Harmon/Kardon AVR 320 for $299 at Fry's.... should I?

[MazerRackham]

Well, I don't really need a new receiver, but it would be nice to have the H/K. Looking at Yahoo's online retailers, the cheapest price I can find on this is $530. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough though. The sale on this ends today, and Fry's is open for another 5 hours. They might be sold out though.

So, the question is whether or not this is a deal too good to pass up? Online reviews seem good for this unit, although it has been replaced by the AVR 325 it seems.

What to do?

 

[glen]

Get a Pioneer like a Pioneer VSX-D511 Audio/Video Receiver for $189
or
a Pioneer VSX-D811S Audio/Video Receiver for $299
anywhere on the net like www.etronics.com

 

[RGN]

H/K recievers are awesome. There is no comparision between the 320 and the

Pioneer VSX-D511 Audio/Video Receiver for $189
or
a Pioneer VSX-D811S Audio/Video Receiver for $299

 

[DaveJ]

I have an HK AVR 520 and it rocks! The Pioneer 811S is not bad feature-wise, but the HK has a much better sound.... If your choice is one of the two, definitely get the HK!

Dave

 

[whiteboyatcal]

I agree wholeheartedly. IMHO, the only reciever <$500 that should even be compared to an H/K are the Onkyo units, and personally their monocolor displays and ergonomics just don't do it for me. I personally auditioned a LOT of recievers at various stores before deciding on the reciever I purchased, which happens to be the H/K AVR-320 you describe. My setup consists of the H/K reciever, speakers from the Polk Audio RTi series, and a 350w 12" Onkyo subwoofer. At $299 the price is not bad, but I suggest you look around a little more. I bought my AVR-320 from Circuit City as an Open Box item for $249 over a year ago. Also, at the time Circuit City was offering a free pair of crummy $40/pair Cerwin Vega speakers with the purchase of any reciever over $200. Well this offer is not supposed to apply to open box or clearance items but the salesman talked to the manager and they threw in the free speakers anyway!

So, I've had mine for over a year with absolutely no issues whatsoever. I should tell you that a month before I bought the H/K I purchased a Kenwood reciever (forget the model #) and it was an absolute POS so I returned it to the store (Best Buy). Most lower-end recievers by Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony etc. have a noticeable hiss when there is no music being played and I find this irritaiting. Usually you can't tell in the store either because of all the other noise going on. The AVR-320 has absolutely no audible hiss/static or other noise whatsoever. Also, just reach up and turn the knobs of any other unit and they feel cheap and poorly made, with no indexing. On the other hand, the H/K volume knob has a perfect, finely tuned subtle "clicky" feel that lets you know how far you have turned the volume up. The power of the H/K is incredible as well, and seems like more than 100w/channel advertised by other units.

When choosing speakers, make sure to listen to them on the unit you purchase, it does make a big difference. I have been told by numerous people that H/K recievers and Polk speakers are a really good combination and I have found this to be the case. All in all, as you might be able to tell, the AVR-320 is one of my favorite toys, and one I hope to keep for a long time. I recommend you get one too