electronics: HARMAN KARDON AVR-7200 Home-Theater Audio Receiver ...

electronics: HARMAN KARDON AVR-7200 Home-Theater Audio Receiver ...

electronics:


	• HARMAN KARDON AVR-7200 Home-Theater Audio Receiver Harman Kardon Harman Kardon average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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Harman outdid themselves.

I purchased this a number of years ago, probably around 2003. There hasn't been a glitch or problem with the AVR 7200 the entire time. It is extremely heavy and well built. Features are plentiful, except for a lack of HDMI (which was not finalized in its present form at the time) and DTS 24/96. The AVR7300 adds that DTS mode, and the AVR8000 includes THX certification, which I consider to be worthless. The higher the model number of these three amps, the slightly more power you have, but essentially they are similar designs. They all have EX and ES 7.1 capability.

The big exception in similarity between these three, arguably the finest Harman has ever produced, amps is the AVR8000's Analog Devices DACs in contrast to the others' Cirrus Logics. The CLs sound to me very similar to the Emu 1212m pro sound card's CS4398. The Harman's implementation is noticeably smoother and more refined, the Emu's slighty more resolved, particularly in the highs, but they otherwise have the same presentation. I wouldn't be surprised if the only difference was the opamps and caps. Of the two, I like the Harman's DA converting better than the Emu, but I could live with either. The AVR7200's are superior to about a dozen different converting-capable standalone gear I've compared it to. The only ones I would really put in the Harman's league are an imported universal Pioneer SACD/DVDA player I have and an TDK delta-sigma 24/96 setup. Though there is some occasional material I prefer on one of those over the Harman, for the most part the Harman wins out. I also have a modded Denon HDCD player and the only thing it rivals the Harman anymore with is certain HDCD disks, like Silva Recordings.

The AVR7200 is 24/192 decoding capable in stereo mode, but you need either a pro sound card with that output capability in SPIDIF or one of the rare DVD/Bluray players on the market that could output that format. For the most part, you are better off decoding in the player itself and inputting the analog into the 8 Channel Direct inputs. Obviously, that's what you should do with DVD-A and SACD. Most DVD-As are locked out for SPIDIF, anyway. It would be nice if Harman came out with a new firmware that added ADAT or 24/96 surround compatibility, but that's highly unlikely.

The 8-ch direct inputs have optional DVD Audio bass management modes that will kick on the Cirrus Logic Twin Core DSP A/D converter & processor chips. This allows you to crossover every pair of speakers at a different frequency, but keep in mind that you are AD/DA converting all that pure analog multichannel goodness. It's a nice feature, but you're better off just making sure you have sufficiently full range speakers not to need it. Otherwise, just use the Harman's own converters by sending the material in digital. While this feature is intended for DVD-A and SACD, it seems to defeat the purpose of these audiophile standards, in spite of the good quality 24/96 conversion capability of the Twin Cores.

Speaking of purity, the stereo analog inputs are all capable of going pure analog direct. I had originally assumed this was not possible and strictly used the 8-ch directs in the back for analog. Well, tonight I did a series of tests with tones, high output preamps, and pro meters. It turns out the Harman manual is indeed accurate on this topic. When an analog stereo input is selected, DSP is Off, and the fronts are on Large, the signal is sent directly to the volume attenuator which then goes on to the main output stage for the front amps. These years I've been sweating going through complex arrangements, and it was all unnecessary. Furthermore, the Multiroom mode can be used to biamp speakers using the rear surrounds. This too is pure analog direct.

Unfortunately, there isn't a dedicated Biamp mode, but you can either duplicate the input selection under Multiroom (requires more work when adjusting volumes) or you can run a short pair of quality interconnects from the front pre outs to the input of your choice that will be selected under Multiroom. There is just a minor volume difference that must be compensated for with -5 on the Multiroom volume. It's about a third of a dB too much, but it's close enough. Gives a little kick to the bass, at least. Volume changes on the master volume will affect the pre out in this way and simplify matters. Again, it's annoying that Harman just didn't include a Biamp setting under Advanced, but this technique is sufficient to make up for this oversight.

The remote control is classy, can learn commands from other IR remotes, and has punch through capability for things like master volume or channel changing. EZsetup uses a sound meter in the front of the remote to automatically adjust volume and delay in a surround setup. Just make sure the remote is pointing the correct directions and volume is sufficiently loud. The tone controls are in the analog domain and specific to the fronts only. They can be bypassed with a tiny little button on the front. I like the quality binding posts in the back. They are still as sturdy as day one. It should also be mentioned that the amps themselves are conservatively rated. Total harmonic distortion is actually less than half what is in the specs and with even 5 channels running at once it won't clip until it goes over 140 watts on all channels at once.

I have compared the sound to the much lauded vintage monster Sansui G-9700 and the rare oldie JVC R-1X. The Sansui clearly has about double the power compared to the Harman in stereo and better bass dampening for extreme rapid-fire rhythms or very complex passages (like DJ blends). It was not nearly as liquid, warm, extended, or refined as the Harman, though. There was also an odd shouty, overly dynamic presentation to the upper mids. The JVC has a lovely organic rightness to the mids and highs. Side imaging and depth was excellent at low to moderate volumes, possibly better than the Harman due to low level resolving capablilities of the JVC at those lower volumes. Watching Bladerunner with the JVC running the top half of my speakers and the Sansui running the bottom woofers was a joy, getting the best of both vintage amps. But the JVC is a low power amp, lacks the Harman's transient snap & lower midrange warmth, and somewhat lacked the ability to create the same center fill. While the Sansui had the better dampening running the low-end drivers, the bass did not sound as rich and harmonicly layered as the Harman. The combo did a lot right, though, in spite of its limitations. So back in went the AVR7200. The difference was immediate and not subtle in the slightest. Biamping with the Harman improved things even more.

My biggest complaint (other than biamp hassle) is the headphone jack. Comparing it to even the lowest-end Pioneer receiver in production right now, the AVR7200's headphone amp is cold, analytical, and a generally poor ambassador for this unit's high pedigree. I have no doubt people have misjudged the Harman's sonic signature, particularly of the pre-amp stage and DACs, due to this oversight. It's not a terrible jack, but they could have done much better with a little more effort. Oh well, at least they included a headphone jack. My brother's ultra-expensive Rotel didn't include one and also threw in a problem with his rear surrounds humming. Nice. I think he spent twice what I did...which was just a few bucks more than my NHT ST-4 speakers. And unlike the pretend heatsinks on the Rotel, the Harman's big heatsinks inside are fully functional.

So in conclusion, if you plan on not sending video through your receiver, using its headphone jack as an audiophile source, or decoding DTS 24/96 and can find one of the AVR7200/7300/8000 amps for a good price, I highly recommend them.

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The AVR 7200's seven-channel, high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier is the most powerful ever in a Harman Kardon receiver. A comprehensive bass management system with Triple Crossover selection makes certain that low-frequency sound goes to the right place no matter what type of speakers you own or input you use, including DVD-Audio or SACD. Multiroom options range from assignable rear-channel amplifiers to an A-BUS Ready port, which allows complete remote-room control and amplification with only one Cat. 5 wire connection. A preprogrammed remote with an LCD display and EzSet, an RS-232 port and a complete range of surround processing options all contribute to the AVR 7200's spectacular music and home theater performance.

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