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- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"You will not find a better 2 channel for this price or anywhere near it"
Pros: Powerful, soft, warm, yet detailed sound
Cons: Slightly big, not for home theater but more power than most AV amps
Summary: This amplifier deserves a solid 10 for its price range and beats out everything in its immediate price range - and in my opinion for my sound preference it is better than Denon and many others and offers serious competition to NAD and Rotel Amps at 1/2 the price.
If you like warm sound that does not sound harsh yet is still detailed you will like this amp. Plenty powerful to drive low impedance speakers and has plenty of bass (I turned mine down a little).
This HK 2 channel amp will sound great with any speakers and will soften those speakers that are slightly harsh. Rotel Amps are slightly brighter and NAD is slightly more subdued by my ear.Updated
Don't let the low price that you can find the HK 3480 for(now 3485, this is a power attractive wonderful sounding receiver. The sound has a sence of power, depth, and non-fatiging warmth often lacking in other more expensive receivers. For instance, I cound't listen very long to my Onix Reference 1 monitors which although very open and revealing were slightly prone toward sibiliance when these beautiful but slightly bright speakers were connected to my Rotel RX1052, but with the HK 3480 they became much smoother and more likable. I don't think that there is another amp is this price range that sounds as good.
Also, unlike the Rotel RX1052 which has non of either, the HK has two switched outlets, a pre-amp out and in (great for some subs, etc), and a subwoofer out (needed for most subs).
Anyone looking for an audiophile 2 channel receiver for under $600 should buy this receiver! (Dolby to me is a waste of money and a silly trick played at most a few minutes during each movie, a 2 channel for less will give you much more power and better sound with it. )
