Harman Kardon AVR 7550HD 7.2 Channel 110 Watt Receiver

What took me so long to buy it? Well I have an older Harman Kardon AVR 745 and wanted to upgrade to a receiver that had Upscaling to 1080p and the latest greatest Dolby HD and DTS Master, with as good of sound reproduction as the Harman's. So after lots of research and no way to do a side by side comparison at a store with my speakers and room lay out, had to go off of reviews, so in latter 2009 purchased from an ebay store the Onkyo TX NR808 as a replacement. Well after 25 days of having the Onkyo, and thank goodness I purchased it from a very good store I sent it back and got all my money back, loved all the Onkyo's features but the sound reproduction compared to my old HK 745 was horrible, even had a friend that is a Onkyo fan come over and try to adjust it for the best possible sound and did not work, he was even impressed with old HK 745 sound reproduction, needless to say if you are looking only for upscaling and not worried about realistic sound reproduction, then the Onkyo is awesome. So then in late Oct 2010 decided after much more research and reviews, purchased the Yamaha RX-A3000. Really liked all the features better than the Onkyo and upscaling was incredible! But, the sound reproduction from the Yamaha was really disappointing compared to the older HK 745. So if you are after upscaling and ease of use then the Yamaha is awesome except for realistic sound reproduction. So on Feb. 26 2011 I ordered the Harman Kardon AVR 7550hd and recieved on March 8 2011, hooked up the next day and let me tell you this is the most impressive Receiver I have ever heard!! Have a friend that has the Denon AVR5308 and now would really like to do a head to head comparison!! The HK AVR 7550HD is still breaking in and is more impressive every day! Networking is awesome, streaming SnakeNet Metal Radio as I write this review!! This unit sounds better than its older brother the HK 745 with more power than the 745!! My custom built speakers have really came to life now, hearing things I never heard before! The power output of this reciever is incredible with clarity that is lifelike, no distortion at loud levels, loud enough to leave my ears ringing!! Have no sound meter to see how loud it will get, but it does loud and clear!! The only con is the video upscaling, that is disappointing, it would be nice but my OPPO Blu Ray does an awesome job upscaling. Ipod playback on the included Bridge II is incredible!! Fast changing from one device to another device!! I do not see how Harman can top this receiver!!! If you are having doubts about purchasing a Harman receiver (and yes there have been some bad HK Products out there and I have my share of them but Harman has always done right in fixing them), do not hesitate to buy this receiver. Now looking back I wished I would have bought it sooner!! What could be a negative point on this reciever, hmmmm? The video upscaling for 1, but not a deal breaker. 2) If weight is an issue, then at 44 lbs unboxed another issue for some, but I look at it as built like a Tank!! 3) Puts out less heat than the Onkyo, lots less, but more than the Yamaha. 4) Awkward remote, but it is functional. 5) Upscaling, but again not a deal breaker. I have rambled enough, do not second guess, this is the best reciever on the market as far as sound reproduction for something under $3,000.00 and would really like to do a head to head against the way more expensive Denon!

Excellent, powerful AVR. Has all the features I wanted and needed. Added 120mm fan to the top and keeps it cool with even an all day movie or music use. Well worth the money IMO.

i bought the harmon/kardan 8.1.11 today is 8.10.11 i do not Evan have any clue when they will send me my stuff.i am afraid to do bossiness with these people.