Harman Kardon AVR 65

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Harman Kardon AVR 65
This receiver has really nice sound in 2 channel and in 5.1 DD/DTS thanks to its new crystal chipsets. I never really cared for HK receivers because their surround performance always left something to be desired, until now.
The build quality is high, the remote is nice and easy to use. A few little gripes is the lack of a phone preamp for those using a turntable, and only 2 digital inputs. This receiver is an ok deal at $1299 retail. however, at $699 that is can be had for, it is definately a bargain !!
I would pick this receiver over the Yamaha RXV 795 for $599.
It is tough competition for the Sony 50ES which retails for $1000 and can be had for $649.

These are all good deals !!!
just one year ago, this price point for features and quality you get was unheard of.

email me at: suppers_ready@juno.com
if you have any questions.

Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
The AVR 65 seems like nice unit however I experienced a loud hum comming from all channels especially the center channel. I tried disconnecting every component I had, switching wall jacks, disconnecting the cable (for radio stations), running it through a line conditioner no luck. When I contact HK they informed me that they have had some calls like this and the problem was a quality control issue with cold solder joints on the fuses. You would expect more for $1000.00. Also this unit did not have a learning remote, the volume had to be set rather high to get an acceptable level of sound and it caused interference with my TV! I would not recommend it. Perhaps if HK fixes the bugs it might be worth $500 but there are a lot of other receivers out there, I would check them out first.

Overall Rating: 3
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27223

Harman Kardon AVR 65
I have owned this receiver for a month now and give it a fair to good rating

Pros : Excellent sound quality, even in a flat setting,(and I do mean great sound, High Current amps are the way to go ) and the unit runs extremely cool

Cons: Does have a sound level issue in ProLogic Surround mode, need to set at -14 db to get loud, but with the unit running so cool, so what Remote broke after 2 weeks, could use 1 more video input
, no phono pre-amp but not to big of a deal really

This unit can be had for $700.00, and if music is a consideration, you should consider one.

Overall Rating: 7
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
Receiver has nice features, however the HK quality is NOT THERE!! This receiver
has way to many problems ie. Hum, Hiss, interference. Don't take it from me, visit www.audioreview.com before you buy this unit.

Overall Rating: 2
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I went to audioreview.com , the hiss was on units with a serial number < 4000
otherwise, everyone else gave it good reviews. The sound on this unit is clean.. No HISS, No Humm, just pure sound... It was even rated above soney ES
and Yamaha on one review... ??

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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I just got mine 2 days ago from Uncle's Stereo. It worked flawlessly, no hiss, no hum. The only problem is that I couldn't get it to work under DTS. I think there might be something wrong with my DVD player because it simply said DVD NO DATA on the AVR 65 when I tried it under DTS. Under DD AC3 it is simply perfect. Even on my pathetic Bose HT it actually sounded ok. When I tried it in Future Shop on AR speakers not sure which model it's the standing one, it is simply wonderful. Anyone who want to get this receiver, go ahead just make sure to check the production number >4000 I think or better yet just check the unit first.

Overall Rating: 9
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I have had my AVR 65 for 2 months now, and I'm very satisfied! Earlier I had a Harman Kardon AVI 200, and an AVR 75. The 75 was not as good as the 65 is. The sound on the 75 was, to me, alittle bit to sharp. The 65 is much smoother.
And it includes DTS and a input for an external 5.1 decoder. And the remote- controll is very good, compared to the AVR 75. But the 65 lacks a RF- input, so I had to buy a RF- demodulator (from Yamaha). And the radio is better on the AVR 75 (and 85). But if your looking for a true AV- receiver, I recommend the AVR65. But make sure you get a new one. The first 65 that was sold in America, lacks an "earth- cable" so it have some "hum"! BEWARE!

Overall Rating: 10
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
serious interference problem that Harman\Kardon still hasnt done anything about...

Overall Rating: 1
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
Mine was DOA. No sound from the amps. Poor QC. Bought a Yamaha RX-V995 instead.

Overall Rating: 3
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I compared the h/k with Yam,Onkyo,Denon, and Pioneer Elite.
For the money, the H/K is the clear choice. It offers a 2year warranty, dd,dts,a great remote, smooth and clear sound, etc..
I have owned mine for 2 months-no problems-it just keeps getting better-Can be had for around 750 mail order-

Overall Rating: 10
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I had to return my firt HK AVR-65 due to a very audible hum with all
periphals turned off and the volume control set at any level. The replacement I received suffered from the same malady. So long Harman Kardon.

Overall Rating: 3
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
i've had my HK AVR65 for nearly 5 months and i love it!! i had no major humm/hiss but i could hear something with my ear to the centre channel so i've sent it in for a free upgrade that i'm told is a replacement of 6 ohm resistors to 10 ohm.

i have set mine up with an SPL meter and hardly ever go over -25db. the sound is beautifully clean and clear and the 65W rating doesn't seem to matter all.

i deducted 1 mark as i don't like the soft start that gives a 1 sec audio delay when detecting a dolby digital signal. apart from that everything is sweet. the remote is one of the best i have seen - learning, easy to use and well laid out. i use it to control my dvd, tv, vcr and cable box without any problems.

i chose this over the yamaha 795 'cos this is better built and doesn't have any cheapo spring clips instead of binding posts!

give this a "day in court" and go home happy :-)

boss nas

Overall Rating: 9
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I got my AVR-65 from www.sounddistributors.com (great price at $750.00)I Love It. DTS decoder on board. Hi current amplifier section. Sounds great with the Infinity speakers. I would tell anyone looking for a good quality unit to buy this one. The only slight draw back is 1 digital input. So far not a problem - but if I want to expand it I need a splitter. Definatley a unit to have.

Overall Rating: 7
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
It worked great for 3 months or so. Then, one of the front speaker outputs was gone. It had to be repaired. I guess HK should change its manufacturing site to some other country where they can have a better quality control. A lot of stuff made in China is sub-standard (sorry to say that, but I have experienced it with other stuff too).

Overall Rating: 7
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I've had an AVR65 since Feb 99. Out of the box, it had a hum from all channels.
HK admitted to a design flaw which had an internal grounding change that an
authorized dealer could make as a work-around. Then I found out that no 3rd
party remotes would control the unit at a distance of greater than 6 ft (I
tried the One For All Pro-Producer and the Marantz amongst others). HK never
admitted a problem. I finally got it to work by using an external IR receiver
attached to the IR IN jack on the HK. The unit also causes severe RF
interference on TV channel 4 (they admit that this is a problem if you don't
have cable TV). My last call to them just over a week ago resulted in "engineering is looking into it, no fix date available."

Now, to top it off, this evening my center channel output "fuzzed out".

I would not wish this unit on my worst enemy.

Needless to say, I'm in the market for a decent receiver :(

Overall Rating: 1
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
European version, costs about $1100 in Sweden.
The difference from US version I found so far: 240volt, PAL video output, Remote Control device not programmable via Direct Code method only via head to head learning. BTW, the remote works pretty good as a Universal remote...cool.

Best price/performance currently available around $1100-$1600. Other brands that include DTS costs $1300+ without RDS tuner (in Sweden), they have more features and are more expensive but does not sound as good. If you value sound more than features the choice of receiver is Harman/Kardon AVR-65. Does not have a phono input, if you want to use vinyl buy a RIAA device.

Very low return rate, quality is ok. Does not seem to have any of the problems the first US versions had.

Good bargain for those people who prefer good sound before lots of buttons and features but do not be mistaken there is enough in and output connections and so forth.

• High Current Capability (+/- 40 amps), Ultrawide-Bandwidth (8Hz - 80kHz) amplifier Design for Maximum Performance from Digital and Analog Sources
• All-Discrete Amplifier Circuitry
• Uniform Power to All Channels
• Dolby Digital and DTS® Onboard
• Automatically Switches to Correct Digital-Processing Format
• Sophisticated Multiroom Control System
• Versatile Bass-Management System
• Preamp Outputs for All Channels
• Advanced Crystal DSP Circuit for Best Possible Digital Decoding
• Advanced On-Screen Control System
• Multiple A/V Inputs, Including S-Video
• 6-Channel Direct Inputs for Future Expansion
• Elegant, Backlit, Programmable Multiproduct Remote Control


Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27240

Harman Kardon AVR 65
This unit generated so much noise that I couldn't get ckean video anywhere in the house.

Overall Rating: 5
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Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=27243

Harman Kardon AVR 65
There is no question that this unit sounds aweinspiring in DVD DTS and AC3 movies. It has very good general music qualities as well. You can listen to Nak's AV 10, Yamaha, Dennon and Krell....the HK 65 stands out, it definetly fills the room with quality, bright, distinctive, accurate sound....BUT...every where you read people have had problems with this unit....early units had grounding problems ( pre serial # 7075 or so ) mine is sr# 111,446 and no hum or hiss but I did get the video interference when amp was on and watching normal TV...BUT THE FIX IS IN>>>>here is the scoop...

I have just received some information from HK that I will share with you that you can confirm and share with your readers.....it seems the video interference ( bars/stripes on some TV channels when amp is turned on) is caused by the cirrus prologic chip set. ALL computer chips ( yes even Intel) send out RF frequencies, and in computers these RF signals are prevented from sending
out lines to your monitor by wrapping a lead "like" cylinder around the video cable at both ends ( going into your computer and into your monitor )...have a look at your computer video cable).. HK will provide for free, this cylinder..just call their tech dept at 800-553-3332 and be prepared to wait 20 to 30 minutes....they are busy but co-operative and helpful......you attach the cylinder to your TV's 75 ohm cable in line and another to the Amps ac power cord close to the receiver. If you are using a larger than normal 75 ohm cable line ( ie monster cable or the like), let them know as the cylinders come in two sizes.

Overall Rating: 8
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
VERY VERY GOOD !!!!!

Overall Rating: 10
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Harman Kardon AVR 65
I got mine for $550.00, and thought I got a great deal. UPS should be picking it up tomorrow for the return trip. It worked for about 5 minutes before going into protected mode. Having one of the 5 THX certified installers in the state doing the installation for me makes me believe that the HK is not the receiver for me. Next... maybe Denon.

Overall Rating: No Vote
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