I have carefully auditioned several different receivers from JVC 1024VBK, Sony STRDA30ES, Marantz SR880mkII, Denon 5600 DTS and finally the AVR 202. I have to say that the B&K has the best sound, however, I have been plagued with not one, but three bad units in a row ( I am now waiting for the fourth to arrive at the dealer so I can exchange it). The first one had a bad display that would randomly flash nonsense letters, even in sleep mode, second one - NO SOUND at all from any input analog, optical or coaxial, even the tuner would not work, and finally the third one has a bad display as well (different problem though, the red level indicators on right of display don't work anymore). Finally, the third unit, even though "new" and in a sealed box was definitely refurbished with some scratches and the older "hard" buttons on the front. I really like the 3 stereo, and stereo F/R modes and haven't found anything else that can come close. Maybe I am just having a very bad luck streak, I am going to give them one more chance before switching to another receiver. BTW I live 100 miles from the dealer and these trips are getting a little tedious. Has anyone else had these difficulties? I can only rate them a 2 because of the problems, the sound gets a 5.

The sound is really incredible

poor technical support, simply will not return e-mails!

I purchased a top of the line Denon and returned it the next day to buy the B&K. I thought the difference in price would make up for the inferior sound. I do wish for tone controls sometimes.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Denon

The B&K is probably the best reciever i've listened to to date. Sure there's better out there in separates, but for the money you can't touch it. I haven't had the "Hum" that people have talked about, but i will agree that the manual could be a little more in depth. Music- AWSOME. Movies- Awsome. The eviction notice should show up any day now! If you can, go and hear this unit for yourself- you will be blown away! And whole your there... take a look arround back- that's what you call future proof!

I recently decided to move into home theater and after looking at several options, including separates and receivers, I bought an AVR202. I have been extremely happy with it thus far. I felt that it was a good compromise between much-higher priced separates and run-of-the-mill Japanese receivers. My personal tastes run toward minimal bells and whistles and would rather have my money applied toward a simpler and better-sounding unit. Although it does not soundstage and reproduce bass with the definition and ease of my previous front-end(Aragon 4004II and 18k), the mids and highs are done quite well. I don't feel like I have compromised much in my move from 2 channel stereo into home theater with the purchase of this receiver. It definitely handles movies very well, especially with the automatic selection of surround sound processing(pro-logic, AC-3, DTS, etc). The soundstaging on 2 channel stereo is quite good also. The receiver does have an internal device that makes a faint whirring sound(I think it is an internal fan)that is sometimes noticeable when the movie or music is very soft. This is probably the only detraction I can find in an otherwise fine receiver.

I purchased this B&K receiver for home theater and returned it the next day. It has a very loud hum that was reproduced in all B&K amps. I expected much more for $2500. The preamp section is great, so I purchased the ref10 preamp and am searching for a good amp without all that hum.

I haqve listened to the AVR202 and love what I hear. Crisp sound and little difinative details I never heard before from other units. DVD's are just to much fun with this unit and for the price nothing in this price range can match it. Would have to pay almost twice as much to get the same kind of quality. But I own a 202 and am kinda biased. Try one out for yourself. You will like what you hear.

I recently purchased a B&K AVR 202 after much deliberation. Most of the reviews I have seen here lately have been very positive, but because of the earlier problems with this reciever, I was a little hesitant. After being assured the initial quality problems were over, I bought a 202. My initial reaction was amazement. This unit sounded better than any other receiver I had tried (including the Yamaha DSP-A1, and the Denon 5700), especially for music. The Denon was on par with the B&K for movies (either dd or dts), but the B&K blew the Dennon out of the water when it came to music. After a few days I started to notice the B&K would just change the surround selection at random, and several times at high volume levels, would lock up, and you could not turn down the sound. The unit would have to be powered down in order regain control. This is unacceptable in a receiver at this price. I have decided to go the seperates route with Rotel, Parasound, or maybe Proceed. The B&K is a great sounding unit. Too bad the little bugs in it still keep people away. Music sound: 5
Movie Sound: 4.5
Ergonomics: 3
Build Quality: 5 (Built like a tank)
Reliability: 3

great sound awsome dynamics details and soundstage

none

i finished making my scanspeak speakers[proac 2.5 clones] and the front two have the revelator tweeter that can be found in 20,000 dollar speakers.they run well below 4ohms and the 202 says bring it on and powers them like there load was nothing.these speakers would melt down a denon,yamaha or onkyo integra receiver at high volume levels .the sound is spectacular,details,low end punch,and soundstaging to kill for.this is the first and only 5 channel receiver that can do justice to high current demanding speakers like these.this unit is one of the earlier models and has had not one problem of any kind what so ever.highly recomended bargain.do not be afraid to upgrade your speakers with this jewel.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp1 denon 5700

awesome sound,loads of real power,more like good seperates sound quality

none so far

this is the best sounding receiver i have ever heard.it sounds better than the new denon or yamaha flagship receivers and even though i bought it used i would not feel cheated had i paid full price.i will now upgrade my paradigm monitors with an all scanspeak kit setup with revelator tweeters,as i am sure this receiver can do them justice.the 202 gets 5 stars for operation and 10 stars for sound quality

Similar Products Used:

harman kardon avr 80

Sounds Great

User Interface

A very different product with a focus in the right direction; sound quality. Use is 80/20 CD sourced music and DVD's. My only issue is the user interface. The simplicity notion has been taken, in my opinion, to an extreme. An extreme that fails.