Harman Kardon AVR8000 Audio/Video Receiver

by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [1.09mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 21 x 9 inches ; 55 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 57 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00005Q5X1
• Item model number: AVR8000
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,239 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Home-theater, supercharged. The Harman Kardon AVR 8000 employs dual Crystal DSP processors to bring a new level of realism to movie soundtracks with THX Ultra, Surround EX, Logic 7/7.1, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, to name just a few. And with a 110-watt x 5, high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier design and 7.1-channel processing capability, the AVR 8000 handles even the most demanding source material without breaking a sweat. Equipped for MP3 playback from your computer, HDCD decoding, EzSet automatic speaker calibration, and simultaneous multi-room/multi-source audio and video.

See and hear it all, the way it was meant to be seen and heard! The AVR 8000 turns any input source, from the latest Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtrack to a vintage two-channel recording, into a stunning entertainment experience. Dual 24-bit, twin-core, Cirrus processors are combined with 192 kHz/24-bit audiophile-grade digital-to-analog converters to extract a clarity that less advanced circuitry can't handle, while a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier delivers the power. Sophisticated installations will benefit from three wide-bandwidth component video inputs, our exclusive front-panel digital inputs and outputs, and a multi-zone system complete with video and audio outputs, while everyone will enjoy the precision sound imaging made possible by the combination of THX Ultra processing and DTS or Logic 7 decoding.

Features:

• Surround Mode Indicators: The AVR 8000 features a wide range of digital and analog surround-processing modes. Experiment with the various modes, and select your favorites for watching movies, listening to music, or watching television.
• Front-Panel Display: Every step of the AVR 8000’s setup and operation is clearly indicated in its comprehensive, two-line information display.
• Source Input Indicators: The AVR 8000 delivers excellent connectivity, with the capability to handle all of your source components, including five video devices, a DVD player, a CD player, and an audio recorder. In addition, the 6-channel/8-channel direct inputs can accommodate other components with onboard surround decoding, such as DVD-Audio players or other future devices.
• Volume Control: The volume may also be changed using the remote, with the relative volume displayed on the front panel and on-screen in numbered steps.
• Power Buttons: Separate main power and system power switches allow quick turn-on using the remote control or front panel, as well as the ability to cut off all power when desired.
• Headphone Jack: Allows private listening sessions.
• Tone Controls: The tone mode control is used to access the bass and treble controls, which can be electronically adjusted using the left/right selectors.
• Surround Mode Controls: The AVR 8000 offers a wide choice of digital, matrix-encoded analog, and DSP modes for processing surround sound. We have separated the controls by mode type for faster and easier access to your favorite presentations. The main surround mode button scrolls through the menu of DSP modes (Hall 1, Hall 2, Theater, VMA Near, VMAx Far) shown in the front-panel display.
• Tuner Controls: These buttons control the operation of the tuner, including recall of up to 30 preset stations. The FM Mode button can also select a mono signal for playback of weaker stations.
• Source Control: The source button scrolls through the menu of choices of input sources shown in the front-panel display.
• Home THX Mode Selector: Press this button to engage and cycle through available THX modes, which enhance playback while other surround modes are in use. The THX modes available will vary depending on the format of the input signal.
• Dolby Surround Mode Selector: Press the Dolby selector to cycle through the digital and analog Dolby surround processing modes.
• DTS Surround Mode Selector: The DTS Surround selector lets you choose among DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete or Matrix modes, or DTS 5.1 processing.
• DTS Neo:6 Mode Selector: The DTS Neo:6 selector offers the analog DTS Neo:6 modes (Music, Movies, or Emulation).
• Front-Panel Connectors: In addition to the usual left and right audio and video inputs, the AVR 8000 also includes an S-Video input, coax, and optical digital inputs and outputs for convenient connection of gaming consoles or portable recorders, and the unique capability of switching the analog A/V input to an output for recording.

More Features:

• 110 W x 5 into 8 Ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously
• High-current (±85 Amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10 Hz – 100 kHz) amplifier design effortlessly powers the most dynamic digital sources
• Dual, matched pairs of discrete output devices for each channel
• Massive Torroidal power transformer
• Dual-amplifier power supplies, one for drivers and one for outputs
• High-grade, gold-plated, binding-post speaker terminals
• IEC detachable power cord
• Backlit remote provides manual and automatic calibration of audio output levels, and is programmable to control up to eight devices from built-in codes or using learning capability
• THX ultra-certified
• Surround EX, Dolby Digital, and DTS-ES 6.1 discrete and matrix surround and DTS Neo:6 decoding using dual, 24-Bit, twin-core crystal DSP engines
• High-resolution, ultralow-noise, 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs
• Wide-bandwidth, HDTV-ready component video switching
• Dolby Pro Logic II (movies, music, and emulation modes) surround sound is compatible with surround-encoded or stereo material but delivers detail that approaches Digital 5.1 formats
• Harman-exclusive Logic 7 cinema and music surround sound processing in 5.1 and 7.1 channels for superior soundstage imaging and playback of both surround sound and stereo recordings
• VMAx virtual surround sound provides home theater experience using only two loudspeakers
• HDCD decoding for more realistic reproduction of HDCD compact discs and enhanced playback of Non-HDCD discs
• 5- and 7-channel stereo, hall and theater DSP surround sound modes
• MP3 decoding through coaxial or optical digital (S/P-DIF) inputs enables playback of hours of music from a compatible computer
• 8-channel direct inputs for use with external surround decoders
• Channels driven; high instantaneous current capability (HCC): ±85 amps
• 7.1 preamp outputs and main amp inputs for use with external equalizers or power amplifiers, such as the Harman Kardon PA 2000 and PA 4000
• FM stereo/FM/AM tuner with 30 presets and direct-access tuning
• Five A/V inputs with S-video and four audio inputs
• Front-panel audio/video input with S-video is switchable to an output for use with video games or portable recorders
• Eight digital inputs (three optical and three coaxial on rear panel; one optical and one coaxial on front panel)
• Four digital outputs (one coax and one optical rear panel; one coax and one optical front panel)
• On-screen menu system
• Fully color-coded rear-panel connections conform to CEA standards for simplified installation
• Programmable power-up volume level
• Multi-room/multi-source system for audio and video allows users in separate rooms to listen to different digital or analog sources simultaneously
• Includes separate remote control for multi-room operation, or simplified operation in main room

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dying bread of HK electronics, June 25, 2005

By 

G. Monroy (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR8000 Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

This was the last of HKs truly high quality recievers. It just takes a quick look to see the amazing quality put into this powerhouse. ALL GOLD plated connections, torodial transformer the size of your head, almost 70 lbs!! THX ultra certification. Ultra clean power: 0.07% THD at full rated power 110w/ch with an inaudble distortion rate of 3% at over 270watts/ch all five channels driven...hard - due to its high current design. Basically, your speakers will either blow up or you will damage them severely before you hear distrotion from this reciever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars real power, 85 amps of current, very heavy, July 10, 2009

By 

James Papas "Treecat" (Gold Country California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR8000 Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

All I can say is this amp sounds better than every other amp I have owned. It is powerfull, it can be turned way up and still sounds good. It is heavy and that means one thing, transformer. If you have an amp that is advertised at 120 watts per channel, like my old Pioneer, and it weighs about 16 pounds, it is no matter what going to produce clean power. The transformer in this HK is 35 pounds of its weight alone. If you can find on of these old gems, grab it.

5.0 out of 5 stars HK AVR 8000, March 31, 2011

By 

William Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harman Kardon AVR8000 Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

Warm powerful dynamic clean! Still haven't heard anything much better other than separates. Just wish it had HDMI jacks for video. Next comparison will be to the Pioneer SC series (D class amps).