Could You do any worse than this?

Carlman · « **Reply #20 on:** 30 Jul 2005, 03:12 pm »

Well, I went ahead and bought one of these... (the 2-channel version) because I needed something to power some outdoor speakers.

These receivers are about $95 at Best Buy and I bid 15.50 plus the exorbitant $20 shipping/profit fee. But, at $35.50, I'm happy to get some tunes on my deck.

I seriously doubt this is anywhere close to being like a Marantz but who knows... ?

It does have pre-outs and good looking binding posts.. We shall see......

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #21 on:** 1 Aug 2005, 10:23 pm »

After some research....I think that the Insignia receiver is manufactured by KLH.

Quote

Carlman wrote:
Well, I went ahead and bought one of these... (the 2-channel version) because I needed something to power some outdoor speakers.

These receivers are about $95 at Best Buy and I bid 15.50 plus the exorbitant $20 shipping/profit fee. But, at $35.50, I'm happy to get some tunes ...

BillyM · « **Reply #22 on:** 1 Aug 2005, 11:27 pm »

....if it shares any components with the KLH 2x100 stereo amplifier (same front layout, same price, same store) then you may be slightly let-down with it. I picked it up on a whim, for $49 when they were closing them out a year ago or so. I'm sure I could have used it somewhere else in the house. Got home and plugged it in, HUMMMM! Used a cheater plug, HUMMMM!, unplugged the inputs, HUMMMM!. Piece of crap. I went and got my $50 back.

Hopefully, they fixed whatever was wrong, let us know.
--billyM

Carlman · « **Reply #23 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 09:45 pm »

It arrived! It has no hum.. thankfully it knows ALL the words.

Yes, the Insignia IS-HC040918 is playing right now in all its splendor. All 200 watts, just flowing from my speakers with all the grace and beauty of an old mule.

I know everyone's dying to see the real specs so, I quickly shuffled to the back of the manual and here are the complete amplifier specs:
Left & Right Channel: 2x100 watts
Signal to Noise (A weight): 85db
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz +/- 1.5db

Everything you need to know!

I know it hasn't 'broken in' yet but I don't expect big things from this amp. I do feel certain it will be marginally adequate for outdoor speakers I put together with scrap and cheap Wal-mart car speakers.

A few operational notes: It says 'Welcome' and scrolls this warm message across the screen at seemingly random times while it's on... it says 'bye bye' when you turn it off... the volume goes up to 74. I'd say it's at about 80db at '50' on the dial.... and then maybe 100db at 60. When the volume is at 'half' (34-36) it's low background level.... just strange to me that it gets super loud at one point, way up the volume scale. At low volumes it's really 'pinched' sounding. Must need more break-in...

There's a wee torroid on the left, maybe 100va or so... maybe less.

Anyway, if someone's looking for a remote-controlled receiver to power some crappy outdoor speakers for $35 or less, this would probably be OK.

Have fun!

BradJudy · « **Reply #24 on:** 4 Aug 2005, 10:17 pm »

Carlman,

Maybe it just needs to be modified with some Blackgates.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #25 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 02:56 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

I thought that was 'Soundesign'. I owned something by that name from Kmart... Also I had some 'GPX' crap, a Lloyd's 3-in-1, and plenty of other junk along the way.

Sounddesign makes 2nd rate crap and in a few cases, some 1st rate crap. Only 3rd rate crap or worse is worthy of consideration in this category.

Quote

As to the original topic, I came across a complete component setup of 'Coby' branded gear.

Ah yes, I had forgotten about Coby, until you so rudely reminded me.

Coby certainly qualifies as 3rd or possibly even 4th rate crap.

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #26 on:** 5 Aug 2005, 03:04 pm »

Nothing compares to the crap of the crap....YORX..

They were however the inventors of the first HTIB...Check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YORX-ENTERTAINMENT-SYSTEM-ALL-IN-ONE-WOW_W0QQitemZ5784297144QQcategoryZ11074QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 04:17 pm »

Carlman,

How's that Insignia receiver working out for you?

Carlman · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 04:33 pm »

Quote from: tubeytubeamp

Carlman,

How's that Insignia receiver working out for you?

Funny you say 'working out'...

I've moved it to our home gym where it will be powering a pair of bookshelves... It was too big for the shelf where my outdoor speakers are wired. I'd classify this receiver as 'barely adequate for most uses'.

-C

tubeytubeamp · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Aug 2005, 04:41 pm »

Thanks,

I've decided to steer clear of this receiver.

Dennis