Harman Kardon AVR520 Audio/Video Receiver

Harman Kardon AVR520 Audio/Video Receiver

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
The AVR 520 is Harman Kardon's midlevel entry into the 7.1-channel surround-sound processing. Featuring support for Dolby Digital, DTS, Logic 7, and VMAx digital sound processing, the AVR 520 caters to nearly any audio taste.

Pumping 75 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the AVR 520 will give you strong sound with less than 0.07 percent harmonic distortion, even with all channels being driven simultaneously. Eight-channel direct inputs are provided for digital sound processing upgrades down the road.

Loaded with advanced features, the AVR 520 includes DTS-ES 6.1 surround sound, wideband HDTV-ready component video switching, and 24-bit/192kHz audio digital-to-analog converter. Connection options are extensive with 7.1-channel preamp outputs, six digital inputs, and three digital outputs, plus a front-panel A/V and Coax inputs that can be switched to output mode.

Support for Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound is included to create surround-sound effects from a stereo input such as VCR or TV.

Additional features include multiroom/multisource audio, which allows users in separate rooms to listen to different sources simultaneously. A separate Zone II Remote Control is included for multiroom operation. Power-up volume can be programmed to avoid that jarring sensation of powering up your stereo with the volume at max from the night before, and rotary controls let you adjust bass, treble, and balance settings.

A universal backlit remote is programmable to control up to eight devices from preset codes or by using its learning capability.

Product Description:
The AVR 520 is a 7.1- channel audio/video receiver. It's extremely powerful, with a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier design. It's supremely capable, with Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II, three DTS modes and HDCD decoding, as well as four modes of Logic 7 and two modes of VMAx virtual surround sound processing, and MP3 playback from compatible computer-based audio sources. It's elegantly intuitive, with on-screen menus, fully color-coded rear-panel connections, and the exclusive EzSet remote, which automatically sets the system's output levels, as well as offering programmable or learning control of up to eight system components. And it's ingeniously versatile, with HDTV-ready component video switching and multi-room/multi-source audio capability. The AVR 520 provides superior performance for serious digital entertainment at home.

Harman Kardon AVR520 Audio/Video Receiver
Average customer rating:

Great unit

Awesome sound - would buy another

5.1 never sounded better

Excellent amp......sort of!!

I trusted the name

Harman Kardon AVR520 Audio/Video Receiver

Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

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Product Features:

High Current amplifier design

S-Video inputs and outputs

EzSet remote

Multi- zone audio switching

HDCD

ASIN: B00005Q5X0

Product Description

The AVR 520 is a 7.1- channel audio/video receiver. It's extremely powerful, with a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier design. It's supremely capable, with Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II, three DTS modes and HDCD decoding, as well as four modes of Logic 7 and two modes of VMAx virtual surround sound processing, and MP3 playback from compatible computer-based audio sources. It's elegantly intuitive, with on-screen menus, fully color-coded rear-panel connections, and the exclusive EzSet remote, which automatically sets the system's output levels, as well as offering programmable or learning control of up to eight system components. And it's ingeniously versatile, with HDTV-ready component video switching and multi-room/multi-source audio capability. The AVR 520 provides superior performance for serious digital entertainment at home.

Amazon.com Product Description

The AVR 520 is Harman Kardon's midlevel entry into the 7.1-channel surround-sound processing. Featuring support for Dolby Digital, DTS, Logic 7, and VMAx digital sound processing, the AVR 520 caters to nearly any audio taste.

Support for Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound is included to create surround-sound effects from a stereo input such as VCR or TV.

A universal backlit remote is programmable to control up to eight devices from preset codes or by using its learning capability.

Customer Reviews:

Great unit.......2003-02-20

I get the feeling that the reviewers that had difficulty with this receiver were either not reading and following the manual or really just did not understand what they were doing. I've had the machine for just over 2 months, and it performs great. The sound is fantastic, and it can handle anything I want to run through it, including my DVD, CD, Tape, 2 VCR's, and TV, and I still have room to hook up additional components if I can think of any. It supports 5.1, 7.1, dolby digital, and all the simpler formats, has plenty of optical, s-video, and component hookups to run everything at higher levels. The remote has little difficulty running my complete mutt of a system (toshiba, techniques, HK, JVC, Onkyo, and Hitachi). I think it's a bit spendy at anything close to full price, but I can't say it isn't worth the money. Overall a great machine.

Awesome sound - would buy another.......2003-01-06

Don't be fooled here by reviewers that don't read the manual! This is an AWESOME amp! Using with JBL studio front, center and powered subwoofer, Audiosource 100 watt in-wall speakers. This amp powers them all with ease. I can't turn the amp volume all the way up, it's so loud, it hurts! Dolby 5.1 and DTS are immersive. Sure, the manual won't win a pulitzer, but it does the job. Common sense is also a must (lacking by some quick-to-complain reviewers here). Unit runs a bit hot, make sure you have sufficient ventilation. FM tuner may need an additional FM antenna, get the best one you can (Terk hi-end). Plenty of inputs to mix and match, which you can assign. A fourth input on front w/S-video, optical, etc. Have a Sony DVD 5.1/DTS player, mid-range stereo VCR, DD satellite receiver and older LD player. No problem with ANY of these and the HK. You may want to pick up analog to S-video converters so you won't have to change the input on your TV. Get the converters from RADIO SHACK ($...) - NOT THE MONSTER VERSION ($...), RS is obviously much cheaper. This makes all your inputs from RCA jacks S-video. Also - USE GOOD CABLES! Monster, Acoustical Research and some others. Not Radio Shack cables. Also use good speaker wire like Monster. YES - IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! If you get a hum, you may need to plug the HK into it's own surge protector, check the manual. I like the remote, has a digital meter with speaker built-in to adjust your speakers! I have a large media room with 60" TV and this receiver delivers. Tested with MP3's, CD-R/W, VCD, movies like "Matrix"(the bullets whizz by!), "Gladiator", "Blade 2", "Saving Private Ryan", "Attack of the Clones" and others. Classy front looks great! This guy is heavy too, make sure you have a good cabinet to put it in.

5.1 never sounded better.......2002-09-25

For a semi-serious home theater enthusiast I have been extremely pleased with the AVR520. I switched to this reciever from an old Pioneer Elite VSX-97 and seriously consided another Pioneer Elite, Denon and Integra AVR's but found the sonic clarity unsurpassed by any of the other models. The receiver was easy to setup at the GUI was fairly easy to navigate. DVD's and CD's played on my Pioneer Elite DV F-07 DVD/CD Player have never looked or sounded better. The surround performance with this reciever is simply amazing. The Multi-room capability and the optional MP3 translator (allows MP3 playback from your computer through your reciever) are great additonal features.

Excellent amp......sort of!!.......2002-05-03

I was thrilled by the performance of my 520 when I first got it. I was powering some relatively efficient energy eXL 26 towers and they sounded great. However, I recently upgraded to the Veritas 2.4 from Energy and the 520 doesn't even come close to providing enough power for these speakers. At moderate listening levels the bass is almost nonexistent. If you really turn up the volume, the bass does emerge somewhat but who wants to crank their music just to hear a balanced sound? I plan to upgrade to a very serious power amp. Bryston 14B ST. with 500 watts per channel. My Veritas speakers should really sing. One positive thing about the 520 is that it does a masterfull job with 5.1 surround. Movies sound awesome with this reciever. If you have high end speakers you will be disappointed with the two channel performance of the HK avr 520. Good Luck!

I trusted the name.......2002-03-14

I don't like this amp at all, there are so many quirks. If you want to isolate the narrative audio during a movie and pump up the center speaker so not to wake your neighbors, you'll find that even with the DTS light on, all the tracks will become louder via the center speaker. Something I've noticed in more than one HK amp. If want to control the bass, turning the bass knob up or down on the front of your amp does absolutely nothing. Adjusting the bass requires you to go into menu and select LFE (subwoofer) and change it that way. I got excited when I read about the "delay" function, giving my music reverb would be cool. But alas, it doesn't come on when I hit the "delay" button. I was able to adjust it the first time I pressed it and not again since, according to the manual it should be working. There is undoubtedly a way, but who has the time. The "night" function is pretty neat too so I've read. You press "night" on your remote, and your woofer automatically filters out the really low bass. I got that to work many times before it changed for no reason. There are dozens of irritations and headaches, I call them alot and they are helpful, but I still hate their amps. I think there are much better ones out there ... .

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