Harman Kardon AVR 7550HD Flagship Receiver
Harman Kardon AVR 7550HD
Summary
- Product Name: AVR 7550HD
- Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
- Review Date: January 09, 2009 02:00
- MSRP: $2,799
- First Impression: Pretty Cool
- Specifications
-
Executive Overview
Harman
Kardon displayed their new AVR 7550HD 7.2-channel audio/video receiver. It
features HDMI v1.3a (with Deep Color support) and can pass video signals to
1080p. The receiver employs Faroudja DCDi Cinema digital-video processing utilizing the leading-edge Torino
chipset (FLI30436), providing HD upscaling and enhanced 1080p image quality
from all video sources.
The
receiver is among the first to include Dolby Volume
technology, an innovative approach to delivering consistent
volume levels across a wide variety of content, channel programming or input
sources. It is also the first receiver to utilize the latest-generation Texas
Instruments Aureus DA710
audio digital-signal processor in a dual-DSP implementation.
The AVR 7550HD incorporates a newly developed high-definition full-color on-screen menu system that utilizes both pictures and text to guide users in setting up their home theater system.
The
receiver offers Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; a built-in USB port to accommodate a USB memory
stick or streaming audio from a computer; an Internet radio tuner; automated
room-equalization and system calibration; multiroom audio and video capability
with A-BUS connectivity; XM Ready capability; and
more. It is supplied with the Harman Kardon docking station for iPod at no
extra charge. The Bridge II enables enhanced audio and video playback and
remote-control capabilities when a compatible iPod is connected.
This is a new venture for Harman, having formerly topped out at $799 with the AVR 354. Harman hasn't yet proved itself in the high-end receiver line-up, at least not since the introduction of HDMI and video processing, so it will be nice to see how well this new flagship product is received in the marketplace.
The AVR 7550HD will be available in Winter of 2009 for $2,799.
For more information visit www.harman.com.
Recent Forum Posts:
HK and NAD know how deliver on the amplifier sections, thats for sure.
AVDOCTOR;539868
. This, in my thinking, is the only reason to own a Harman Kardon instead of a competeing product - they SOUND better, and its really that simple. As soon as I sacrifice a couple month's income, it would be nice to know that the scheemers in the business don't already have something to replace HDMI with!
Along with Marantz. I've got a 10 year old 880 I'm still using in this room for a 2.1 system. The problem with this Marantz is no real bass management, only a single xo point @ 100htz.
I don't know if the newer Marantz are as good, now they're part of Denon.
As for my HK635, the auto setup/eq has stopped working, as far as it doesn't "hear" the pink noise. It will send pink noise to each speaker, but then give me a message that it didn't happen and to check the speaker connections and try it again. And its not the mic, I checked it with a VOM.
DD66000;507167Me too! I'm on Disability now, though, and the cash doesn't compare to when I was working in the A/V industry. I took a killing on my AVR 500 to step up to the AVR 635 primarily to get component video switching ( instead of s-video ),with practically the same amplifier. This, in my thinking, is the only reason to own a Harman Kardon instead of a competeing product - they SOUND better, and its really that simple. As soon as I sacrifice a couple month's income, it would be nice to know that the scheemers in the business don't already have something to replace HDMI with!
I'd like to get my hands on one of those, to replace my AVR 635
