sound quality--this is the most important issue

reliability (maybe I got a lemon--please let this be the last repair) not a learning remote

This is an excellent sounding unit. Like American cars, my receiver has had to go to B&K three times to repair. First there was craziness in the display circuitry that required 2 roundtrips to fix. (It turned out to be the ribbon cable). Now there is a hum from all channels and the sub outs. Customer service has been ok, not great, and I have yet to get the humming amp returned.

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Marantz separates--B&K sounds much better

Outstanding, sweet, sound. Tremendous power for 105W/ch... Drives my Dynaudio Audience 52s (4ohms) without even breathing hard.

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It was time to upgrade my Denon 3801 receiver. It was good for home theater, but musically unsatisfying. Enter the B&K AVR 202. Wow... This thing sings like no receiver I've ever heard. Tight, dynamic, smooth, and neutral. Great soundstaging, wonderful vocals, tight bass. I love the sound pouring out of this masterpiece. To my ears, it blows away anything from Denon, Yamaha, etc., and even bests the comparable Rotel and Arcam receivers. It just doesn't get any better than this... The remote is terrific, and this thing is built like a Mercedes - tough but beautiful. Home theater is outstanding. 2-channel is literally music to my ears. This receiver easily keeps up with (and in many ways surpassed) the Adcom separates setup I had for a while. Yes, it's that good... Also, it has just the right amount of surround modes (I love the 4-channel stereo mode myself)... The warranty is longer than practically everything else out there, and B&K has wonderful customer service. Did I mention it's fully upgradeable? When the time comes, you can upgrade it to 7.1, Pro-Logic II, etc. If you can find one of these babies on ebay, buy it... You won't regret it.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801 & receivers from Rotel, Arcam, Yamaha, Adcom separates.

Excellent support

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I had separates for years because the quality of receivers was not up to snuff. In 1999, I read a review of the AVR202 and decided to take a chance. I was not disappointed. I sold all my separates. In 2000, I found that DVDs wouldn't play in 5.1 any more. I arranged for the unit to be sent back for repair. B&K couldn't find anything wrong but while it was there, upgraded my software for free. Jerry at B&K suggested that I check the DVD player's configuration. When I got the unit back, I checked my player. Yup, someone in my house had changed the settings. The AVR202 wasn't the problem. When

Quality of Build Warranty Ease of Operation Phenomenal Sound Value

Sounds too good to be a single unit

With the only real exception being the Knuckle Head that felt he needed to stick up for his Denon 5700, this unit has received very respectable reviews. It has earned them by its more than capable abilities. I have my AVR 202 hooked up to a pair of Martin Logan SL3''s, a Martin Logan Logos(center), and a pair of Phase Tchnologies CI-100s. The Logans are probably the most revealing speakers made. They work extremely well with the B&K AVR 202. I was going to buy separates until I heard this unit. I am not boasting, but I do have the financial means to acquire pretty much whatever I want in the area of Audio Equipment. One should spend whatever is necessary to accomplish their goals, but any more than that is just waste. That is why I bought the B&K AVR 202. It pushes my very revealing and power hungry Logans with no problem. It is very user friendly, and it is backed by probably the strongest warranty in the industry. I am not sure what the other manufacturers provide, but the B&K comes with a full 5 year warranty. It''s performance if s flawless, and if B&K made cars and homes I would drive one and live in the other.

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Top of the line of all available audiophile equipment.

All in one operation.....Still amazed at the audio qualities of this receiver, and to be honest, which I know I will be yelled at for, is the price. If you are, or were into hi end audio, you will know what I mean when I say the price after you heard this receiver...

Putting a lot of strictly audio companies out to pasture.....

Not a professional, or in the business, but foremost would consider myself about 80 percent to 20 percent an audio junkie rather than an home theatre fanatic. I wanted to have the best of both worlds, but did not want to mortgage the house, so I sold my audio gear, classe ca200 amp. bat vk20 preamp, and kept the classe cd player, knowing that this change would be the worst mistake of my life. Here goes, I purchased a b&k avr 202 strictly on word of mouth, reviews on this listing, etc...And I quote, I have ONLY heard this AVR receiver, so I can not compare it to ANY OTHER receiver. It has a musicial sound that I could not have thought possible in my wildest dreams...I can''t even guess what the b&k avr 305 sounds like. All I can say is, if you want to get into home theatre, and are having sleepless nights worrying about parting with your audio gear, get the b&k, and sleep easy knowing that you 1)will be saving money 2)have a VERY musical piece, and I mean musical, and 3) have a lot more room in your audio rack or cabinet for some other garbage that you know you will buy down the road.......

Similar Products Used:

classe ca200, bat vk20 mcintosh 2505, mcintosh c28, etc...

Incredible definition, tight bass, very musical -- not the processed "Japanese" sound. Upgradeable

Could use a direct 6 channel input for future formats (but rs232 port might be used). Minimal number of buttons on front panel creates sleek look, but limits practical functionality

Don't know that any receiver is really worth what it takes to buy the AVR202, but this B&K unit offers AMAZING sound. I was very surprised by the amount of improvement I heard when listening to my Martin Logans -- Typically I don't experience this level of difference in anything other than speakers. Seems much more powerful than its 105w rating. Even when compared with high end Krell and Macintosh home theater equip., the B&K will hold its own. Product reliability according to my sources is on par with other manufacturers. I can't understand how anyone would not like this unit if it is functioning properly

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Yamaha, Denon

American Made

Sound.
Not enough user control buttons.

I am really amazed that you all are happy with this unit.

I found that it produced hum even with no source selected (Yes, I looked into the electrical supplies), was a very muddy sound, and was more than a hassle to use.

There was simply no crispy top end. Vocals sounded muffled. It was a totally aweful and disappointing experience.

I called B&K and got a lot of excuses but no improvement.

I'm sorry, but that cr@p about Japanese sound is total b.s. when you listen to the Denon AVR 5700, which I am extremely happy with. No hum, lots of power, crisp high end, nice musical output, and the Harmonic Recovery System kicks a$$. The Denon is upgradable as well.

And, don't let them forget to tell you that you pay full price for any upgrades on the B&K.

Do yourself a favor. Buy this B&K unit from a reputable store that will allow you to return it if you are disappointed. I certainly was not happy at all.

But, I wish the best to those of you who are enjoying your unit. Sound is very personal.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 5700

Robust Functionality, once you understand and can navigate the menu system

Would have preferred more power, for less efficient speaker systems.

Very strong, robust system. Provides 'Separates' quality components; excellent value for what it does. No weaknesses or limitations when used on all but the most demanding speaker systems. I'm currently running Mirage OM-6s (the 202 can cleanly and dynamically drive these to ear-shartering levels); may not effectively drive the large B&Ws or Aerials: I'll soon find out.

Highly recommended to anyone who wants high-end quality, without the high-end price. For those who think $2,750 is expensive for this quality or functionality, spend more time looking to see just how expensive it can get, and how much of a premium you would pay for a 'high-end' name.

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AVR 5700 (Denon)

Execellent sound, very versatile, customer service is phenomenal

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There are plenty of reviews below on this receiver. So this review confirms that this receiver is a terrific alternative to separates. What I wanted to share is how B&K stands behind their equipment. They are continually ugrading the designs, both hardware and software. When I hooked up a new pair of speakers to the receiver, the left front channel blew. Got on the phone with B&K (Jerry) who is an audiophile himself, and boom, the unit was shipped to B&K, no problem. Got there on a Tuesday. By Wednesday, B&K had not only replaced the blown output, but they upgraded the case, heatsinks, fan (removed), and even some of the circuitry to the latest version, as well as upgrading the software to the most current version. It was on its way back to me by Thursday, all covered by B&K's excellent 5 year warranty. To me, that kind of service and support, not to mention the fact that the 202 can be upgraded with new technology as it comes out, coupled with great sound, makes this unit a must buy. It's worth it!

Looks and sound. Made in the USA.

Customer Service (via email) and upgradability claims

This is a fantastic product. I have been using it for well over a year and have not had a single problem. I do, however, have issues with their upgrade claims. I spoke with a rep in December who indicated that they would have upgrade plans for the 202 available by the end of January. It is now the end of April and I still do not know what type of upgrade path is available for this unit. I have never received a response from any of the e-mails that I have sent this company. Anyone else know anything about the upgrade path for this model??