EQUIPMENT HISTORY:
Everything I am describing below is IMPORTANT, read it please!
This amplifier is part of my "collection" of all things audio, both professional and consumer gear. I like to listen to all types of audio equipment, look inside and see the build quality and just appreciate the engineering skills (or lack of) in the early days of audio equipment.
My previous sound engineer wanted some multi-channel gear to have around one of the studios and this was one system we tried out for a short while but we were not really into multi-channel audio so after the novelty wore off, this AVR130 went into the backroom, along with tons of other gear.
Well, my now wife says "for goodness sake, get rid of that mountain of gear" so them's my orders ... out they all go.
THE CONDITION OF THIS EQUIPMENT IS CLEARLY STATED BELOW, BOTH COSMETICALLY AND ELECTRICALLY
There is no warranty, there are no returns (unless it is not operating as indicated in this description) - but I am very thorough and do not "gloss over" any issues I might discover!
HARMAN KARDON 5.1 Channel Receiver
Harman calls this a 5.1 system but it is in reality a 5 channel audio system plus sub woofer output.
Model: AVR130
Designed in USA
Assembled in China (to Harman Kardon's strict specifications)
230 ~ 240V model
NOT a standard Australian plug fitted though! See my notes below about this.
Released to the Australian market around 2004
Original RRP approximately A$600 at the time of release
BRIEF TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
System audio frequency response: 10Hz ~ 130Khz
Audio amplifier frequency response: 20Hz ~ 20Khz
Total Harmonic Distortion (Full Output into 8 Ohms): 0.07%
Signal To Noise ratio: 100dB
Triple crossover function, this allows the user to set the optimum crossover point for each set of speakers (Front, Rear, Centre), for example 40Hz for the main speakers, 80Hz for the center, and 120Hz for the surround speakers.
Decoders built in:
Dolby Digital
DTS
Dolby Pro Logic
Dolby Pro Logic II
Dolby 3 Stereo
Dolby Digital
Logic 7
VMAx
Preset Digital Sound Processor choices: 5ch stereo, Hall, Movie, Music, Theater, VMAx
Power output capability: 45W RMS per channel (5)
Connections available:
5.1 channel audio line-in, AM antenna, FM antenna, S-Video input, S-Video output, SPDIF input, SPDIF output, audio line-in, audio line-out, composite video/audio input, composite video/audio output, headphones, monitor output, speakers output, subwoofer output
Suitable for use with CD players (including SACD), DVD players, TV's, Cable box, Cassette deck, Satellite TV system
NOTE: these are all "line level inputs" and there is NO ability to directly connect a turntable, you will need an external RIAA preamp to look after any vinyl requirements.
D/A Converter used: 24bit / 192kHz
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Optical Digital Input
-
Optical Digital Output
-
Coaxial Digital Input
-
Coaxial Digital Output
2x switched 240V AC outputs at the rear (2x round pin type) for connection to auxiliary equipment.
Dimensions: 440mm wide x 168mm height x 382mm deep
Weight (before packing): 11Kg
User Manual is supplied (good readable pdf copy on a CDr - 48 pages)
This equipment has a LOT of facilities and functions, for a detailed review of the equipment you could try HERE
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Overall, very good condition.
Case is NOT dented (it has not been dropped!)
No significant scratching, a couple of the top of the case with one towards the rear being the heaviest (short scratch)
Front panel is largely unmarked except in a couple of spots I can see some superficial marks to the metalised plastic coating (God I hate it when they make plastic look like a metal!)
The three small knobs on the right hand side have some "topside" rubbing to this same metal coating over the plastic knob.
COMMENT: Those touch buttons across the middle and below the display have labeling but geez Harman Kardon!, you would think you would make them readable! The labeling is a light blue colour on a silver background and I found these extremely difficult to read.
The blue fluorescent display is a joy to behold, clear/sharp and bright.
No physical issues with any knobs/buttons and none are missing!
Rear panel is very clean, all sockets are shiny and bright.
Speaker binding posts are the screw down type, they will NOT accept banana plugs. The hole for the speaker cable seems quite large but such a dog to get into when working from the front of the equipment!
Like the front, no rear connectors etc have any damage - very nice condition.
TESTING:
Well constructed in a logical fashion, multi-boards with easy access to each.
As you would expect, a large AC power transformer to the left hand side but this makes the whole equipment rather "left side heavy" unlike a Rotel for instance which cleverly places their large toroids right in the centre of the case.
I have not tested every single function & feature of this equipment but made some basic tests and evaluations to check the overall condition of the equipment.
AC Power input (comments):
The rear label clearly indicates this is the 230~240V AC model but it is fitted with a 2x round pin plug! I have used an adapter for my testing, this adapter will be supply (it just piggy backs onto the existing moulded plug) There is NO earth pin used, the AC lead appears to be original.
NO REMOTE IS SUPPLIED (Missing in action) so all tests have been made manually
Here we go ...
Push the left hand side power switch, it glows RED (as does the switch directly below) - this is STANDBY
Push the lower button (STANDBY) and she comes to life!
Indicators change to Blue and the famous Blue Halo ring around the volume control comes alive!
The large flourescent blue display comes alive, although this is only showing basic information only, such as radio station information, input selected, operating mode etc...
It is of no assistance "seeing" your system being setup, you should refer to the manual - this takes quite some time to setup (at least for me!)
AUDIO SYSTEM:
After the painful process of connecting up 5 sets of loudspeakers (quite a task just for testing) I started producing sweet music!
Every channel is working fine. That's what I don't like about multi-channel systems - just 2 channels is hard enough to keep control of let alone 5 of them, lots more can go wrong!
Even though rated at 45W RMS each channel, that is from 5 channels at the same time (5x 45W) so you can effectively blast yourself with 220+Watts of great music! That is "quite" loud.
I did wind this equipment "right up" and the bass power, definition, and dynamic punch are outstanding, the audio system is well under-rated and capable of good dynamic audio response.
All the usual controls (Volume, Bass, Treble, Balance, DSP etc) are all working fine and make no noise when being operated.
I had a look at the power output devices used (2SD2390 Darlington's) which are very capable transistors (Ic 10A Vceo 150V), no hybrids used here!
I have been running this system continuous over the last 48 hours at a medium sound level and kept an eye (actually my hand!) on the heatsinks inside to make sure the system is not under stress - absolutely no issues here at all, runs just nice and warm at normal sound listening levels and even across the whole heatsink, indicating that all channels are running very comfortably.
RADIO:
AM & FM (Digital tuning)
RDS capable (shows the station identification (FM) in text format, this is NOT the same as DAB. RDS has largely been superseded by DAB which provides more information such as the song being played etc) This RDS feature is still very useful as it makes it very easy for the user to know exactly what station they are listening to.
Checked both AM & FM - no issues with sensitivity, signal to noise ratio or audio quality, very nice!
Listened to my favourite Community Radio Station - Go SWR (99.9)! Always support your community radio station or JJJ if you want something more than the "commercial pulp" that abounds on FM.
ALL OTHER INPUTS (Line Level)
Checked the analog inputs using an external professional Studer CD player as the source.
No issues with any input, great sound
DIGITAL INPUTS:
Using coaxial SDIF input from a source Marantz broadcast CD player and also a Digidesign digital interface system, I checked the digital domain out as well.
When playing from a digital source, the sample rate briefly appears on the display - normally this is 44.1Khz but I also checked 48Khz streams from my Digidesign equipment - nice audio, no hic hic hic buzzz issues which can happen if the D/A cannot cope with the incoming digital stream.
Again, absolutely no issues at all
NOTE: Nice touch Harman, they have placed digital and analog inputs at the front panel (behind the two covers on the right hand side) so at least you don't need to go hunting around on the rear panel for the correct socket to use.
SUMMARY:
So many bells and whistles but I came to really enjoy this equipment - it's the sound that matters and this AVR130 does this extremely well.
While I did check the running temperature of the system with the case off, once I put it back on I do notice quite a warm (not hot!) air flow from the top of the case. There is plenty of topside ventilation but it would be sensible not to block this - don't go placing objects on the top which may create a restricted airflow.
I had fun, am still enjoying it but being very "old school" I will also look forward to reverting to my vintage NAD gear - life is a lot simplier!
I am confident in offering this equipment in good working condition after being extensively examined, tested and now safely put away while it waits for a new owner.
Please don't forget, that when shipping via my website (this one) I will ship FREE anywhere around Australia
The free shipping is automatically provided as an option in the checkout area of my website, just select the FREE SHIPPING option.
