Purchased my unit over a year ago (Nov 97). I have nothing but good things to say about this unit. Sounds great in two channel and home theater. More than enough power for medium sized setups. Can drive any load. Current rating is phenomenal, around 65 amps. 85x5, 90x2. ProLogic and DD modes crystal clear. Extremely easy to set up and use. No problems in its first year in my system. However, the lack of 6-channel inputs, which I didn't think about at the time, and the price I paid for one of the first units, $1499, makes me cringe. Oh well, somebody has to go first.

For the price I paid, this receiver gets 5 stars. I concur with the other posted comments regarding DTS, and the lack of inputs. However, for under a grand, it's unlikely you will find a warmer, more transparent sounding receiver.Two channel performance, in particular, is standout.

harmankardon AVR-85

Looked at unit last month at Circuit City (demo unit at $899), then had an opportunity to obtain one from Ubid for less than $500.00. This unit replaced a Denon AVR-75 that I have been using for about 1 year.
Setup:
The setup was quick and the instructions are about as accurate as you seem to get from any manufacturer. Connections are laid out well on the rear of the unit - I only wish that you had a second set of main speaker connectors with switching capability.

Operation:
The on screen displays are great, but they only work with the line video output. There is no OSD if you are using the S-video monitor output. The remote control feels light and cheap, but seems to do the job. At least it is user programmable. The unit remembers what sound mode you were in based upon the input selected except with the digital inputs. To listen to a DVD with digital input you must select the device and then the digital input source (optical, RF).

Pros:
Stereo Sound Quality - This unit makes you remember why you bought stereo equipment in the first place! The sound is warm and imaging is excellent. The power output of this amp allowed me to unretire my old Marantz HD-88 towers that were wasted with my previous two Denon receivers. I almost forgot that you could get bass from something other than a powered subwoofer.

Cons:
Lack of A-B Speaker inputs and switching - It would be really nice to switch to alternate main speakers in the surround sound modes to take advantage of similar speaker types (all of my other speakers are Infinity).
Lack of phono input - will purchase a pre-amp and use tape 2 input.
Minimal Surrond Modes - I know that most are gimmicky, but I do miss the 5 channel stereo mode on the Denon. A Cinema EQ mode would have been nice.

Overall:
An excellent sounding stereo receiver. Not as top notch for home theater, but still pretty darn good. If you can pick one up for $500 or less, you won't find a better unit for the money. At its list price, ($1,400?) there are many other units with more features that may (or may not) be a better value. I'll give it a 5 star rating as I couldn't have found a better unit for the money.

I just picked up a refurb unit (last in stock) at an amazing price of $439.00. I am looking forward tolistening to it. I own a HK-AVR25MKII that is pretty nice. I am sure
this unit will kick butt. I defy anyone to show me a better receiver
for what I paid! 8-) I remember seeing one at Circuit City several months
ago in the $1200 plus range. I feel good.

I love my HK AVR85! Elegant outlook, beautiful sound! ... The only thing I don't like is the remote control. But it doesn't bother me much. Over all, I love this receiver.

It is an awesome receiver, probably one of the best in its price range. Excellent music quality, total outputs supported, good looks make it the leader of the pack. But the remote could have been better. It is excellent
for a learning remote though..

I have owned the AVR-85 for about one month now and let me say its amazing.I bought it at circuit city for 949.00 and that price included a HK-FL8350 cd changer,a guy speacial orderd it and never picked it up, needless to say he was going to pay alot more than i did.The reciever blows me away every time i turn it on.Power output is more than ample to drive my infinity studio monitors, and it has tons of current 65amps or so.It was the easiest reciever to set up that i ever have owned.I traded in a sony strde-925 and man am i glad i did. The sony used to get soooo hot even after only being on for an hour or so but the HK is barely luke warm after some serious use-long time use.All in all its a superior unit in its price range especcialy if you can find one for what i paid for it.Only drawback be very carefull with the remote the black top plate scratches very easy.

I've had my AVR 85 for about a year and a half. I have never heard an AV receiver with such clarity and precise imaging before. 90 watts per channel in stereo mode sounds a little modest and frieghtened me before I got it but the 65 amps of current more than make up for it. When the AVR 85 was first released about two years ago it was definitely worth the $1600 they were asking for it. Now there are other receivers priced better that come close to comparing to the AVR 85, but the price has also dropped on the 85. In my opinion it is still the best receiver under a thousand dollars.
Those complaining about the lack of DTS, get over it. To date there are still less than 40 titles with DTS soundtracks, and every single review I have read comparing Dolby Digital AC3 to DTS has ended in a draw. On paper DTS is monumentally better than Dolby Digital, but the human ear can only hear so much. There is no difference.

Even without a 5.1 input or DTS the AVR 85 is still a five star receiver.

build, sound quality

full rich sound in h/t and stereo mode. i have used the avr-85 almost every day for two years and it has not let me down at all. i do not share the gripes about the remote except that it should be backlit. my pleasure has been derived from the audio quality if this unit in either stereo or dvd/opt. i consider this component to have been an excellent value.

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hk, nakamichi, adcomm