Harman-Kardon AVR 120 owner manual Introduction, 3INTRODUCTION, Description and Features

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon! With the purchase of a Harman Kardon

AVR 120 you are about to begin many years of listening enjoyment. The AVR 120 has been custom-designed to provide all the excitement and detail of movie soundtracks and every nuance of musical selections. With onboard Dolby* Digital and DTS® decoding, the AVR 120 delivers six discrete channels of audio that take advantage of the digital soundtracks from the latest DVD and LD releases and Digital Television broadcasts.

While complex digital systems are hard

at work within the AVR 120 to make all of this happen, hookup and operation are simple. Color-keyed connections and a programmable remote control make the AVR 120 easy to use. To obtain the maximum enjoyment from your new receiver, we urge you to take a few min- utes to read through this manual. This will ensure that connections to speakers, source playback units and other external devices are made properly. In addition, a few minutes spent learning the functions of the various con- trols will enable you to take advantage of all the power the AVR 120 is able to deliver.

If you have any questions about this product, its installation or its operation, please contact your retailer or custom installer. They are your best local sources of information.

Description and Features

The AVR 120 is among the most versatile and multifeatured A/V receivers available, incorpo- rating a wide range of listening options. In addition to Dolby Digital and DTS decoding for digital sources, a broad choice of analog sur- round modes are available for use with sources such as CD, VCR, TV broadcasts and the

AVR 120’s own FM/AM tuner. Along with the latest Dolby Pro Logic* II decoding technology, Dolby 3 Stereo and custom Hall and Theater modes, only Harman Kardon receivers offer Logic 7® to create a wider, more enveloping field environment and more defined fly-overs and pans. Another Harman Kardon exclusive is VMAx®, which uses proprietary processing to create an open, spacious sound field even when only two front speakers are available. Finally, the AVR 120 is among the very few A/V receivers that offer decoding of MP3 data, so that you may listen to the latest music selec- tions directly from compatible computers or playback devices with the power and fidelity you expect from Harman Kardon.

In addition to providing a wide range of listen- ing options, the AVR 120 is easy to configure so that it provides the best results with your speakers and specific listening-room environment.

For the ultimate in flexibility, the AVR 120 fea- tures connections for five video devices, all with both composite and S-Video inputs, including the front panel inputs. Two additional audio inputs are available, and a total of six digital inputs make the AVR 120 capable of handling all the latest digital audio sources. Coax and optical digital outputs are also available for direct connection to digital recorders. The

AVR 120’s powerful amplifier uses traditional Harman Kardon high-current design technolo- gies to meet the wide dynamic range of any program selection.

Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity receiver more than forty-seven years ago. With state-of-the-art circuitry and time-honored cir- cuit designs, the AVR 120 is one of the finest receivers ever offered by Harman Kardon.

■Onboard Dolby Digital and DTS Decoding Using Crystal® Chip Technology

■Harman Kardon’s Exclusive Logic 7 and VMAx Modes

■Dolby Laboratories’ Latest Pro Logic II Decoding Technology

■MP3 Decoding for Use With Computers and Digital Audio Players

■Front Panel Digital Inputs for Easy Connection to Portable Digital Devices and the Latest Video Game Consoles

■Multiple Digital Inputs and Outputs

■Color-Coded Input, Output and Speaker Terminals Comply With the Latest CEA Standards for Easy Installation

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: To prevent electric shock,

do not use this (polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can

be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s

enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the

literature accompanying the appliance.

3INTRODUCTION