Harman Kardon DPR 1001 Digital Receiver

I purchased this receiver about a week ago, and it has fulfilled all of my expectations. I currently use it in multi-room mode with an Infinity TSS-450 system in the main room and a pair of satellites from a Logitech Z-560 computer speaker system in the second room. This receiver delivers everything I had in mind- plenty of clean power to drive smallish speakers in a smallish apartment, plus enough I/O options to connect three game consoles, a DVD/SACD player, and an MP3 jukebox with no hassles.
Prior to settling on this receiver, I purchased Harman/Kardon's AVR 330 which, although an excellent receiver (and admittedly sleeker than the DPR 1001) had a defect where it refused to drive more than two channels at a time. Although I don't care as much for the aesthetics of the DPR 1001, the fact that it is a digital path receiver makes it significantly more lightweight (about 20 pounds to the AVR 330's 40) and slimmer than a decent analog 7-channel receiver would be. While a number of audiophiles are understandably wary about the quality of "digitally" processed sound, I suspect that if the smaller form factor mentioned above seems at all appealing to you, the DPR 1001 will deliver plenty of power for your needs. The comments by another reviewer about the lack of display dimming ring true; although the text display can be dimmed or turned off, the orange mode indicators on the side (which are more obnoxious anyway) cannot be modified.
Also, this glowing review should be prefaced by the fact that I paid $409 for this receiver open-box at Circuit City; while the original price of over $1000 for this receiver seems rather ludicrous to me, I feel that it would be a worthy investment at a little over $500. Overall, I feel that this is an excellent receiver for a buyer that is somewhat below true "audiophile" status but is interested in assembling a serious system with good, clear sound. I receommend considering Harman's current AVR line seriously while keeping in mind the excellent value that the DPR 1001 can be if you're able to find one in a local retail store.

This receiver is fantastic. The number and flexibility of the inputs is amazing for something this size. I replaced a very outdated AVR 20 MKII with the DPR 1001 and am so glad I waited. The digital outputs from my CD and DVD players and the DirecTV DVR box are finally usable.

The remote is somewhat confusing at first, but becomes second nature after a short time. And the multitude of surround options is wonderful. The DPR even remembers different surround options for different inputs. There are 30 FM memory selections... good luck filling them all!

I have the DPR hooked up to Infinity speakers... Kappa 6.1 Series 2 fronts, Sterling video center, Sterling 2003 rears and a BU2 powered sub. I had almost forgotten how good these speakers sound. I was planning to replace the speakers too, but now I'm having second thoughts!!

The only thing I miss about my AVR is the ability to dim the receiver display. It doesn't take anything away from the DPR... but a note to anyone at HK reading this: the display dim option on the AVR was a very nice addition!!

Well, call me spoiled or call me cheap, but I waited a long time to begin to upgrade my A/V systems. I knew I needed something that would be my "server", and the Harman Kardon DPR 1001 is a great choice. I could've spent more, but why? This baby gives me everything I need to upgrade my listening and viewing pleasures. The receiver was easy to hook up to my existing television, speakers, and CD/DVD, and the types of connections you can make are only limited by what your other peripherals have. Digital co-ax, fiber optic, you name it, the HK 1001 has it. I've even figured out the remote control, which for me is like discovering anti-gravity. This piece offers value and excellent performance. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to put their home A/V system at a new level.

I just purchased this receiver less than a week ago and I am amazed at the value and apparent quality of the piece, especially considering the currently discounted price. The sound is clean, and answering to perhaps one of my biggest concerns, 50 digital watts per channel is more than adequate for a basic home theatre/stereo system. It blows my 80 watt, 2-channel analog (piece of junk) JVC amp out of the water! I am so happy I bought this receiver!

As other reviewers have noted, the sound is clean, perhaps "too clean" for some audiophiles, however I play reggae, trance, and rock music, loud, and it sounds great! There is adequate bass, and I suspect the addition of a powered subwoofer will take it over the top - that is next on my list.

I suspect that some users who wrote reviews did not have the desire or patience to work through the somewhat laborious set-up required to optimize the sound. While the setup requires a somewhat sizeable time commitment, once you finish it is unlikely that you will ever have to deal with it again, at least until you make a change to your system. It is worth it because an accurate setup results in the cleanest sound I have ever heard, no matter what the source (DVD, CD, PC, TV/Cable, Laptop, Tape, Tuner, etc...I have all 7 of these sources hooked up). 6 of the inputs have connections on the back, while the seventh is made through the jacks on the front of the machine.

I think the biggest asset this receiver brings to the table, besides the crystal-clear sound, is the fact that each of the digital inputs can be mapped and assigned to any number of the seven available sources. There are more than enough digital inputs (3 coax, 3 optical) and outputs (1 dedicated coax, one dedicated optical), owing in part to the fact that one set of input jacks can be reversed from their default setting to become outputs - leaving you with two digital ins, and two digital outs (both coax and optical).

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT, esp. for $500, there is no better value anywhere! And in the words of another reviewer, "This is the best purchase I have ever maid!!!" I recommend that reviewer purchase spell check next!

This system has been one of the best buys i ever maid. While some might shy away from this recever becaues of the little power out put, but if you put good speakers with it, you will have a spectacular suround sound experiunce.