Review on Premium Harman Kardon AVR-154 Home Theater Receiver - Discontinued by Manufacturer by Adan Hudson

I definitely consider myself an "audiophile" since my downstairs system is in the $30-$40k price range (although the price isn't necessarily true to quality, but my individual components are amazing and have been handpicked over years of trial and error). However, this receiver is intended for my everyday Upstairs setup where the family will watch TV together during the day or early evening and sometimes watch a movie and we like the good sound over our 5.1 Upstairs system too. If we want to be "serious" about music or movies, we go downstairs! So I was even more shocked that this relatively inexpensive receiver looked and sounded so good! And even more surprised that I was able to buy it brand new from Revain for the same or less than similar used or refurbished systems elsewhere (ebay etc.). There are cheaper receivers out there but they are definitely inferior in quality and/or don't have 1080p HDMI or don't switch it! flipping through really 20-30 different sound fields like reverb, disco, reverb, ambient and whatever else they offer) gives me a good upmix of two channels to my five or seven (natural sounding, not too synthetic or mechanical) along with the usually great Dolby Digital and DTS, and I'm fine (and of course a good six-channel analogue signal, when using a SACD OR HD-DVD source)! And the fact that everyone who goes to Best Buy, Circuit City or Walmart is "sold" there. I almost overlooked the HK AVRs when I saw them in Costco stores (but I've bought several large plasma/LCD TVs from them and they're all great), but I'm glad I got a closer look threw it! The Harmon Kardon hit the mark perfectly with this AVR 154 receiver. It's a sleek looking receiver with a high WAF (female acceptance factor) with a very simple, uncluttered front panel that looks good both on and off (unlike Japanese receivers which seem to do that). compete to see who can fit the most knobs and knobs into the smallest space the quickest). Rated power 30W x 5 channels (which is a very real power rating and you should notice low distortion across the frequency range from 5Hz to 30kHz where many Japanese models only offer their rating at a frequency like 1kHz or with only two front channels ) will suffice for almost any subwoofer/satellite combination, but if I were to use it for full range speakers I might want to look at the next model that offers 50W x 7 channels (although it might be worth trying the cheaper first model). I have replaced an older Sony ES (Elevated Standard) CD/DVD/SACD player in one unit (which is 110 watts per channel) with an AVR 154 and I have heard no difference in performance compared to the 30 watt HK on channel. ! Wow! my only concern is that it doesn't scale digital video (or on screen/GUI; it requires a completely separate video connection). like HDMI 480p or 720p at 1080p, although it does a great job of switching or routing original signals. For scaling I have to upgrade to the next higher receiver, the AVR 254. That minor annoyance aside, this is a very good bang for the buck receiver. I would recommend this receiver to anyone who wants a world class receiver on a very limited budget. Great sound, great looks, easy to use (after assembly, since the quick start guide and manual are a bit confusing)! Highly recommended. I can try their high end AVR 254 and if so I will give my opinion on that as well. For scaling I have to go to the next higher receiver, the AVR 254, gear up. That minor annoyance aside, this is a very good bang for the buck receiver. I would recommend this receiver to anyone who wants a world class receiver on a very limited budget. Great sound, great looks, easy to use (after assembly, since the quick start guide and manual are a bit confusing)! Highly recommended. I can try their high end AVR 254 and if so I will give my opinion on that as well. For scaling I have to upgrade to the next higher receiver, the AVR 254. That minor annoyance aside, this is a very good bang for the buck receiver. I would recommend this receiver to anyone who wants a world class receiver on a very limited budget. Great sound, great optics, easy to use (after assembly, since the quick start guide and manual are a bit confusing)! Highly recommended.