35 Amp Insantaneous Current really drives the bass. 50W to Left, Center & Right.

20 W to Rear Channel. Only one DSP mode, HALL

I have used this receiver for over three years now. My comments are all good except for the weak 20W rear channel and one DSP mode. The AM/FM radio has 30 presets which I have never been able to fill. The receiver does have pre-outs for all channels which is a plus for many although I did not run seperate amps for any channels. I consider this receiver an excellent starter kit for anyone building their first home theater. It will also fill in pretty good when hooked to a computer as a surround sound system. I ahd it hooked this way in my previous home and it was awesome. The "Microsft Sound" rocks with 35 Amps behind it. By the way the receiver is up for sale to help pay for my new PLII/DD/DTS receiver. If interested: grrams@mindspring.com

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This was my first HT Receiver.

The pre-amp line in/outs are what sold me on this unit

Having used mine for the past 18 months, I found the Pre-Amp line in/outs the best thing about this reciever. I run an Amp and an EQ for my fronts, another amp and an EQ for the rears, another Amp and EQ for the center, and I run my Powered Subwoofer through its own EQ. I have no speakers being directly fed by the HK unit at all.

This review is about the AVR 21 and not the AVR 20.
I think the 21 is the European version of the 20 but I'm not sure.

Anyway, the only thing I have to say about the AVR 21 is that I once owned a Harman Kardon 3250 Stereo Receiver
and it sounded LOT much better than this machine when playing stereo.

I bought my AVR-20 from Damark back in 96 for about $250. The money spent on that receiver was worth every penny. I went to Circuit City to listen to a various selection of receivers. When I came across the H/K, I knew immediately that I had to get one. The sound from it is so warm, clear, and realistic compared to the higher-powered JVC, Kenwoods, and Sony. Don't let the 60W of power fool you either. I've never had to crank it up past the 12:00 position. I am running a pair of crappy Bose 301s to it right now but looking to upgrade to something better. Like many people, I do have to agree the surrounds on this H/K is week but I guess I will deal with it. Excellent starting receiver for those not wanting to upgrade to Dolby Digital yet.

weak rear surround output

I bought this A/V receiver 6 years ago and was very happy with the quality, build, looks and sound from it. Pro-logic surround was good, except that the rear surrounds are a bit weak; but it's in regular stereo mode that it really shines, especially in the light of weak stereo output by the early digital A/V receivers. This receiver makes listening to your CD collection and watching analogue movies (pro-logic) a real joy. I recently bought a DVD player and, after auditioning a dolby digital receiver, I have to admit that the AVR20's (and pro-logic's) days are numbered and an upgrade is imminent.
Nevertheless, I am very happy with this unit and would highly recommend it, despite its age.

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pioneer, sony

I bought the HK AVR 20 in '96 from Circuit City (good prices, unqualified sales people). It had great sound, great construction, and was well worth the (I believe) $300-400 I paid for it. My speakers are Infinity Sterling Series 2003s and my CD source is the HK FL 8300.
I upgraded recently to the HK AVR 65 because of the DD decoding.

High quality sound, price, and ease-of-use.

None reported in 4 years of use.

I bought this receiver 4 years ago and have not once regretted buying it....at the time, I got a good deal by getting it factory serviced for $250 and consider it money well spent. This receiver packs plenty of punch (I have not cranked it past half-way) and delivers crips, clean sound even at high levels of input. I have not had any problems with it and would continue to use it until it finally breaks, but I am looking to upgrade to a dolby digital receiver. The remote is also easy to use and there aren't many confusing settings to worry about. If you are in the market for a used, excellent but inexpensive Dolby Pro Logic receiver, I would recommend looking at this one ( it is no longer manufactured).

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None.