Topic: Are Harmon/Kardon receivers junk?...or help me build a system

[JiB97]

Specifically this one: Harmon HK3490 http://tinyurl.com/kjdg9c

Do they just try to look high end, and are for suckers? I'm really clueless when it comes to the playback side of things.  Basically, what I am looking for is a 2 channel receiver that can handle a coaxial signal from my computer to playback 24 bit files.  Budget pretty much around $300, give or take $50-75. But I could be talked into something more if it is really that much better.

Thanks in advance.

[unclelouie]

Just my $.02 here, but I'm not a huge fan of the new(er) Harmon/Kardon stuff. Don't get me wrong here, for your price range, I wouldn't rule out H/K, but you'd be better off saving up and buying something a bit nicer.

Also, what do you have planned for speakers? To me, speakers can make or break the system. If you don't have a good pair, you'll need to reconsider your price range.

Or, if you want to keep it cheap, you could always buy some Edirol MA-15Ds. They're $168 on Amazon.com...and they'll do what you want them to. I can't say I've actually heard them, but I've heard good things...

[noahbickart]

I think you could do better with a dac/preamp and a simple used power amp. for example:

DAC: http://cgi.ebay.com/ZERO-24-192-DAC-D-A-CONVERTOR-HEAD-FI-AMP-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ120312010479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c032796ef&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50#ht_8220wt_941

Amp:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1251760033&/Adcom-GFA-545-power-amplifier-