Great Sound, Easy Setup

Be Careful, I've had 2 go bad on me. 1st one the 2nd day of use, it would not turn on. ECost replaced it the next day. Now 2 months later this one has same problem and started smoking.

I love it, when it works. This is the second one I had go bad. I don't see any reasons for the failure either, it's not overworked (maybe a hour or two a day), and it's hooked up to a surge protector. I also have a cooling fan to keep the temps down.

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Sony str-de835

Lot and Lots of Options, night listining,

Remote !!!

I am very impressed with the system, except for the same problem that has been mentioned in many of the reviews => the remote!!!. I was going to buy the AVR310 but I was able to pay only $100 more for the AVR510. When I got the system home and put the batteries in the remote a strange smell started coming from the remote. I took off the cover for the batteries and when I touched them, found them to be VERY HOT. Needless to say the remote didn't work and it was a trip back to Circut City to exchange for another one.

Beautiful front panel "glass" look w/useful LEDs. Top audio performance. Quiet operation. EZ Set actually works!

Manual is a bit confusing. Remote buttons cluttered (but at least it is back lit).

After performing last rights on my Sherwood, I went to Circuit city to find a new A/V receiver. No mailorder for this boy--I wanted to watch movies THIS WEEKEND, and I did not want to mess with shipping anything back if it did nto work out of the box.

I took the AudioREVIEW list of those rating above 4.60 with me, cuz I knew I would never be able to hear anything in the showroom. I set my price limit at $900 and looked around.

I saw an Onkyo and Sony that looked decent in my price range. Then I spied an HK AVR310 that looked FAR classier then any of the others. The big glass (clear plastic) front panel and color LEDs reminded my of McIntosh components. I looked at the specs and noticed that the power rating was significantly BELOW what the Onkyo and Sony models offered in a similiar price range. But I have been into audio for 20 years and I know that not all watts are created equal. And HK receivers have always been known for delivering CURRENT, which is what separates the men from the boys when driving real-world speakers.

I asked the salesman if he had any more HK receivers, and he took me into a room that had the AVR 510 just sitting there. Then I asked him a few questions about audio to see if he really knew what to listen for. I was surprised, but he actually had some audio experience! Then I casually asked about the HK compared to the other models they carry--some similarly priced and some higher priced. The guy didn't even bat an eye and gushed, "The HK receivers are by far the best sounding of anything we carry. They just sound more like high end audio than the others." That pretty much did it for me. I knew I would have to take one home to actually listen to it to decide for my self.

So I bought the AVR 510. The manual is not great. I know, because I have been a professional technical writer for 18 years. I finally got the receiver installed and set up. At first I got NO sound out of it--nothing even from the headphone output. The blood started boiling, but then I pressed something on the front panel and the sound came on (no, not the Power Switch!).

I connected my DVD player to the Video 2 audio inputs and the coax PCM digital input. I put in a DVD and sat back in my chair. Everything seemed to be OK, as the receiver sensed the Dolby Digital signal. The sound was fantastic without any hiss during silent sequences. Separation between channels was also excellent. Definitely a step up from the Sherwood it replaced.

I set up the subwoofer LFE channel, but the front and rear channels seemed out of balance. I read about the EZ Set feature and was skeptical. But, what the heck, I decided to try it. I held the remote out with its little microphone facing up. I pushed the remote button to start the sequence. As a test signal came through each speaker, I watched the front panel as it changed the level until it locked. The system repeated this sequence twice for each speaker until all five were set.

I put the movie back in and DAMN! Everything sounded very balanced. The center channel was very realistic for dialog and the fronts and rears were perfectly balanced. And what is great is that I can use this same method should I upgrade my speakers in the future. No need to worry about impedance and efficiency differences.

We'll see how the AVR 510 holds up long term. I know the Sherwood didn't. Right now I have no complaints about the HK. And I really like the useful features and fantastic sound and looks of this receiver.

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Sherwood Newcastle 945--owned for 7 months--OK sound, but a pain to set surround mode, and channels died.

Sounds very clean,componet in/outs

read bellow

It is realy nice piece of equipment (for the money I spend).I like clean sound ,5 chanel stereo is very niece,dolby digital,dts,and pro logic works flawlessly.What I don't like is: not enough power to watch regular tv you ned to set it to-35 db and if You like your music realy loud it may run out of juice,another thing which bothers me is that it looses sound effect settings for example when you watch tv and put receiver in prologic mode when you change the chanel or turn on program guide (I have satelite)and whant to get back to watching tv receiver will set itself to surround off mode.Good thing is that it detects DD and DTS .Overall it is realy nice receiver and I 'm not going to complain about remotes like almost everybody else because I havent seen receiver with remote that will suit me .I bought universal learning remote long time ago since I have 8 components in my sytem and everyone of them is different brand.

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technics ax 6

Eveything. Also (Remote controls all my Audio and Video equipment now!)

None

This is for all Hk Owners of the (510) check out the test report on this receiver in the Sound&Vision June 2001 Issue.

***This Receiver power rating is way under rated, it pumps out like a 150w amp! CHEERS. still happy and no problemo at all...

Similar Products Used:

Denon

Sound quality, inputs/outputs, power, flexiblity, options,
looks, 2 channel stereo and surround sound.(effects)

I would have to say the remote could use a little work. But that's just nit picking.

Let me start by saying that all of these products are nice pieces, but I am very picky and damanding on sound/looks/power and price. For the money, there was only one choose. H/K. I have owned this piece before, but I sent it back because I wanted a little more power out of my receiver. So, I test drove some new models. And the more I tested the more H/K was the only choose. I would call places and I would get either Denon or Onkyo shoved down my throat.( I guess because of the money or break that company gets for pushing their products?)

I actually had the 2 Sony receivers, and owned the Denon AVR-3300. The Sony's sounded great for the movies and that's it. Denon was a little better for both, but the H/K sounded more open and non-artifical. The only other one that sounded as good, was the Marantz.(SR-8000) But, I couldn't see $400.00 difference. I have read most of the reviews on this product, plus I have a friend in the stereo business who sells both Onkyo/HK. But he's not just a sales member, but a owner of these products. And he loves them.(also, he is a professional member of a band)

I understand that people are going to get a defective one here and there. I myself have had to return other products, but that's no reason to put the whole model down because of it. Some people may just be too picky. They want the moon and only want to pay peanuts. This sound rocks and is awesome for the money and don't pay too much attention to these negitive reviews. I could have spent more for other models/brands but for the money, this is a killer. Read the reviews in Sound and Vision mag., I think it is May or June of this year.

This receiver doesn't have THX, or ES. But there are very few DVD's out there for this, and if you want to spend more money for more speakers, go ahead.

My set-up:
H/K AVR-510
H/K FL-8550 (CD)
H/K CDR-30 (CD-RECORDER)
PIONEER ELITE DV-C36 (DVD)
SONY DVP-CX870 (DVD/CD PLAYER 301)
SONY TC-WA8ES (CASS DECK)
SONY MDS-JB940 (MINI DISC)
SONY SLV-M91HF (HI-FI VCR)
MITSUBISHI HU-570(HIFI VCR)
GO-VIDEO DDV-9556 ( DUAL DECK HIFI VCR)
TECHNICS SL-BD22 (TURNTABLE) AVAILABLE
ONKYO TA-RW544 (DUAL CASS DECK) AVAILABLE
SONANCE 260 (2-CHANNEL AMP) AVAILABLE

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Onkyo TX-DS787, Sony STR-DB940/1070, Denon AVR-3300/3801, Yamaha RX-V1000,

Excellent, well balanced and natural sound, high current watts, price, plenty of connection options, DTS, usable surround fields.

REMOTE is not the best but you can buy a different one if it bugs you that much. Nothing else.

HOME THEATER SETUP:

Receiver: AVR510
Television: Sony Wega 32"
DVD player: Toshiba
VCR: JVC Super-VHS
Speaker Main: NHT SuperOnes
Speaker Center: NHT SuperCenter
Speaker Surrounds: NHT SuperZeros
Subwoofer; JBL 120 watt, 12"

I'd first like to explain the price first. I paid $498.00 for a AVR500 from the outlet store. This unit was plagued with problems and was in the repair shop three times. I contacted HK customer support through e-mail and after a few messages back and forth for serial number and repair confirmation I had an AVR510 sent to my door and is working flawlessly. Customer service handled the problem quickly and hassle free. This should be an important consideration when buying equipment such a receiver.

The AVR510 looks great with many displays on the front panel such as surround mode, input, number of channel signal, and speaker size.

The sound output is even better. I listened to many receivers at Best Buy, Circuit City, and Good Guys. I didn't care for the Sony, Panasonic and JVC units as they sounded cheap and unnatural. lacking any detail. I could not see spending any amount over a $100 for these units especially after listening to the Harman Kardon. I did like the Denon though but I opted for the HK because of price. No regrets. I know speaker choice and placement has alot to do with how a unit sounds but the AVR510 just sounded so much better when I was comparing them.

I mainly use it for home theater with a DVD player but music sounds so good on this baby that I find myself listening to music more often now. My unit is powering NHT SuperOnes as mains, NHT SuperCenter, and NHT SuperZeros as surounds. I have a JBL 12" sub which I might upgrade later. Movies simply sound AWESOME with this setup. The dialog is clear, balanced, natural and very pleasant sounding. The music and effects sound full, balanced, detailed, realistic and enveloping. While watching DVD movies the sound just pulls you into the movie and experience it rather than just watch it. Music also sounds great from this unit. Loud and clear! Volume levels can exceed what I'll ever want to listen to music or watch a movie at. More volume than I need unless I've had more than a six-pack.

The unit has component in and out jacks. Has tons of other in and out jacks. You can select between large and small speakers which adjust crossover points to the subwoofer. You can also select between two crossover points for each small and large setting. Some of the surrounds are very useful and others I can live without. Dolby Digital and DTS are a must for DVDs. Prologic and Logic7C are good for VHS. Logic7 extracts more detail and information from material and has better processing. I like this mode for VHS. I prefer stereo with no surround for TV programing. 5Channel Stereo and Logic7M are great for music listening in a party environment playing music from all speakers. Logic7M is also very nice to listen to CDs or music DVDs. 5-Channel Stereo also works good for watching sports such as football or boxing with a crowded house. Other surround modes include 3 Stereo, Hall 1, Hall 2, Vmax(near), Vmax(far), and no surround.

I don't think you can find a better receiver at this price range. This unit sounds better and performs, and has more usable sound fields than even some receivers in higher price ranges.

You cant go wrong with this unit. My recomendation-------------Buy It!

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AVR500

Great sound for stereo
Great sound for DVD (DD, have not tried DTS)
Great look (in my opinion)

AM reception
Bad manual
So so remote
A little high price, but worth it for me

Movies will never be the same. I tested it with "The World is not enough", and was totally blown away. This receiver rocks! CD music was much much better than the $400 Pioneer that I used to own. Logic 7 as well as other sound effect were not that great.

The manual was one of the worst that I have ever read, but the receiver performance made me forget the pain with the manual. Remote is so so, cannot learn from my Panasonic DVD remote, and its shape could have been designed better. AM reception left a bit to be desired.

I have not yet use EZ Set to tune speakers, so I am expecting better performance. Who cares about sound effect, bad manual, so so remote when you either listen to music or watch DVDs with this receiver? I give it a 5.

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Pioneer VSX 608

clean dynamic sound, powerful. amazing DAC for digital inputs

confusing remote, needs another video input for my two vcr's

After using an NAD 7175pe for ~15 years, it was time to upgrade to an AVR receiver. Came down to the H/K vs. Denon 3801. I decided to go with the H/K for its high current output and clean musical sound. Decided that the extra features and whistles on the Denon came at a price; amplifier performance.
Anyway, so far am loving this receiver. I agree with the other reviewer who criticized the lack of composite to s-video converter. I have to run two outputs to my tv; s-video for dvd and dish, and composite for VHS.

The DAC from digital sound is the really killer. What a difference between analogue sound from my DVD and CD player vs. using the digital inputs. That 192khz / 24 bit DAC is dynamic and has incredible range. Deeper bass, clean transparent treble. LOVE IT! My dvd player has a 24/96 dac for audio cd's but the H/k still sounds better via the optical input.

Also, agree that the Logic 7 is a nice touch.

Overall, this receiver has sparked my interest in listening to music again. With movies and DD DTS, it's amazing.

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NAD 7175pe

Excellent sound, lots of power, great looks

maybe the remote, but it is backlit

I got my AVR-510 as a replacement for my crappy AVR-500. What a difference. My AVR-500 sounded great, but the ticking noise from the right channels when adjusting the volume drove me nuts. I hooked up the 510, and not only did it actually work, but the sound quality is improved. I can't believe this unit for the money. I have renewed faith in HK's products, becasue this one is excellent!!!

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this product. Anybody looking for a good quality receiver for DVD, music etc. check this one out.

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AVR500