Hello,

maybe you have seen these links?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/
http://www.ecoustics.com/Home/Home_Audio/

I considered an HK AVR but decided on an NADT763. (I like the glowing blue knob of the HK ;^) I think both HK and NAD are more generous in their power ratings than, say, Denon or marantz. After a round of factory repair for a protect mode problem and firmware update, I am very happy with the NAD. For DVD, I never researched HK, I got a 5 disc Sony DVD player that works great, component vid, optical audio.
jeff

I agree, Denon, is top notch,I just installed one in a customers yacht,AVR-2805
an excelent reciever at $850 bucks. Also enables you to passthru/upconvert your s vid and composite signals and output out its component monitor output, another feature I like(only need 1 input to your tv/HD monitor. no xtra input switching steps.
I own a Harmon Kardon, and have installed many of them as well, they to are very good ,and SUPERB customer support.

You really need to pair up your receiver with your speakers. My receiver was the only component that I did not buy online. I went with the NAD, because the Denon (3805?) was not as well suited for my 5-6 ohm speakers, I actually started with a marantz 7500, which ran hot as hell kinda freaked me out, so I returned it. The NAD has an internal fan. Home audio/theater discussions can quickly evolve into brand loyalty and warfare.

Whoah, Billy, wait for RednRoll on this one as he works or has worked for them.

Red's always been forthright in all other areas and I'd expect nothing different here. It will be however to say the least, interesting to see his response under the guise of his current or previous employer's umbrella.

MJ

I have an AVR 220 and love it. I have it tied into my four built-in wall speakers (similar to Infiniti--with mid and tweeter), my Cerwin Vega center speaker (compared to numerous units and had the best sound of those within the mix), and my Accoustic Reseach 12" self-powered subwoofer, along with a Mitsubishi 62" TV.

I've had it about 90% volume (with the wife and kids gone--or I would drive them out) wihout noticing any distortion (except my picture coming off the wall--any higher and I'd be afraid of my speakers coming out of the wall). Even though the 220 is rated "45 watts" it will produce more sound than I can tollerate. The next model up worked with HD (and my big screen wasn't HD compatible), the next one after that had 7.1 and they start increasing the power. I feel I got just the right mix. Had it for about 3 years and LOVE it (never a single regret).

I also have a HK TD4200 tape deck that I use to read tapes to my system to create CD's. VERY clean and clear.

I wouldn't consider them the highest pro or fanatic grade, but they are definately on the higher end of the consumer stuff. Plus, you can get some great deals if you can catch them on sale (like now, when the old models are being discounted and moved out).

The biggest complaint I heard about HK was the remote. It seems perfectly fine to me but it can't controll all my devices, so I use a programable universal remote with my HK A/V with "macros" to switch all my devices at once (turns the receiver to DVD, turns the TV mode to DVD, turns the DVD player on and stays in DVD mode for control). I was able to "capture" most of the unique system commands right off my HK remote.

Highly recommended.

As with any brand some models are better than others. In the $400 category, the Harmon Kardon AVR-235 seems to have good reviews by users.
For the same amount of money the most amazing buy seems to be the Pioneer VSX-1014TX-K. It is essentially the same unit as their Elite Series VSX-52TX which goes for around $150 more. It weighs 35 pounds which is often an indicator of build quality in a receiver. Check out user reviews around the net.

John

Check the Klipsch forum. You will find all you need to know.

klipsch.com

JJK

Or the "SPOT"
Home Theater Spot that is not our friendly nieghborhood DSE.

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/index.php

you might want to look into the Outlaw line too.

"Whoah, Billy, wait for RednRoll on this one as he works or has worked for them."

Yep, I still work for Harman, not in the consumer products division for Harman/Kardon though. I work in the development for OEM premium audio systems in vehicles with the Mark Levinson, Infinity, H/K and JBL brands. I am pretty familiar with our Harman/Kardon A/V and DVD players though. I own a H/K AVR-520 and an AVR-7000. The Harman/Kardon receivers are top notch and I love mine. Have had each for over 3 years now and haven't had a problem. One nice feature they have is that the remote control has a microphone in it and the A/V receiver has an auto setup feature. You basically sit in your home theater in the place you want the sound optimized for with the remote, and the system will adjust all the speaker levels and delay settings for each channel in your surround setup. This feature is not on all H/K receivers so check first.

I have some reservations on the DVD players. They do have great sound quality, because the D/A converters are a little higher end than your standard DVD player, but there has been some quality issues with the 5 disc changer in the past and they've been kind of hit and miss. No problems with returning it within the warranty period and they'll replace it though. Also no problems with the single disc player, so I recommend one of these. I think they might have even discontinued the 5 disc changer for awhile due to the problems.

Red, you work for a great Co.
just a quick customer service success story,
I had an AVR 500 that was out of wty on time plus had failed due to a power surge/ lightning strike on a customers boat.
I took it to a repair center that "claimed" to be an authorized H/K repair center.
Had it a week, and called and said "it's not worth fixing but couldnt say what all was wrong with it."
(me knowing better, picked it up and payed $50.00 for diag.
I was able to diag it myself self at least trace it to one of two boards.
I called H/K and told asked the rep if i could send it to them directly.
he asked why I told him my story.
Cutting to the chase here, he reccomended a repair center in Cal.
even offered and faxed my prepaid shipping and insurance to the center.
they called me shortly after they got it fixed it for 180.00 shipping back incld.
The Rep followed up a few weeks after to see if all worked out.
All for a reciever OUT of wty.

Thats service!

IIn the Mid 80s I purchased two high end Harmon Kardon pieces a receiver and a stereo VHS deck both were excellent at the time and were basically un matched by anything else I could find in the price range ($1000 receiver $700 for the VHS).

They performed well when new and for a number of years afterward. The receiver after two repairs is still in service as a secondary. The VHS still works and is used from time to time.

I liked the HK but was warned on each after the last repair that parts are no longer available and the next time they stop they are dead.

Needless to say the VHS is not as good as the $50 sonys on the market. I replaced the receiver with a denon. Very happy with that. The dealer I bought it from no longer carried HK.

I would have purchased HK again.

Harman/Kardon has always had a well-deserved good reputation. I still have a H/K Citation 12 power amp from the 70's that I have used all day, every day since it was new. I'm certain that it has well over 100,000+ hours on it. I have never had a single issue with it EVER and it still sounds great.

John

Chanimal said:
"I wouldn't consider them the highest pro or fanatic grade, but they are definately on the higher end of the consumer stuff."

That would be our Mark Levinson brand products paired with Revel Speakers.
http://www.harmanspecialtygroup.com/

This is pretty interesting to me, because as I mentioned I work in developing the Levinson stuff which goes OEM into Lexus vehicles if you get the premium audio upgrade option. On occassion I support the auto shows around the U.S. and get to meet some interesting folks. I get a lot of people who are fanatical about the Levinson home equipment, because it is really intended for people who can afford to pay for the best. So, I'll get these guys that start talking to me and say, "You know I was really disappointed when you guys started to put Levinson into Lexus vehicles. I really thought I had something special at home that the everyday Joe couldn't get." I have to say, "Sorry you're right, with my measly engineering salary, I find if I want to be able to afford a Levinson system, I have to go out and buy a Lexus."

If anyone cares, I settled on a Denon. They too are suppose make decent quality consumer stuff. Haven't hooked it up yet. Anyhow I was all set to get a Harman Kardon, had the model picked out and everything then...

My new $#$^$ entertainment credenza has a slighly narrower shelf then apparently is normal so the HK and a couple other makes I was interested in wouldn't fit. I'm talking a fraction of a inch. The stupid shelf is 17.2 inches exactly. Most of the HK model measure 17.3 inches, so I couldn't even shorehorn the thing in. The Denon comes in at 17.1 and all the ventalation is on the top and bottom of the unit while the HK also has vents on the sides, so I was afraid things would get too hot and maybe present a fire hazard.