Harman AVR 35 Receiver
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**AVR25 MK2** - a graceful dinosaur
Pros
almost separate-like audio quality, natural Pro-Logic decoding, timeless design
Cons
no 5.1(?), mediocre remote
Recommended it?
Yes
(there is no place to review the AVR25 MK2, circa 1996-7)
Synopsis:
The 25 is from H/K's line-up two generations ago, when the 75 & 85 were top of the line. It is a remarkable Pro-Logic receiver that is biased towards music. Overall, it provides a great "natural" cinema experience and a remarkable music experience - the general consensus is that few manufactures provide this great of a combination.
Specs:
75W x 2 (stereo), 65W x 3 & 25W x 2 (Pro-Logic), stereo/hall/stadium/theater/Pro-Logic/Dolby 3 stereo modes. Proprietary Pro-Logic decoder from specialist Lexicon.
Design/Quality:
Great and timeless. It is minimalist, very black, and clean in a typical H/K way. It will age better than units from almost any other manufacturer. It has almost every necessary input and output, but has no 5.1 input for an outboard Dolby Digital/DTS decoder. The remote is competent and easy to use, but nowhere near as intuitive and well designed as the current models or the ones included with high-end Sony?s/ES?s or NAD?s.
The build quality feels more substantial than most of today's receivers. The heft of the dials and buttons, overall weight and size make me think of our 1970's Marantz receivers and Tandberg components more than any of the H/K's contemporaries.
It has been used fairly heavily over the past 4 years and it has not had a single problem. The remote had been dropped numerous times and had to be replaced ($25), but the unit itself still looks & performs in new condition.
Cinema performance:
My current setup is with a Mitsubishi HS-U781 SVHS VCR, Hitachi CX2701B 27" TV, H/K FL8450 5-disc CD, 5 NHT SuperZeros & an NHT SW1P 8? powered sub, all Audioquest interconnects & Monster Cable 12 gauge cable. The original VCR was a great Proscan PSVR71.
The first thing you'll notice is how natural, if not subdued, the sound is. This is a trait shared with equipment from noted British manufacture NAD. I feel that this may turn a lot of people off, as most people seem to buy home theater equipment to "wow" them. Sony and Sony ES models are particularly good in this regard; I've been very impressed with Sony's DB models, the ones that borrow components from the ES ? they replicate the ?blow you away? kind of cinema sound as well as their ES counterparts for much less money.
That said, those other receivers will certainly impress you more than the H/K in terms of outright "cinema effect", which is definitely a plus when it comes to action movies, sci-fi, thrillers...pretty much anything that puts an emphasis on the sonic un-real. The H/K simply sounds more natural and it's easier to lose yourself in the "experience." People walking indoors, conversations, busy restaurant scenes etc all sound more real and enveloping than they do even in many Dolby Digital receivers.
TV performance is great and it softens the "soundstage" sound of many shows. Sitcom laughtracks aren't as intrusive, which sounds bizarre but it is true. Vocals tend to be very clear with good separation, a nice touch when watching news programs with several hosts or guests.
Audio performance:
Really amazing and very close to the performance of separates. A number of reviewers at the time felt that it closely trailed the feel and sound of H/K?s Signature separate line of that generation. The bias towards ?softer, natural? tones really shines in audio. It is best suited for detailed music and the closer the music gets towards an overemphasized, cinema-like sound (dance, rap, etc.) the worse it will perform. However, I would still prefer hearing the H/K at its worse/worst than other receivers at their best.
Value:
It was great for me because Dolby Digital receivers were still pushing $1000 at the time. The AVR25 MK2 has aged incredibly well and people still think it?s new. When I get around to getting a lasting digital setup (H/K?s AVR300/500 + DVD5?), I will probably retire this unit to the bedroom or a future den.
There?s no reason to get rid of it. I really think it will probably last 10-15 more years.
If you find one in great condition for a reasonable price ($200?), I would get it with the intention of using it primarily for music and analog cinema. The lack of 5.1 inputs just makes it unreasonable to buy for a primary A/V setup.
Synopsis:
The 25 is from H/K's line-up two generations ago, when the 75 & 85 were top of the line. It is a remarkable Pro-Logic receiver that is biased towards music. Overall, it provides a great "natural" cinema experience and a remarkable music experience - the general consensus is that few manufactures provide this great of a combination.
Specs:
75W x 2 (stereo), 65W x 3 & 25W x 2 (Pro-Logic), stereo/hall/stadium/theater/Pro-Logic/Dolby 3 stereo modes. Proprietary Pro-Logic decoder from specialist Lexicon.
Design/Quality:
Great and timeless. It is minimalist, very black, and clean in a typical H/K way. It will age better than units from almost any other manufacturer. It has almost every necessary input and output, but has no 5.1 input for an outboard Dolby Digital/DTS decoder. The remote is competent and easy to use, but nowhere near as intuitive and well designed as the current models or the ones included with high-end Sony?s/ES?s or NAD?s.
The build quality feels more substantial than most of today's receivers. The heft of the dials and buttons, overall weight and size make me think of our 1970's Marantz receivers and Tandberg components more than any of the H/K's contemporaries.
It has been used fairly heavily over the past 4 years and it has not had a single problem. The remote had been dropped numerous times and had to be replaced ($25), but the unit itself still looks & performs in new condition.
Cinema performance:
My current setup is with a Mitsubishi HS-U781 SVHS VCR, Hitachi CX2701B 27" TV, H/K FL8450 5-disc CD, 5 NHT SuperZeros & an NHT SW1P 8? powered sub, all Audioquest interconnects & Monster Cable 12 gauge cable. The original VCR was a great Proscan PSVR71.
The first thing you'll notice is how natural, if not subdued, the sound is. This is a trait shared with equipment from noted British manufacture NAD. I feel that this may turn a lot of people off, as most people seem to buy home theater equipment to "wow" them. Sony and Sony ES models are particularly good in this regard; I've been very impressed with Sony's DB models, the ones that borrow components from the ES ? they replicate the ?blow you away? kind of cinema sound as well as their ES counterparts for much less money.
That said, those other receivers will certainly impress you more than the H/K in terms of outright "cinema effect", which is definitely a plus when it comes to action movies, sci-fi, thrillers...pretty much anything that puts an emphasis on the sonic un-real. The H/K simply sounds more natural and it's easier to lose yourself in the "experience." People walking indoors, conversations, busy restaurant scenes etc all sound more real and enveloping than they do even in many Dolby Digital receivers.
TV performance is great and it softens the "soundstage" sound of many shows. Sitcom laughtracks aren't as intrusive, which sounds bizarre but it is true. Vocals tend to be very clear with good separation, a nice touch when watching news programs with several hosts or guests.
Audio performance:
Really amazing and very close to the performance of separates. A number of reviewers at the time felt that it closely trailed the feel and sound of H/K?s Signature separate line of that generation. The bias towards ?softer, natural? tones really shines in audio. It is best suited for detailed music and the closer the music gets towards an overemphasized, cinema-like sound (dance, rap, etc.) the worse it will perform. However, I would still prefer hearing the H/K at its worse/worst than other receivers at their best.
Value:
It was great for me because Dolby Digital receivers were still pushing $1000 at the time. The AVR25 MK2 has aged incredibly well and people still think it?s new. When I get around to getting a lasting digital setup (H/K?s AVR300/500 + DVD5?), I will probably retire this unit to the bedroom or a future den.
There?s no reason to get rid of it. I really think it will probably last 10-15 more years.
If you find one in great condition for a reasonable price ($200?), I would get it with the intention of using it primarily for music and analog cinema. The lack of 5.1 inputs just makes it unreasonable to buy for a primary A/V setup.
