, as some computer games can actually support a discrete 7.1 channel output. Three of each type of digital input, as opposed to 3 opt. / 1 coax. (especially important when most DVD players, at least at entry level, will come with only coax out).
If you ever moved out of your small apartment and got a bigger place with bigger speakers to fill it up, you'd be glad to have the amperage that the HK would give you. Move up to the 240 instead of the 235, and you get a quadruple crossover (excellent feature if your system uses different type/size speakers in different positions), nameable inputs, enhanced Ipod compatability, and maybe some other stuff I'm forgetting.

[L.J.]

Additionally, the 235 (and the 240) have a full set of pre-outs and 8-channel analog inputs, as opposed to 6-channel on the Onkyo 503 and I assume the 502 as well. This is important if you ever connect a computer to the system, as some computer games can actually support a discrete 7.1 channel output. Three of each type of digital input, as opposed to 3 opt. / 1 coax. (especially important when most DVD players, at least at entry level, will come with only coax out).
If you ever moved out of your small apartment and got a bigger place with bigger speakers to fill it up, you'd be glad to have the amperage that the HK would give you. Move up to the 240 instead of the 235, and you get a quadruple crossover (excellent feature if your system uses different type/size speakers in different positions), nameable inputs, enhanced Ipod compatability, and maybe some other stuff I'm forgetting.

Excellent points :)

[madguitar26]

thanks for the reply
i had no ideia the HK240 was so much of an improvement over its predecessor.
just out of curiosity,what would be the step up after the HK240?
brazilian folks claim the denon avr 3805 as the living god in the HT realm,
as the NAD line of receivers.
i wanna know your input on this one

[L.J.]

thanks for the reply
i had no ideia the HK240 was so much of an improvement over its predecessor.
just out of curiosity,what would be the step up after the HK240?
brazilian folks claim the denon avr 3805 as the living god in the HT realm,
as the NAD line of receivers.
i wanna know your input on this one


Thought you were only looking to spend 400 :p

[madguitar26]

still am looking for up to 400 bucks.
the question is outa curiosity :) :) :)

[L.J.]

still am looking for up to 400 bucks.
the question is outa curiosity :) :) :)

Next step up for HK would be the 340, which has a few more bells and whistles(more inputs, second zone, better remote). Compare (http://www.harmankardon.com/compare4.aspx?mainprod=AVR+240&selectprod=AVR+340&Submit=Compare).

Actually, you may be able to find a 335 (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Harman-Kardon-Surround-Sound-Receiver-AVR-335-/sem/rpsm/oid/109501/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) for a little more than $400 mark. I believe the 340 is the replacement for the 335.

The 3805 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ovygOeVfr87/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&id=features_and_specs&i=033AV3805B#Tab) is a step up from my 2805. It offers a third zone, better remote, and a few more WPC over my 2805. Not enough for me to justify a $400 difference between the two, when I upgraded. I thinks it's a great unit though.

Shop around if you can.

[madguitar26]

i happened to find a used denon(thats in brazil).

could the HK 340 have the same power as the denon 2805?
even at 65 watts?

[L.J.]

i happened to find a used denon(thats in brazil).

could the HK 340 have the same power as the denon 2805?
even at 65 watts?

Short answer, yes. From what I've read about HK on numerous posts is that their WPC is more realistic, compared to other brands. In some circumstances, I'm sure my Denon is not producing 100 WPC, but it is surely enough to power my speakers with ease.

[madguitar26]

i happened to stumble upon a good deal on a used HK230.
but i have major doubts about it not having the cirrus processor and the dolby prologic 2 X.
its also heavier than the hk240..why´s that?

[madguitar26]

could i connect a Rega Big Brio amp to use with the front channels ?would that make the HK230 more powerfull on the other channels?

[L.J.]

could i connect a Rega Big Brio amp to use with the front channels ?would that make the HK230 more powerfull on the other channels?

From what I've read, by adding a 2 chan. amp to power your fronts, you take some of the load off your AVR. Not sure if that results into more power going to your other channels. I have not experienced this first hand so I really cant comment. Many here have their systems setup that way, so you may want to start a new thread with that question. Or I invite someone with a more appropriate answer to join in. I see no negatives with such a setup though.

[madguitar26]

im taking the HK´s out of the game as i tried one HK 235 and disliked it for movies.

so im adding the marantz sr4500 to the game
opinions please:
onkyo sr502 or marantz sr4500??
not interested in the features only sound and ability to reproduce good sound at high levels with authority.

[GMichael]

im taking the HK´s out of the game as i tried one HK 235 and disliked it for movies.

so im adding the marantz sr4500 to the game
opinions please:
onkyo sr502 or marantz sr4500??
not interested in the features only sound and ability to reproduce good sound at high levels with authority.

How about reliability? From what I've heard and read, the Marantz may have a small edge in sound, but has more returns than Onkyo's Denons or Yamaha's.

[L.J.]

And I don't think that 502 has any preouts

[GMichael]

And I don't think that 502 has any preouts

Right, 603 is their lowest unit with these.

[madguitar26]

reliability could be a plus.marantz out
what about an old yamaha rxv 995 for just the dolby digital sound?
could the onkyo 603 stack up to that good old yamaha sound?

[L.J.]

reliability could be a plus.marantz out
what about an old yamaha rxv 995 for just the dolby digital sound?
could the onkyo 603 stack up to that good old yamaha sound?

Is it possible to compare the two :confused: .

[tdst]

Is it possible to compare the two :confused: .
Yes. It is.

[L.J.]

Yes. It is.

HUH! :confused: