Crisp highs, plenty of bass, can drive difficult speaker loads, short circuit protection, good tuner reception

Left and right channels not balance at low volume.
Big incremental movement of volume knob when using remote
Not as dynamic for music compared to separates.

Built quality and looks are superb. This piece of equipment is good only in 2 or 3 channel stereo. In Dolby Pro-Logic mode it seems to be quieter than other receivers. Music in stereo is awesome. The tone is warm but the dynamics a little bit lacking compared if using Cambridge Audio power amp. The pre-out is pretty useful if you want to use external amps as in my case hare. The subwoofer-out is actually a full range signal that you can use as a 2nd pre-out. With the external amp, you can have 4 or 5 independent channels depending on the setup on the h/k. The receiver rarely heats up and the current supply is more than adequate. I just wish there had been a tone by-pass button as I found sometimes the bass can get out of control. The 'contour' button works to the extreme - the sounds become flat if you dont use it but too much bass if you use it. Overall I give the h/k 5 star because of its value and usability.

Similar Products Used:

NAD, Nakamichi AV8

I decided to purchase this thing after I concluded to hold off on buying the AVR75 until I can really afford it. I am a very picky buyer and I spend a lot of time researching what I am going to buy. I picked out a price range $300-$$370 and went shopping. Although I wanted Dolby Digital I figured I better buy a good receiver but I couldn't afford one at the time so I decided to just go with a Dolby Pro Logic receiver. I got a steal at Circuit City the AVR40 was $249. It is smooth, a little bright (but I like that), and the machine is pretty good looking. You won't be sorry if you buy this one. Especially if you just want something to hold you over until you can afford a really good Dolby Digital receiver. Oh yeah, the remote kind of sucks but it doesn't hamper the performance.

Great sound, handsome,

Remote Control & its volume increments (too big at low volume), speaker connectors are a pain (w/out monster plugs), Reliability!!

It is unfornate that my unit had to break itself after a year. It's still covered by warranty, but I'm having a little trouble finding my proof of purchase...ack! might have to pay full price for repairs. After a year of perfect and excellent performance, the left channel is fading. Right now I have the balance at 90 defrees into emphasizing left to give a weakened, but balanced sound. Also, when it first starts up, it makes a hiss in the left for about a second now. Refurbished products are catching up to me right now - the money I saved is being sucked out of the wallet.

My first "real" component system:

Harman Kardon AVR 40 (stereo mode of course)
Boston Acoustics CR9s
Radio SHACK!!! wires (16gauge)
Fisher "Studio Standard" ancient CD player (AD-815)

I'm still in love with this one, and it will be worth the repairs. I think we'll stay together even through the hardships. 4 is my overall rating because it cannot be rated at "3 Stars - Average product" & the value so far (before repairs) is a "Bargain".

Similar Products Used:

Nakamichi Receiver 1, JVC worst model, Kenwood

I was in the process of buying the HK AVR75 at Onecall for $590because I thought it was a steal, which it is. But I had to
reconsider because I realized I would be moving a lot and
really didn't need an awesome receiver until some time later
when I can really afford/appreciate a good system. Anyway, so
I figured I would downscale for now and build up later. I
went to Circuit City (because HK 40 is discontinued and Onecall
didn't have them anymore) and bought it for $299. This thing
is really amazing. I love good quality sound, and eventhough
it isn't the top of the line, it sure is better than your
average AIWA/SONY/KENWOOD mini shelf system. I paired it with
JBL HLS 810s and this system really pumps it out, clean clear
sound, except I found the HLS's to be a little bright on some
playback. I figured for the price you can't beat this
receiver, and the sound quality is better than a Sony 825 that
has 100x5 watts. the HK 40 has discrete circuitry and also
has high current so those 65/watts in stereo will beat the
Sony/Kenwood/Yamaha anyday. If they're not already gone at
Circuit City, get out there and buy one, I promise you won't
be disappointed!

I went to Circuit City to purchase a Technics receiver, but the salesman (who owns the H/K AVR40) & the store manager were both pushing the H/K. I refused to buy until I checked the reviews here. After such postive feedback, I purchased this receiver the next day, along with a pair of JBL HLS810's & the HLS Center. I was completely impressed with the elegant look & style of the reciever, but my ears just were not pleased. Over the next 3 weeks I purchased & returned 2 other receivers (I held on to the H/K while I experimented). What I learned was that the problem was not with the AVR40, but with the speakers. After a few days of shopping around, I returned the JLB's & stepped up to a pair of Definitive BP8B's. It was a match made in Heaven! This receiver produces a smooth clean sound, and more than enough effortless power. Pro-logic, although quieter than other modes is impressive. But when listening to CD's this baby makes it hard to wipe the smile off my face! Grab this reciever while you still can - you will not be sorry.

I purchased this product from UBID(refurbished). With in a week it started power off by itself with in few minutes. UBID did not respond to complaint. I gave it for repair to a HK authorized repair shop. Its two months, waiting for a part from HK. I would never buy a HK product, because of poor reliability and slow response of HK. Sound of HK is O.k for the price but neverthless harsh sounding.

Fantastic unit for listening to music

Definately the ugly remote!

Just wanted to let everybody know that you cannot go wrong with this unit. I've had the AVR40 for about a year and I love it. Sure it may be limited when it comes to movie decoding because it cannot do digital, but it has the power to reproduce music wonderfully.

Less than three months ago I purchased the HK AVR65, with the thought of jumping into the digital bandwagon. But once I heard the AVR65 try and reproduce music, it just doesn't compare to the sound of the AVR40! The AVR65 costs about 5 times the going rate of AVR40's right now, but the music is terrible. Because of this I decided to keep my beloved AVR40 for listening to music and use the AVR65 for only movie decoding (The Digital decoding is a significant difference.).

So if you have an AVR40, rest assured, you have a top notch product. If you're thinking about purchasing one, get it. You won't be sorry. Spending big bucks doesn't necessarily get you better sound. I've proved it.

By the way, if you really can't stand the remote the AVR40 comes with, get a hold of an AVR65 remote. It looks alot better, has built in programmed codes for controlling other av equipment and can control the AVR40, FL8300, DC520, and many other HK products.

I do love high quality components and loud music...i first got the avr40 from a refurbishing store for around 200bucks...WHAT A STEAL. this thing never stops amazing me, the incredible muscle of this thing is something to behold. The 65 watts dont mean anything after you hook it up. It still pounds the hell out of my house. I hope i can find a stereo version of this jewel as it is discontinued. (less circuitry = good) i dont listen to anything besides music.
With a pair of Klipsch ksp8.5 and a marantz cc48 cdplayer, i managed to knock out every plugin night light in my two story home...yes the ones upstairs fell out as well.

Im going to upgrate to ksp 10.5 soon, and i am sure that even with 2 extra 8in subs, this receiver will pound like a champion.

the marantz by the way is the most solid and nicest sounding cd changer i ever owned. this one is VERY well thought out (except that cheapass ugly piece of shit remote) but the machine it's self is pretty damn satisfying.

Sounds nice for a mainstream receiver.

In for warranty service twice within the first six months.
Control layout on receiver and on remote are difficult.

I guess you get what you pay for, but sometimes it is even less. I have someone else's problem. I purchased this receiver on Ubid for what seemed like a bargain price. It was advertised as a factory rebuilt unit with a full two year factory warranty. It has broken twice within the first six months of use. HK did honor the warranty the first time, and I suppose they will next times as well.

The question is, how much of the two year warranty period will this receiver spend in the shop for warranty fix-ups, and how long will it last after the warranty expires, because at that point it is going straight into the trash bin, where it belongs.

This is not a simple problem, as the first time it appears that an output semiconductor required replacement. All appearances are that the same problem has recurred. I have already checked all of the fuses and they are intact.

What has happened to the fine reputation that H/K used to have?

Similar Products Used:

JVC

Deep bass,crisp hi freq, more relax vocal.

No 3.channel logic.outgoes 6 channel input.

Sound on pro logic purely detail specialy on wrap mode.you even dont notice that sound it's exist.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood stereo solid state amp.