I love the HK. I use the main preamp-out to drive a Carver TFM-35x. Since the rear-channel is only 20W per side, I jumpered the rear preamp-out to the main preamp-in on the HK to get 50W per side. One slight problem, it is not possible to change bands using the remote other than choosing a preset band and then tuning. Bought it for $625 Canadian in December '97.

The AVR20 was my first receiver purchase and I couldn't be happier with it. I compared it with models from Denon and Sony ES, but liked the elegance of the HK unit. My college dorm probably hates me b/c of the unit (plays amazingly crisp at high volumes), but I have nothing but praise. Mated with some Cambridge Soundwords bookshelves, and a Cambridge Sub, this system outperforms any in its price range.

I've been sitting here reading through all the reviews silently chuckling to myself, because I just picked up a refurbished AVR20-II for 179 bucks. My comments are in line with most everyone else's here. I'm not very experienced as far as audio gear is concerned, but i do know that this sounds a good deal better than my previous reciever, and i like the ergonomics of it, the whole thing is very elegant.

I've owned alot of receivers over the years, and the HK AVR-20II is the worst. I bought it for a bedroom system and I couldn't believe how bad it was. Hissy tuner, shrill & grainy on everything. I'm sorry, but it's the poorest sounding piece of home electronics I've ever heard.

As a 19 year old undergrad, my eyes have opened up to the world of yet another expensive passion: audio equipment. After realizing that my Aiwa minisystem (that EVERYBODY else had) wasn't enough, I decided to upgrade to a low-budget component system. The H/K was an easy choice. I've read reviews on this page about the receiver, and heard good things about H/K in general. I figured I wasn't ready for an integrated amp, so I went receiver shopping. After auditioning a few Pioneers, JVCs, and Sonys from my other friends rooms, I decided the H/K was worth the $299 from J+R Music World. I have been pleased with every option of the unit, save the FM reception. Even with countless adjustment to the antennae placement, I just can't seem to get a good signal on a few well known, strong regional stations. Oh well.
Matched with my NHT SuperOne Xu speakers, the sound is great. It's been a good complement to my Nakamichi DR-2 tape deck as well.
The most encouraging thing about the unit is that I can run it all day and all night. Of course, my first pair of KLHs were not up to this task, and they unfornately melted at one of my parties. The receiver is a good one though, capable of a beating from a young listener with a penchant for jam-band music.

I'd suggest it to anyone who's looking for their first receiver, as it has options for later upgrades and digital outputs.

I bought the hk avr 20 II versus similar models from yamaha/denon etc and I am extremely happy with its performance. I am just beginning to become an audio enthusiast but I know what I like and I certainly do the avr 20 II. This system provides all the thump that I need for my home.

The AVR 20 mk II is certainly good at two-channel stereo and acceptable for pro-logic use for videos; but I found it unacceptable in pro-logic mode for music-screechy, underpowered, dreck. However, I recently acquired a PA-5800 amp from H/K(85 watts a side for 5 channels @ 0.03 THD) which solved all that-now each speaker sounds as good as the two channel format of the AVR 20 Mk II. I would encourage any of you to take this step up, it's a world of difference and cheaper than a new AVR-85.

I just bought a refurbed unit a few weeks ago from onsale.com for under $200, and I am very happy with it thus far. Paired up with a crappy set of surround sound speakers (which I like because they are small), it actually kicks pretty good. Nothing seems to get distorted until I crank it up to eardrum-tearing levels. I have found the surround to be fine.
In fact, yesterday I put in some heavy-duty rock, and from my kitchen, I could have sworn a drummer was in my living room playing live with the music. I play the drums, so I have a pretty good sense of what they sound like live!

Fix the FM and I would have given it 5 stars.

The following is my opinion of the harmonkardon AVR20II: I have owned mine forabout 1 12 years now and I have had relatively little problems with it. It offers more than enough power to drive my Polks up front and although the surround sound specs appear to be weak (20 watts), my HK seems to drive my Atlantic Technology 254.1 surround adequately. I cannot say enough about the asthetics of the reciever. I have noticed that Harman has changed the face of the recievers recently and I have to say the AVR20II looks alot better. The only concerns that I have had with the reciever are the noise that it emits at lower listening levels and the volumn motor. Whenever by remote I adjust the volumn, I can hear a couple of clicks through my speakers at the onset of adjustment. However, this does not happen when I manually adjust the volumn. Therefor I believe the volumn motor is interfering in some way with the audio signal sent the the speakers. In conclusion, if all your looking for is a good quality pro-logic reciever that contains the ability to up-grade the HK AVR20II is great.

Picked up my AVR20 a year and half ago for $550 canadian. Nice amp with very good surround. Can bang out Aerosmith with clean highs and booming lows or meticuosly reproduce Mozart like he was in your living room. I am pushing a set of Paradigms for my modest home theatre system with Phantoms up front and a C-150 in the center and a pair of Atoms in the rear. If the AVR20 lacks it is in the rear surround channel. I am presently selling my AVR20 to upgrade to dolby digital so if there are any takers you can e-mail with a price or recommendationfor a new dolby digital receiver(I am swaying towards the AVR55 of course)