Sound, Looks

seems old. I never even use the Video inputs since they are composite only and with todays video technology you need at least component.

This reciever has a great sound. I have her hooked up to some Pol LS-70's in front with new Polk R50's in the rear. Great sound for a budget reciever. Harman Kardo n always sounds like more watts then what is listed. I will move to a new reciever in a few yesrs but figure I would start out with this one. I am very happy with the purchase

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Denon

You Name it, it has everything you need

Only can hold two front speaker

BUT IT,if you are thinking about buying a reciever, the HKAV5 is one of the best recievers for the price. I brought the reciever from CC out of box for 149.00 and I haven't looked back since. The sound quilty is great, not a hiss in this reciever. One the things that I didn't like about the reciever is, there is no hook up for rear speckers. But that can be easily fixed, just hook right front and right rear together and the left front and left rear together and there you go, or you can go out and buy a specker swicth box. The remote take a little time to get use to, but once you have mastered it, it opens another world for you. In short, if you want a high end reciever, above the low end of other recievers, this is the reciever for you. Hold on to your hat, because my wall are still shaking.

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NAD

Well engineered. Low distortion. Good price.

None that are worth noting.

This purchase turned out to be steal. This is very good product from HK. I have it hooked up to a HK 8300 CD Player(another story), Wharfedale Sapphire Ctr, Wharfedale Valdus 400's, and HK surrounds. The combination is efficient, effortless, and provides the listener with a exceptional ambiance. Equally comfortable with classic rock and roll as well as some of the new stuff by Everclear, U-2, and Dave Mathews. Very seldom take the volume over -40. Glad to see it inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Pioneer. Sony. NAD.

Clean sound and simple controls

Only one set of speaker outs and remote sliding door

I have my AVR5 hooked up to Infinity CMS-1 includes 4 Minuette MPS satellite speakers with a voice-matched center channel speaker and a BU-80-powered subwoofer. I think it all sounds great for the price. Watching movies just isn't the same anymore.

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JVC, Mitsubishi

sounds great, lots of inputs and outputs

unreliable

as stated in my review of the avr 300 i had traded up to the 500 when my avr 300 crapped out. Things went great for the first 2 months I loved the sound whether it be watching movies or pounding out the blues. And speaking of the blues just out of the blues the volume just goes goofy. Watching tv the volume decrease to nothing and then to +5. Right after that the volume would fluctuate when watching tv and when playing music (cd) it sounded real bad. Took it back got a new one and if this one fails (which if I were a betting man) I get my money back. Leaning towards the marantz sr 7000, however I think I'v got a few weeks to shop around.

When this receiver was working it was great that is the only reason I agreed to try another one. I understand that it may be a flaw in the volume control, something to do with the digital control chip.

Shop around find something of equal quality but is reliable, who needs the hassle!!!!!

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avr 300

sound quality, high current capability and doesn't look like everything else on the market

no s-vhs input

I presently own a hafler amp and luxman pre but wanted to enter the world of avr...I spent a long time looking...I seriousely considered the teac 9320, a couple of sony models as well as a jvc. All these models had true dolby digital ... and were either the same price or cheaper,but I know that the build Quality and sound quality could not match the Hk avr's and i have not been disappointed in stereo mode it almost matches the sound quality of my hafler...now i have it hooked up to some boston acoustic speakers....I wonder if it can handle a set of apogee ribbon speakers.....will let u know if I have the nerve to try...would hate to blow the amp section.The cost in Canada is quite a bit more than in the USA and i could find only one dealer in vancouver and they suck the big one...Future Shop...

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none

Classic style, Harmon/Kardon invented the "reciever", 5.1 digital ready for DVD, full function remote, front A/V jacks, plenty of inputs for all your gear, great price.

Weaknesses are a matter of opinion. For this product I don't feel there is any-for the money.

I searched for 2 months when my Toshiba reciever went out on me. I took my time getting the information on what's good, what's bad, and bought the AVR 5. Harmon/Kardon is one of the best companies that make A/V equipment. Even though the AVR 5 is "low-end" for H/K when compared to recievers you see at Best Buy, Sears, or where ever the AVR 5 is where it's at. This machine has all you need for a modest price-what more could you ask for? Sure you could buy a Sony or AWIA at best best for the same price but why buy a Ford with leather seats when you can buy an entry level Mercedes? You get the idea. The only thing you need to be sure of is buy your DVD player with the decoder-this model reciever doesn't have the digital decoder for 5.1.
Buy the way anything you buy at Best Buy is crap that's why their prices are so cheap. It's all low-end at the big BB.
-John Clark

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Toshiba, Pioneer

Simple controls and design

Not being able to push more than two front end speakers in stereo mode.

I recently decided to jump on the AVR bandwagon. I wanted a good sounding receiver for music but also wanted the potential to develop a low-price, high-quality sounding surround system. I stumbled across the AVR5 at Circuit City like many others. It was a display model priced to go at $154.97. I wonder if the pricing strategy designed to clear out last year's models. If not, it sounds like we all got the last Rice Crispy Treat. After I bought it, they unpacked another and put it on the shelf.
However you slice it, it sounds really good. I picked up a set of Pioneer p10's to go along with it. Though I am not an avid audiophile, I do know this is quality. It's a sleeper of a system with the specs not at all justifying or adequately hinting at the true potential. I appreciate the lack of too many bells and whistles on this receiver as well. Too often we end up paying extra hundreds of dollars for features and buttons that are never used. If you just want good quality sound at an affordable price, this is the way to go.

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Last receiver was a JVC Stereo recvr from 1992 or 1993.

preamp and 5.1 inputs for upgradability

no s-video

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to upgrade my pro-logic AVR40 to a HK DD unit-got it for only $135 (open box but not a mark on it) at 6th Ave. Electronics. These high current receivers are impressive and the DD rates highly as well in my opinion. It's sleek, conservative look doesn't hurt either. I wish it had s-video ins/outs but for $135 I can't complain. I must also comment about my disagreement with the 1 speaker rating below. HK's customer service did right by me when they replaced a defective refurbished FL8300 5-CD changer I bought at U-bid for well under $100 with a BRAND NEW FL8350 at NO charge.

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Harman Kardon AVR 40

I've had this receiver for a month now and it is great! It has the classic H/K sound, clean, warm and powerful bass. It is great for my stereo listening needs, which I'm using it only for. There is a slight hum/hiss with this receiver, though I don't think it's the same one that people have been experiencing with the H/K AVR 65 recently. The hum/hiss is only very slight (you have to be very close to the speakers) and is only noticeable when you turn it up to max.
Overall, I highly recommend this receiver. I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the slight hum/hiss.