Something you should be aware about is that the digital output of any DVD player by standard cannot pass 96/24 in the pcm mode...the maximum it will pass digitally in the pcm mode is 48/16...so if you want to get 96/24 off a stereo DVD you will need to use the analog outputs of your DVD player and set it up to do so...than use the stero direct mode of the B&K to bypass the internal 20bit DACs and you will get 96/24 the way you want it...That to is assuming your 96/24DAC S in your DVD are as good as the 20bit DACs in the B&K....some are not and only listening will tell you so....I have my B&K for 4 Mos and have no problems just praise for the unit....

Im in the market for a new HT setup and set out looking at some DD/DTS recievers, my search lead me to my local Yamaha dealer, Ive owned a few(4) Yamaha components in the last few years and Ive always enjoyed their sound quality, however their build quality is in need of help. Of the 4 pieces Ive owned, 2 went out under warranty and 2 went out not under warranty, and their cus service/tech support is the worst next to Toshiba. Well anyway, My local Yamaha dealer is also the B&K dealer so I was able to see the AVR 202. He let me bring these pieces home for a 3 day trial, so with my New Platinum audio loudspeakers and new Sony dvd player I rented a few DVD's and set out for a fun weekend. Im also a big audio buff so I got out my favorite cd's and started listening, The audio of the B&K was pure joy, very fast accurate bass, smooth detailed highs and pure liquid on the mids it was the best thing Ive ever heard in my home. The Yamaha was nice but a bit harsh and the bass was not as well managed it wasnt has fast or as accurate as the B&K, so the B&K easily won the audio test, it wasnt even close. So now I decided to move to home theater, I pulled out my Tomorrow Never Dies dvd and the B&K again was awesome, it had power for days and the Platinum audio speakers are very inefficient, 84db on the mains, 86db on the center and rears but the amp just kept on going and contrary to what Ive read here it didnt get very hot, sure it was warm but I was driving the crap out of it. I then watched 12 Monkees in DTS(I love DTS) and again it was amazingly powerful for a reciever. Well now it was time for the Yamaha, so I swapped out the recievers and put the Tomorrow Never Dies DVD again and sat back and tried the different enhanced modes but they didnt really help much so I settled for the straight DD mode and sat back and it sounded good but again the low end was weak and the top end was harsh, and the amp was starting to get pretty hot, I then moved on to the 12 Monkees DTS DVD and during one of the early scenes the amp started to clip and I thought one of my tweeters was gonna go but before I could react the amp shut down, over heated. I was amazed, but it didnt really surprise me, my experince with Yamaha has been bad and this piece isnt any better, after cooling down for several hours it powered back up but it just couldnt keep up with the B&K and they were both gonna set me back about $2200 with full factory warranty - Yamaha = 2 years and B&K = 5 plus my rep told me that if the A B&K failed within the 5th year they would extend the warranty to one year from the date of repair, very cool, Yamaha wont do that they couldnt afford to! I then decided I should give the Denon5700 a run since its gotten pretty good reviews, I got the B&K for another 3 days and the Denon (from a different shop) and did the same test and the Denon had a nicer sound than Yamaha but still isnt up to par with the B&K and the theater modes where pretty close, for theater the Denon was right there with the B&K but for audio the B&K was the clear winner. Im currently still shopping, Im considering seperates but I havent found anything for under 4k that beats the B&k reciever for $2200. My local dealer for B&k Havent had any failures on the 202. He said he had heard rumors but he hasnt replaced any and hes carried B&K for years, hes also an old college roomate so I know he isnt lieing. Yamaha gets 1 star for the ppor build quality, B&K gets 5 strs for being one of the best buys in HT and the Denon gets 3.5 for its nice build quality and its great theater sound.

I have now had my B&K Receiver for about 5 mos. NO problems at all..The unit is solid and the Power it has is awsome..It has almost ever option input and out put you could ask for...the sound is great and movies can be very viceral..Music if wonderful too..When listening to DVD stereo 96/24 disks be sure to choose the stereo direct choice under the surround mode options...This way you wont be trunkating the 96/24 decoder from your DVD player to the excellent but 20 bit decoders in the B&K. the Stereo direct is a great option, not found on a lot of units...I love this unit..no problems and the heat issue is in effect a non issue.

I overcame my initial reluctance and purchased the B&K AVR 202 about two months ago. After reviewing this review board, I had reservations on the B&K's quality and problems relating to defective units and high heat levels. But my experience tells me my reservations were unfounded.
The B&K sounds great! I played rock, swing, instrumental and jazz, and all came through with a high degree of musicality. My unit's serial number is in the 57xxx range so I did not experience any quality or defect problems. There is a higher heat output than I would like, but only time will tell if that will create problems.

In sum, I am very satisfied with the B&K and would highly recommend it.

My system includes Linn Keildah speakers, and a Linn center channel connected with Transparent MusicWave cables. The monitor, DBS and VCR use Tributaries interconnects (S-video). Have fiber optic cable for the CD.

So far so good!

amazing surround sound reproduction(any mode dd/dts/dpl)

no component video aplications

i couldn't be happier with my b&k it simply can't be beat on movies without going to good seperates.the center channel/voice reproduction is very clear and intelligible as is the seperation channel to channel without bleed in.the remote is one of the best i've incounterd and has alot of programing possibilities. alot of the older models had problems with a hum that could be heard even at low level listening but the newer models are fixed of this problem (at least mine has zero hum)these units do run hot though as all good amplifiers do just put in a good ventilated cabinet or use a small fan. short of the new marantz receiver if you want better you will need to go to good seperates(proceed ect.)

Similar Products Used:

looked extensivly at denon & rotel (neither came close on movies)

I needed to upgrade from pro-logic to Dolby digital. I listen to music and love home theater via DVD, digital tape, and sat. I considered Onkyo and even orederd their top reciever, but sent it back. It did not enough digital inputs. I won't get into what I did not like about Denon, H&K, etc. I went with the B&K because it had a very good reputation. I was thrilled to see an American-made reciever! The 202 had all the digital connects I wanted. It had plenty of power. It looked very stylish. It is based on a simple, clean philosophy of use. It had DTS. I visited a local dealer who had an old 202 in stock. It had a noisy fan and made a humming sound when nothing was playing. I read that newer models were improved, so I mail-ordered a new 202. It had no fan and plenty of cooling slots. Set-up was as simple as it gets. It runs flawlessly. Sound via my Acoustic Research towers, center, and sub, plus Polk FXers is as good as my ears can recognize.Music is good as is movies. The unit never locks up or gets confused. Base mgt is very good. Plenty of speaker adjustments (delay, size, etc) via the set-up menu. There is no goofy DSPs. I've had my fill of those. I've found that I don't need them with this reciever.
The B&K tech support is very good. I run a tech support lab and know when I'm being fed BS from someone who knows nothing. The B&K guys know and love their products. That is very important when you need help.

The 202 has no inputs for an external whatever. I am not worried about the next 6.1, 7.1, or 10.0 THX system(it has been talked about). I did want DTS, even just to say that I heard it for myself. I have run DTS dvds and I like the subtle improvements. If I need to upgrade, I am sure B&K will do it in the most professional manner. I am satisfied with my purchase ($2,300.00). I wanted one of the best recievers to drive my system. I really think I achieved my goal.

Does anyone know where I can find a great price on this receiver and still maintain factorty warranty? Please email me at rwalsh@umich.edu Thanks

I have owned the AVR202 for 3 months. I am extremley pleased with this piece. The American build quality and gadget free yet elegant front panel
controls stand out. Sound quality, Home Theater and Musical is superb for
an integrated device. Try Steely Dans "Gaucho" in DTS, incredible. Video switching is flawless. More source inputs and outputs then you should ever
need. Outstanding remote. I can not say enough about this receiver.
Things that could be better: No switched AC receptacles
24/96khz DAC's for future software
although the AVR202 is upgradeable
and no RE/EQ circuit.

too many to list. Clean power. SOunds great. UPGRADABLE and american made! Easy to use. DD & DTS........and on nd on

Not gorgeous to look at.....but whats inside is what mattered to me.

I was looking into the top of the line receivers----seperates just werent in my price range--- at least none that had the options i wanted. The dsp A! by Yamaha was eliminated immediately. You pay for DSP modes you will never use. Trust me. Junk this one.
It ultimately was DENON 5700 vs B&K AVR 202.
I thought the B&K sounded better. The power was rated at 105 wats/channel vs. the denon's 140/channel. I will tell you right now, the B&K cranks more than the denon does. People like the denon 5 channel stero option----B&K has a 4 channel option, but if i want to really let my speakers rip---i wouldnt let my center and rears get as much power as my mains anyway. Call me crazy. The B&K was upgradeable at factory cost for whatever direct the industry goes. I liked that more than one added input for what may come out (denon's answer). More verstaile of an option i feel. Its soooo easy to use and I have zero complaints. I have it powering DYNAUDIO Audience 70's, 50's, center, and 30A sub---and it makes em dance.
IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN---ID STILL GO B&K

Similar Products Used:

denon 5700

Great Sound

None

I got a great deal on an even better reciever. There is no way to tell you how great this reciever is. I had a Yamaha and thought that reciever was excellent - well I was wrong. The music and DVD's sound so much better, more detail---- Awesome!!!

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Yamaha 2095