Harman Kardon receivers any good?

[abn1701]

My old Technics receiver finally died and I'd like to replaced it with
a Harman Kardon ( AVR-154).
I was told H-K receivers are very good for music.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

[christianb]

HK are my favorite receivers. I've owned three (just bought another last month) and have hooked them up for my parents and my brother in-law. I don't think there's a better receiver out there for the money.

[DougP]

I also like HK stuff. HK is one of the few companies that rate their products at a true power rating. So if it says 100 watts per channel you know you will be getting 100 watts per channel.

Doug

[hulan]

I bought a refurbished 340 and I love it. I don't think you'll be dissappointed if your like me, on a budget.

[DougP]

I forgot here is a link to get factory refurbished HK stuff.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...REC&market=HOM

[nepaeric]

If you are looking for a good quality, conservatively rated, high current, integrated reciever, as opposed to separate amplifier/pre-amp/tuner components, look no further than Marantz, HK, Onkyo and Yamaha.

Stay away from consumer grade junk like Radio Shack, Sony, JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, Technics, etc. For a few more dollars, you can have clean, discrete, high current power.

Check out Harman international's website for deals on refurbished HK units, and http://www.shoponkyo.com for the same in Onkyo.

Sometimes, factory internet shopping can yield your best deal, as opposed to buying from a retail store. Also, most carry the "same-as-new" warranty on thier refurbished products. Happy shopping :

Best Regards,
Eric

[abn1701]

Thanks a lot guys for your inputs.
I decided on the HK AVR 154 a very nice looking receiver with excellent quality audio.
Cheers.

[AJ]

If you are looking for a good quality, conservatively rated, high current, integrated reciever, as opposed to separate amplifier/pre-amp/tuner components, look no further than Marantz, HK, Onkyo and Yamaha.

Stay away from consumer grade junk like Radio Shack, Sony, JVC, Kenwood, Pioneer, Technics, etc. For a few more dollars, you can have clean, discrete, high current power.

Sorry, but all the brands you mention make some junk, and some decent stuff. All of them have receivers with discrete output stages in the same price brackets; or at least Kenwood, Sony, and Pioneer of the "crap" brands you listed. Even Radioshack with its Optimus receivers... Also remember that Pioneer made some of the biggest and well built receivers back in the day (SX1250 and SX1980).

You can get a dud from any of the companies so buy the one with the features you need and try not to get caught up in brand names.

[vasyachkin]

harman kardon sound system in my car was better than i expected

don't know much about their receivers but some of them are quite heavy and thats typically a good sign ( unless you're in pro audio ) ...

[philiparcario]

i use a hk pre 16 years old works very well.

[ktaillon]

newegg also sells HK, their prices are very good for a computer hardware sales company. The model AVR-247 is a steal for that price.

[framus]

I also like HK stuff. HK is one of the few companies that rate their products at a true power rating. So if it says 100 watts per channel you know you will be getting 100 watts per channel.

Doug

I've had to review the HT power rating specs for dozens of receiver brands in connection with duties at work, and HK is pretty much unique in using very conservative power specs with all channels running simultaneously. I'm not saying that's the only way that power should be quoted in this area, but it takes some guts to do it, because you end up with a much lower power rating that the competition. Dennis Murphy