Setup was a breeze. I read the handbook on-line before delivery. Let me start by saying I have never set-up audio surround or digital in the past. Initially, I began to fear the "Case of the Humms" or the wavy TV-Screen reported by you'z guyz! I had none and neither. Font Channel speakers are Infinity Overture 2's ($411 each @ UBID.com), rears are Overture 1's ($609 @ Lightning Audio & Video - Jerry knows his stuff!), center Overture 1-CC.
So I began to crank it up, (-43db, -33 db, -25 db). I began to hear things I've never heard before. The mid's were unbelievably clean and the highs were tight but not overstated. Bass and Treble settings were flat on the AVR 65. Turned the Bass on the Overture's Built-In subwoofers all the way down. I couldn't believe my ears. I picked-up the phone and called a friend. She knew I was excited about the new system. She knew it was coming today! Even she commented that the sound was very clean (over the phone) - maybe she was humoring me, but when I said I had to go - she asked, "will yah just leave the phone next to a speaker and let me listen for a while".

And if that isn't wild enough - during the hours of 3:30 PM - 4:30PM CST I listened to classical music. Never done that before. Primarily listen to techno/house, classic-rock, blues, and rap!. Just couldn't believe the detail. I'm sure the speakers have a lot to do with it, but something has to drive 'em. And I must say it's never been easier to switch between Audio Sources.

I still haven't tried a CD or DVD. That was just FM and Music-Channels via DSS! If anyone is having the problems listed in some of the other reviews, give HK a call. I did just to check up on the reports.

First, the Humm is from a bad fuse and will be quite noticeable. Where better to fine a blown fuse than "Circuit City"

Second, the video interference has nothing to do with the high-power amplifier. Simply buy pricey cables for your devices. However, they suggested to use coaxial from DVD--->Receiver instead of optical (less money and one less conversion proces to go through).

Additionally, if the TV supports it go DSS, DVD and VHS direct to TV. Ideally go with DVD---->TV with that three-cable thing (R,G,B). Use the same wherever possible and than drop to s-video for DSS and VCR. Also look at buying Digital-recording VCR from Panasonic for $800. Yep record sattelite Digital 5.1 broadcasts onto your new ultra-highend Digital VCR!

Want to eliminate TV interference: Connect DSS and other Audio sources to Receiver using a decent "RCA Cable". I would reccomed new cables wherever possible.

NOTE: If you have a crappy old TV or crappy old audio source with bad (oxidized, dusty, crusty) RCA jacks - well your likely going to have some bad signal or signal-interference. Fortunately for me - I get to have all new components - from VCR to receiver to DVD to Tape Deck to Sony WEGA.

Well overall I must say I couldn't be happier. I have my dream system. The system has opened up a whole new world for me - classial music. Harmon Kardon support is excellent. And the receiver looks clean and people say ---- Ohhh you got a Harmon Kardon! Same quality - same pure clean music. Oh hey, sorry someones here in my living room ... I gotta go.....

richard: "What's that"
Mick: ..."come to my emotional rescue"

And now a little Zepplin (Did yah know the first Zepplin had a huge lead Center-balancing device)
.......Ohhh man " leaves have fallin all around, time I was on my way... and still i'm much abliged.....Now it's time for me to go....the autimn moon lights my way...

-12db, -5 db, +1db.......Turning up BASS and Sub's....+2db....by!

Wheeeeee hEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW!

Richard Kalajian
Regional Sales Manager
Medic Computer Systems

Let me join the club, but I have a few new problems. First let me explain that I have HK equipment from the 70s that is still working flawlessly so I am a devoted fan. In fact, I am using two bridged Citation 16As for left and right, a Citation 16 stereo for center and sub and a Citation 19 for surround.
These amps were supposed to be used to replace an AVR-80 THX that sounded GREAT and worked flawlessly.

Well.. hers what I have:

1.The same Hiss that everyone else complains about
2. Hum and buzz so bad that it is unlistenable
3. verical stripe artifacts in the picture from all video inputs but seems worse on video 3 (front panel)
4. When I use Hall 1 or Hall 2 or Theater, the subwoofer is fed a full frequency output so I have voices coming from the sub
5. and when this otput is fed to the subwoofer It is at an extremely HIGH volume.

It is extremely dishearteneing to see a product with such potential have so many problem.

They do have a website and I don't know it it will help, but It couldn't hurt to let them know WE KNOW that this is not an isolated couple receivers.

I don't know if this is on every unit or not but it seems to be a major problem.

If any one gets any positive feedback please let us know. Until rectification of the problem I cannot give this product any more than 1 star for concept. Don't buy it unless these problems are fixed and that is coming from someone who has purchased three Citations 16s, one Citation 11, one Citation 17, one Citation 19, The first HK cassette deck, a Rabco ST-7 (their straight line tracking turntable) one FL8450 CD player, three AVR-80s and the current AVR-65.

Everything till this receiver has work flawlessly and has been better sounding and better quality that anything in its price class and above. In fact the power amps are over 25 years old and can go head to head with any thig out there today. This is a drag.

John A. Casler

I have not purchased the unit, but I have listened to it at Circuit City. It sounded terrific, but I have read from the newsgroups that some people are experiencing a humming noise. Supposedly, the manufacturer has suggested that it is a grounding problem inside the unit that is causing this. I want to purchase the unit, because it is a great value and awesome sound, but I want to make sure the humming problem is corrected by HK first. If anyone has any info on this, please e-mail me. I'm not sure what the unit costs (Circuit City: about $980) through a mail order company, but I would guess about $550-600, which is great for this product.
Anyway, at this point I give it 4 stars. Not 5 because I'm skeptical about the aforementioned problem.

I had bought an AVR65 from Circus City. It did hiss and have the problems mentioned earlier. My big complaint is what the hell is Harmon Kardon doing. A problem exists and they have yet to recall the product. HK can be forgiven for not having as good a quality control check as they should have had on this item.. They can be forgiven for yanking the bad units off the market and fixing them. What they CAN NOT be forgiven for is knowing the reciever is defective and doing absolutly nothing but letting the customers determine which units are defective.
HK better get off their butts and address this problem. They have handled this so badly that 5 years down the road the AVR65 will be cited as the very basis for not buying an HK product. And even with all the problems people are still waiting to buy the AVR65 , hoping their unit will not be a lemon. Come in HK........ HK........ Hk.......... Is anyone out there?

65-Watts x 5-Channels, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-Logic, Theater, Dolby 3-Stereo, and 2-Hall Modes, make this a well equiped Home Theater piece. Although it is a bit pricey at $1,200 retail. You may want to consider the Yamaha RX-V2095 (more power and features), but it does become worth while to consider if you mail order it for $699. At that price, it becomes my second favorite Receiver on the market.

There is very much hiss in the surround-channels andthey are too quiet!!!

Beautiful - just beautiful. Just purchased this unit BEFORE I found these messages. I have the aformentioned video artifacts AND the hiss. Will moving the unit away from the TV help with the video problem?

So what gives? Return it? Are we all stuck?

Just a little more info from HK. Last four serial numbers 4001 and up are second production receivers.Good Luck,
Ross

I've had two of them (living room and master bedroom) for close to a month now. Last five serial numbers are 04331 and 04334. No hum or hiss whatsoever here. I wonder if people with units over SN 04001 keep having some problems. Sound into my B&W DM-602s speakers is clear and powerful, with plenty of useful reserve. I just wished it had two or three more audio/S-video/digital inputs. Construction quality is good, NOT great. The subwoofer output RCA connector (not gold) in one of them pulled out when I try to change a tight Monster cable this past weekend, but I was able to put it back in place again. What a scare!!! For less than $800 you can't ask for more, I guess. Not as yet!

Harman-Kardon AVR-65
I bought the receiver mail order from Uncle's Stereo for $669 plus $25 shipping, set-up was a little tricky. I've been tweeking the setting for about a week and I am very happy with the overall performance and sound. I also bought the Toshiba 2108 DVD player locally for $338.....great combo, can't be beat for the price.