Sound, style, inputs

no component video

I purchased this receiver off ebay with a buy now option. Along with this receiver I purchased the H/K DVD5 to match. (same buy now option 139.00)

Both products look and sound great. I had been in the market for a new receiver being that my Yamaha R-V901 went out only after a year of use. At this time I am using vintage Yamaha NS 690 speakers for surround and vintage JBL model L56 as front speakers. I have a Bose video 100 as the center channel and a small Sony sub (really not needed). The 310 drives the speakers much better than the Yamaha R-V901 ever did. All speakers have a rich full sound. The JBL's produce a very clean detailed image. Crisp highs and tight bass. The Yamahas have a lower bass than the JBLs and more mid's. I have played music and movies and found that the DTS, Dolby Digital or 5ch stereo modes sound best. I would recommend this receiver to anyone.

PS: I was in Meyer Emco the other day and listened to some 8,000 B&W main speakers, they sounded great but not much better that what I have. :)

Good Looks, Front Panel Display, Inputs and Outputs, Heavy Duty Binding Posts, Digital Mode Choices

Lack of AB Speaker Switch

I bought this unit to replace my outdated (3 years old) Teac AVR. I needed the 5.1 and AC3. This units primary function is to serve as Digital Home Theater Audio.

Clean Power! Is its best asset. The unit is hefty and well built. I had a problem within a week and took the cover off to find it. It turned out to be a piece of speaker wire copper strand that slipped through the vents and bridged across a couple resistors. Easy fix. (this was my mistake as I let some copper strands fly into the unit while I was cutting speaker wire). While the cover was off, it gave me an opportunity to examine the insides. The layout is simiular to the insides of a computer. There is a mother board and several independent boards for the different digital converters. This is a good sign as board replacement would be easier than componet level troubleshooting and repair. I noticed that the Heatsink is kind of cheap, but it does radiate the heat out very well. I figured I would see the standard aluminum extrusions not a baffle type heatsink. It would be a wise choice to not put this unit in an enclosed area, it needs to breathe.

2nd problem was SUB woofer would cause the amp to shut off. To fix this you must use the ez setup (speaker setup)to set the subwoofer(s). But then the manual indicates this. The manual is easy to read and follow. I did not have any problems with the remote.

Logic 7 is excellent and I find it better than the other effect choices. I use the 5 channel choice when listening to CD's.

When connecting your speakers and components, make the investment and purchase quality parts, you will notice a drastic difference in signal improvement. (partsexpress.com is where i bought all the wire, cable and connectors) I am extremely pleased with this amplifiers performance. I have an awesome system all purchased online at prices better than the brick n mortar retail outlets.

Keep in mind that the 310 is now replaced with the HK320 (it is the same unit with an additional channel.) So get this model at the closeout prices if you dont need the additonal channel.

Equipment in my Home Theater Setup Includes:

Harmon Kardon AVR310
Teac DVM5000
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 (digital cable converter)
(above units connected optically)
3M LCD Personal Projector (connected with gold s video)
(6) Warfedale 7.2 Diamond Anniversary Speakers (all bi wired)12 gauge oxygen free cable, gold banana plugs
(2) Merak MS12 Subwoofers (connected with coax and gold rca)
(2) AR PSC25 Center Channels (shielded coax gold connectors)

The above provides for an exceptional DVD Home Theater enjoyment.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Teac, Fisher, JVC, Sansui

Everything for the price paid! , Appearance

I got this Brand new ( not refurbished)unit from Ubid for $310 (Shipping included). What can be better than this?? For its price, this is the best. If I have more money I will go for H/K AVR8000......go for H/K , u will never go wrong.

Super clean sound. Ease of use. EZ setup for speakers.

None that I have found.

I wanted something to replace my old Pioneer vsx-4800, which I must say has served me very well with it's Dolby Pro Logic mode. I looked at Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, and Harman Kardon models, and while visiting Ebay one morning, I noticed this with a Buy It Now option from Returnbuy for $139.99, with a 5 star rating (the highest) on item appearance, functionality, and parts/manual.
I was amazed when it arrived. Even the box was in good condition. And the protective film was still on the front panel. Anyway, I changed all hookups from the Pioneer to the HK in no time. Unbelievable sound. And it looks great !!
I am still experimenting with the different modes, but I like them all. I have not programmed the remote to work the DVD, TV, etc., but will do that one day. The AVR-310 also includes a 2nd remote for multiroom connection, and may use that one day.
My only concern was that it was missing the FM antenna. Returnbuy sent me a credit to offset the price of a new antenna. Until I get one, it's hooked up thru my dish system and the radio sounds great. Even AM reception is very clear and crisp.
In conclusion, although I have had this for only 3 weeks, I must say that I might have received the buy of the century. I'm far from an audiophile, but it sounds better than I've heard at some movie theaters.

Equipment in use at this time and subject to upgrading:

Harman Kardon AVR-310 (I think this is a keeper)
JVC 36 inch TV/Monitor (s video connection)
Toshiba SD-1600 DVD (coax to receiver - s video to TV)
RCA CD player (RCA jacks to receiver - but still sound
great in different listening modes)
Magnavox 4 head HiFi VCR (RCA jacks - sounds great)
DB Dynamics center channel (from Ubid.com)
Klipsch quintets - fronts - (from Ubid.com)
Technics - rears (oak, old, small, and they sound great)
Dahlquist PDQ-800 sub (deep, powerful, and shakes
everything in the room -from bid.com)
12 guage speaker wire to all speakers - RCA jack to the sub.

This may not be the best setup, but it rocks my house.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

Stereo seperation, very accurate, Logic 7, looks

Remote

First off, I want to address the fact that I've put the remote in as a weakness. Yes, as many posts indicate, the remote isn't the best of remotes. It serves it's purpose for me and hey....it's only a remote. I plan on getting a 3rd party remote soon so it's not an issue anyway.

I am absolutely pleased with this unit. I listened to the Onkyo 696 and the Yamaha RX-V1000 as well as the HK. I A/B/C'd them at the local A/V store, paying only attention to the sound as I had done TONS of research beforehand.

In my opinoin the HK's stereo seperation was superior to the Yamaha and Onkyo. Not only that but the accuracy seemed a bit better as well. Not as noticable as the stereo seperation but it was evident.

I'd like to give a little background on myself to give some validity to my review.

I am an engineer/project manager for a company in Madison, WI that designs and installs sound systems for churches, auditoriums, gymnasiums, bars, etc. One of the main goals considered in sound system design is to accurately reproduce the source (vocal, CD, instrument, etc.). To do this you need to use equipment that creates the least amount of effect on the signal being input, as it relates to the audio signal at the output stage. This includes microphones, pre-amplifiers, mixers, amplifiers, and loudspeakers. I have listened to many, many peices of equipment in the last 13 years and and this is the main ingredient, this is what I address first when deciding if a piece of equipment is suitable for our company to include in any of our designs. As for music and movies, most of this has already been taken care of for you. In the recording stage they use very high quality microphones and mic pre-amplifiers. They use (mostly digital) accurate recording devices. When a movie or album is recordered onto tape or in digital format onto a hardrive, it is then sent to be "mixed-down". Essentially this process involves adjusting levels and equalization of each source (multiple microphones, etc.) and recording the result as the final product. To ensure that they are producing a quality product, they use highly accurate studio monitors (loudspeakers) and amplifiers. This way they can listen to their work and get a very accurate reproduction of what they have produced. Now, if we take that product, and use inaccurate equipment to reproduce it in our homes, we'll get inaccurate results. The sound may be distorted, discolored, or full of unwanted noise. This is why it's important to have an accurate amplifier and loudspeakers in your home....to give as close to the same net result as the producer heard in the studio.

This being said, I have to reiterate how well I think the HK does this.

At first I thought I wanted an amplifer with Pro-Logic II decoding on it, but after hearing the HK I didn't think it was the logical choice being that Pro-Logic would only come into play with movies that I watch from my VCR or right off of the TV. And besides, HK has Logic 7 which I believe is their own design, that enhances prologic (and non-prologic) encoded material. I'm extremely happy with this feature. It adds alot of life to some of those old movies that I have on VHS.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Yamaha

Tremendous amount of inputs/outputs. Digital coaxial out!! Very easy to use and hook up. Very clear sound. No static AT ALL when I turn the volume up all the way.

Unlike most people, I don't find that the remote control is that bad. It works just fine for what I want it to do. But still, it is the weakest part of the system.

See above strengths and weaknesses.

I "was" going to get the 210, but soundpros was all out, so I figured 'what the heck', and got the 310. Consider saving yourself a few bucks and get the 210 instead. (only 10 less watts per channel, but that should still be plenty! other than that, features/specs are very much similar)

I'm a college student living in a dorm room, and I can easily outblast my entire floor combined - and with a very clean sound. Don't let the power rating fool you.

Like I said...don't be afraid to drop to the 210.

It already has the Dolby Digital(AC-3)Decoder built into it so you will save money on a DVD player. This receiver also has DTS Digital Decoder as well as Crystal Circuit DSP Processing. If you choose to hook up an MP3 Player to your Receiver it has MP3 Decoding though your Digital inputs. When you want to listen to your music through all 5 speakers your will get equal power to each of them.

Very even sound, Easy to set up, Excellent display, Nice look (goes with my HK DVD5, Digital input can be assigned to any video input.

Remote is a little strange and not very intuitive. No protection indicator for lost channel.

I looked high and low for a receiver that didn't try to overpower me and still had S-Video and Digital-Optical inputs. I use a set of Bose Acoustimass 15 speakers and didn't need any power to drive the SUB and the satellites are very efficient. This receiver fit my bill exactly and because I purchased it for a very reasonable price from U-Bid if it didn’t work out I wasn’t out too much. I was exceptionally pleased when I hooked up this receiver to replace my 1998 model Kenwood (I had grown to hate nearly everything about this receiver). I was instantly pleased with the smooth clear sound from both DVDs and CDs and it even produces a good DTS approximation from my DSS. I had grown disenchanted with most of my CDs and had not just sat and listened to music for a long time. I was so surprised when the music just came alive and I found my self actually closing my eyes and not wanting get up do something while listening. After a week or so I went about the not insignificant project of hooking up the Optical-Digital inputs from my HK DVD-5 and Sony Playstation 2, and S-Video connections from those units as well as the Direct Satellite. When I was done I had to say WOW!!!! So crisp and clean, every one that came over would just sit with mouth agape. PS2 gives the feeling that you are IN the action and gives a whole new dimension to the games. DVDs give true digital sound and allows near movie theater quality DTS surround without the annoying people sitting behind you talking during the movie. I especially like the ability to adjust the sub X-over with the On Screen display and change to some very well designed preset effects for Non-DTS inputs. Overall I am so pleased with this setup I can't tell you what a difference it makes with movies and especially the PS2 games. On some of the other reviews here and there comments about reliability and sound made me wonder and a little cautious, but now I just wonder if it was there setup or if they just had a bad unit. Most of my friends (also engineers, and many with 20-30 years of audio and sound experience) that listen to this setup go away impressed. My next project is to see if I can find a DSS receiver with a Digital Optical output. The only thing that I can say that I am disappointed about (besides the remote witch I don't use) is that for now there doesn’t seem to be anything else that I can play with to improve this setup without spending 4 or 5K $.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood, Marantz, Pioneer

got a great deal on a refurbished HK AVR 310 from ubid.com. hooked up the system and it was working pretty good for a couple of days. After which it started to discharge a staticy noise from the center channel (only in surround modes). I narrowed it down to the receiver, and to my amazement, HK offers a 2 years warranty on all refurbished products! I gave it over to a HK authorized repair shop and it has been 5 weeks. I wonder if they will hold on to it until the warranty ends before i get it back... i'll keep you posted

Audiofile quality amp at affordable price, outstanding DAC for all availiable formats, excelent HK coustomer service

Remote

Will keep short and sweet, verry acurate previous reviews. Availiable amience efects such as: Hall, Cinemma and other music efects are really outstanding as compared to the cheap unlistenable genericly simulated efects on my older recievers. Super clean reproduction at any level. Only complaint is having to cycle through severall soundfields to get to the one I want. HK coustomer service was very helpfull in resolving remote problem.

Similar Products Used:

Technics, Sony, Onkyo