the hk 40 is very very good in its price range, but just try listening to theNad 711 or the Nakamichi av3s. I own a hk 40 but after borrowing my friend's
Nad 712 receiver(stereo only, 399) which is rated at 25 watts, but since a very
good build, it cranks out almost as much power as the hk 40, and sounds less
flat and much more dynamic than the hk 40. I helped my friend buy his receiver,
judging between the Nad av 711(399), and the Nad 712, they sound the same,
except you get a little more noise from the av 711. Most people looking for a
budget system do not look at either the nad or the nakamichi because they are found in the audiophile stores that carry better stuff like Mcintosh, Rotel, Lexicon, etc. These two are definitely a step up from the HK although the Hk does sound awfully clean, is because they have much better dynamics, the unstable power supply of the HK cannot support peaks of power although it is high current. with a tuner covered with the name Nad you cant go wrong
the nakamichi sounds very good, very clean and dynamic. Get B&W with the relaxed sound of the 600 series youll be living in heaven.

When I moved to Seattle, first I bought a Marantz receiver on a garage sale. Then I spent two months looking for a pair of speakers. Finally I bouught Boston Acoustics VR950. Then I discovered that Marantz didn't have both chanells working.Frustrated I went to the Future shop, determined to cut my shoping time for receiver as much as possible. So after quick look around I picked up this one.
Then after few days I bougth Yamaha CD player.
I am very happy with this combination. I think it sounds great. Best of all, I no need to go to Hi-Fi stores for a long, long time.

Ok... I admit I'm not an audiophile, but I do love my music. I did the resarch and I went to various stores, and I can tell you that the Harmon Kardon AVR40 is the best I heard for the price. I have it connected to an Onkyo DXC 540 and it's FABULOUS. Some say both are too bright, but when I play with the bass and treble knobs, I could get what I needed from it. I have a VERY old pair of Sansui's (SP 3700 A's) which were given to me and I don't know much about, but they sure sound good. They hold 8ohm's, so they kick. Probably need cleaned, but I can't tell.
Folks, if you need a receiver, you can't beat this receiver from WHOLESALE WAREHOUSE, it's $249, at least when *I* bought it. Call them... it's worth the time, beleive me. The price sometimes is cheaper than what they say on the 'net.

I've heard this receiver was being discontinued by HK, but it still kicks ass.

Find it in the bargain bin... you won't be disappointed.

Sure, it can't do the tone/bass thing from the remote, but how many times do you need to change it?

To me, a novice, my current system sounds better than my old Aiwa one unit 3 CD changer that had the radio and 2 tape players in one unit. I spent $500 on it, and less than that to get the Onkyo and the Harmon Kardon AVR40 together from Wholesale Warehouse.

No, I don't work there, but they are competent, and were able to get me my two compnenets in two days. How can you beat that?

If you have $500 in your pocket, get the HK and the Onkyo... you will have some money left over for Monster cables and good connectors to get that killer sound.

Enjoy...

Just built my first real stereo on a budget around the AVR 40 Reciever. It has excellent build quality, very solid, good styling, not too many bells and whistles. Unique remote that is very comfortable in the hand. Does not allow for base and treble adjustments via remote, nor access to tuner presets (unless I just haven't figured out how). Sound quality is excellent. Can easily play loud, turned up half way shakes the room on Klipsch Legends 20's. (they are more efficient than most). I have not used it for Video, can't comment on surround capabilities. IMHO, makes a great stereo reciever, outstanding sound, can be had mail order for $300. Would be perfect except remote limitations.

I picked up this receiver from Circuit City for $249 and matched it with 4 discontinued Optimus X77's ($45/each), an Optimus CS5 Center Channel ($119) and an Optimus SW 120 subwoofer ($69). I think its an incredible budget system, especially for anyone with a relatively small listening space. Even though the speakers are relatively inefficient, this receiver has ample power to fill my 15 x 18 family room to uncomfortable levels while retaining a clear and distortion free sound. I did find it necessary to plug the bass ports on the X77's, which have a very poor bass response and were muddying up the sound, but this is rectified by the passive subwoofer. I would give the AVR 40 a 5 star rating at this price level.

this receiver is awesome. very clean and detailed. very basic. no bells and whistles, just great sound that beats out all others in its price range. I picked it up after reading all the great reviews on this site. i give it 4 1/2 speakers because the remote is cheap and the volume knob is cheap. awesome receiver for the beginner audiophile like me. soon to be paired with a cambridge audio cd player and a pair of jaguar speakers (hopefully, when and if i ever get money) highly recommended

I purchased this reciever after I auditioned the Sony 325, and Denon Avr-1100 in my home for a couple of weeks. I use it with PSB 300i speakers. The HK is so much better than these other recievers. The sound, power, and build quality is outstanding. The only thing I didn't like is the remote. The guy at circuit city ordered me the remote to the AVR-65, which is universal, and backlit. It will operate the AVR-40. He is getting me this remote FREE OF CHARGE! You can also order one through HK but you will have to pay for it. For $299 I got the deal of the century.

Why is everybody raving about this product? It sounds way, WAY too bright. I also noticed midrange grain. I dont get it. Stupid remote control too. My 2 channel 950 AX ROTEL receiver blows this one out. However, for the sake of honesty, I have to agree that the built quality of the AVR 40 is very good, the receiver is very quiet(much better than the hissing SONYs) and the amplification is exepcional for the price. It can really handle action movies better than receivers costing much more. But the brightness and the grain is really unpleasant to listen to.

Just purchased this on close out for 299. I had been driving my Sound Dynamics speakers with an NAD 304 integrated amp, but I knew something was missing. To my surprise, there is no comparison with the NAD when I play my CDs. This sounds so much more musical, cleaner with better imaging and good dynamics. Very easy to listen to. For the price, it's a steal.

Bought this unit about 2 weeks ago. I haven't had chance to use it to listen any CDs, but had played variety of FM receptions and movie. First thing I noticed about the receiver was the solid construction and elegant finish. I was disappointed by spring clip connection for rear speakers and lack of "small L/R speaker" choice that would have directed low frequency signals away from the satellites and to the sub in my Take 5 package. I don't have any problem with the remote, as I'm right handed. As for the performance, the prologic is little quite. I can play loud, but not loud enough for my taste even during the movie. I'm not sure this is maily due to 88db sensitivity of the speakers or 55 watts of the receiver, or both. I'm also having a problem with sub. Once in a while it makes never ending flat distorted bass note, like when a ballast in the light is about to go out. It disappears when I disconnect it from the receiver, so it's not the amp of the sub, but something from the receiver. If somebody know about this problem let me know. Overall, a good receiver for the money.