I had purchased this unit last week and had a very substantial hum
in the front 3 speakers. After some research into this problem I found
that this was a ground loop problem caused by connecting the coxial cable
from your cable tv service to your receiver, most likely thru your vcr. After
disconnecting the cable the hum completly disappeared. I haven't done alot
of critical listening but it does have that typical HK sound which is detailed
without being overly analytical. Before I bought this I had listened to
many receivers at $1000. including two other hk models. The HK's simply
gives a more natural and totally unforced presentation. As far as all the DSP
modes, you can have them, they all sound artificial. This was one the easier
choices I've had to make.

Great sound

For the price I can not think of any.

Purchased receiver online I have never run into any problems with it. So far this machine has performed wonderfully. I have no complaints mates up well with my NHT VT-2 speakers. Two channel music sounds excellent and AC-3 and DTS have almost a cinema like quality.

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Sheerwood, H/K avr-25, Sony, and Technics

strong, clear, clean sound

runs very warm....no "loud" button...remote buttons very small and difficult to use

I've found this to be an excellent receiver. I use it mostly in dolby prologic mode...deep, rich, and clear sound even from the back surround speakers. A "loud" button/function would have been nice though. The only problem I've found is my subwoofer out line doesn't function. I highly recommend this unit.

Plenty of distortion free sound

Heat/needs plenty of space around it for cooling.

I enjoy the sound this receiver produces. Especially how clear it is compared to my other two receivers. A Sony and Pioneer. I had to have it serviced by an HK shop near my home. It had a proplem with the volume control knob. Would increase by itself without touching the remote or knob. Seems like other HK model owners had the same problem Fixed within 1 week. Works fine. The tech suggested I sit a whisper fan on top to get rid of heat. I plan to do that soon. Other than that it has been a great unit,it was a refurb so there was bound to be problems. Good price for great sound. Still in warranty for another year, plan to get an additional 3 years for$50 just in case. Would buy again if given the choice.

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None

Simple design, clean audio, bang for the buck

I purchased this unit two years ago to replace an older HK AVR20II because I wanted the DTS. I have not experienced any of the problems that some people have with the speakers blowing, etc... (knock on wood).

The one common problem I first encountered was with video interference while watching cable with the unit on. I checked all of my grounding and was concerned since I was using decent, although overpriced, Monster cable. After a quick call to HK support (which, in my opinion, is one of the most responsive in the business) they recommended that I replace all of my coax with RG6, the new standard. Using inexpensive gold-connector RG6 from Radio Shack, all of my interference problems disappeared.

I recently got the new HK DVD50 (still waiting for the software upgrade) and am truly impressed with the sound processing of the AVR65. Yes, if I had the money I would love additional AV component video inputs, more optical inputs, etc... but this unit was one of the best for the money and I would stand by it.

All equipment has bugs and problems and Harman Kardon is no exception. In fact, I think they release some of their products too quickly. In their defense, they will ALWAYS warranty the items even after the warranty expires (with a little b*tching) and they stand by their products 100% to make it right.

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HK AVR20II

Good sound, look

Channels blowing

I have used this product for 2.5 years and overall I have been happy with its sound and functionality. I have blown both the center and right channel, however. Reading several other posts, it sounds like this has been a common occurence. Other than being a real inconvenience, HK and the repair shop have been great. HK fixed the last blow out while my product was out of warranty. However, HK still has no excuse for producing a product with these kind of defects. As a result, I probably will never purchase an HK again. The repair shop did instruct me on ways to prevent the above mentioned blow-out. They recommended making sure the volume was turned down (at least -20db)before turning this product on. So far it has worked. However, I would not expect to have to do this to a medium to high end receiver.

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none

DTS

Quality, Digital options, Speaker posts, Remote, OSD

Had this almost two years before problems started adding up. The interference with my TV has always been there. Thought it was my cables until I read here and changed mine. HK & Circuit City don't have a solution for this that works. Left Front channel blew, and CC attempted repair. Came back from shop still broken.(Thank You CC)

Nobody wants to take responsibilty for the quality on this one. HK wouldn't answer my questions about other owners having problems, and knew nothing about other AVR65's having the video interference problem. (which borders on a violation of the FCC's part 15 rules on interference by the way!).

Fortunately I have a five year warranty on this. It may take five years to fix it!

I don't understand how I got taken for $1000 for this piece of garbage. Live and learn I guess.

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n/a

DD, DTS, 5.1 Analog Input

Demanding set up (video cable quality), Poor Quality Control

Used this as my first DD DTS receiver. Right channel blew up after one week of use. Sent for repair - after resoldering done and changed of part (if not mistaken capacitor)it was ok for about two days until I change the location of my set-up. The right channel then became loose (if the receiver is moved (even with slight knock at the top of the cover) and it produces distorted sound. I had to tap the casing to make the sound ok again. The video cable was changed to a higher quality, if not the video quality is very distorted (blur vith high hissing sound).

Other than the above, the sound is excelent. I like the DD and DTS sound of DVD on this receiver. The stereo sound is also excelent - no complain whatsoever. (well actually no budget to replace the unit as yet)

DD, DTS, 5.1 Analog Input

Demanding set up (video cable quality), Poor Quality Control

Used this as my first DD DTS receiver. Right channel blew up after one week of use. Sent for repair - after resoldering done and changed of part (if not mistaken capacitor)it was ok for about two days until I change the location of my set-up. The right channel then became loose (if the receiver is moved (even with slight knock at the top of the cover) and it produces distorted sound. I had to tap the casing to make the sound ok again. The video cable was changed to a higher quality, if not the video quality is very distorted (blur vith high hissing sound).

Other than the above, the sound is excelent. I like the DD and DTS sound of DVD on this receiver. The stereo sound is also excelent - no complain whatsoever. (well actually no budget to replace the unit as yet)

Even tho I dont belive dts has lived up to all thier promises,I decided to wait for a good quality A/V reciever with dts "posibilities" (I guess thats the best way to put it).One that was affordable and of good build quality was a must.I always liked Harman/Kardon's products and this one brings their standard even higher with the bigest bang for youre buck in any H/K reciver.or anyone elses for that matter in this price range.Many new features that include,,A great new backlit multi component learning remote,cirrus crystal dsp decoding,65x5,75x2 high current fully discrete amp,(headroom galore)and finally,, direct 5 channel inputs!! just to name a few.