Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.0 Surround-Sound Processor/Tuner

For those seeking home theater performance a cut above the ordinary, the team of Harman Kardon's Signature Series 2.0 surround processor/tuner and Signature Series 2.1 multichannel amplifier (sold separately) offers superior sound, sophisticated ergonomics, and outstanding build quality.

For its own part, the Signature Series 2.0 processor/tuner--which requires an outboard amplifier for you to listen to it--offers great sound, terrific setup flexibility, and ease of use, though its performance is slanted more to audiophiles than videophiles. It handles decoding for all the major surround formats--Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS. In addition, the Signature Series 2.0 offers 5.1-channel analog inputs for newer surround formats, such as DVD-audio, where the decoding can take place in your source component. This processor even includes an RS-232 serial port for interfacing with home automation systems.

Most receivers present a fascia loaded with knobs, buttons, and blinking lights. The 2.0's front panel is refreshingly simple: there's a large volume knob, three sets of large push buttons (which let you scroll through your inputs, surround modes, and AM/FM stations), a mute button, a power on/off button, and a large LED screen.

Unlike conventional preamplifier/processors and receivers, which preassign the inputs (CD, DVD, etc.), the 2.0 features six source "positions" that you can configure and custom name to meet your particular needs. The 2.0 comes factory-configured for the most common associated equipment, but you can easily alter them. (There's no phono input, so you'll need an outboard phono stage to listen to LPs.)

You can set the video input, audio input, surround mode, bass/treble setting, and subwoofer level for each of your source components via the remote or the front panel. Once you configure the system's simple onscreen menu, using the 2.0 is as easy as pushing a single button. You can also make temporary modifications to your settings from the remote. These changes automatically cancel when you change sources or turn the unit off.

The 2.0's flexibility also includes a left/right and front/rear balance control plus various center-channel and movie modes. Of course it offers a "bass management" system, which allows you to route audio below 100 Hz from all five channels to a separate powered subwoofer, if you choose.

The tuner includes Radio Data Service (RDS), which automatically displays call letters, station type, and other information sent by stations supporting that system. You can also name stations manually.

While the 2.0 generously offers six analog and six digital (four coaxial and two optical) inputs as well as six composite video inputs, there are only two S-video inputs and no component video inputs or outputs--which is a problem if you want the highest quality video from DVD and HDTV. Furthermore, the 2.0 offers no digital outputs for recording to CD-R or minidisc. If you have a laserdisc player that outputs a Dolby Digital AC-3 RF signal, you'll need to add an outboard demodulator for that.

The 2.0's learning remote is not backlit, and most of the buttons are the same size, but the layout is logical and reasonably easy to use in the dark.

Despite its video-switching limitations, the Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.0 is an extremely well-built product that looks and feels solid and operates flawlessly. Connect it to a high-quality five-channel amplifier such as Harman's Signature Series 2.1 and you'll quickly appreciate the 2.0's smooth and relaxed yet detailed low-distortion sound.

As is often the case with matching components, the 2.0's sound perfectly complements the liquid sound of the Signature Series 2.1 multichannel amplifier. Put the two together and you have a synergistic combination that sounds better than either piece by itself. That said, if you're thinking about adding one of these units to your existing system, either works great with many other brands of preamp/processor or amplifier.

Pros:

• Flexible setup and customization
• 5.1-channel direct analog input for DVD-audio or other future formats
• 7 input positions, multiple analog and digital inputs
• RDS tuner with 30 station presets
• High build quality
• Exceptional sound quality with dead-silent backgrounds

Cons:

• Only 2 S-video inputs, no component video inputs or outputs
• No RF demodulator for AC-3 laserdisc playback
• Non-backlit remote
• No phono input

Signature Series(tm) by Harman Kardon represents the finest expression of Power for the Digital Revolution(tm) product design. Each Signature component is engineered for maximum versatility and visual and operational elegance. Most importantly, each Signature Series component delivers uncompromising reproduction of even the most dynamic digital audio and audio/video recordings.