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Audio/Video Receiver

SERVICE MANUAL

Power for the Digital Revolution

™

®

 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Audio Section
Stereo Mode 
Continuous Average Power (FTC)

50 Watts per channel, 20Hz–20kHz,
@ < 0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms

Five-Channel Surround Modes 
Power Per Individual Channel

Front L&R channels:
40 Watts per channel,
@ < 0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Center channel:
40 Watts, @ < 0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Surround channels:
40 Watts per channel,
@ < 0.07% THD, 20Hz–20kHz into 8 ohms

Input Sensitivity/Impedance 

Linear (High Level)

200mV/47kohms

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A)

90dB

Surround System Adjacent Channel Separation 

Analog Decoding 

40dB 

(Pro Logic, etc.) 
Dolby Digital (AC-3) 

55dB 

DTS

55dB

Frequency Response 

@ 1W (+0dB, –3dB)

10Hz–65kHz

High Instantaneous 
Current Capability (HCC)

±25 Amps

Transient Intermodulation 
Distortion (TIM)

Unmeasurable

Frequency Range

87.5–108MHz

Usable Sensitivity

IHF 1.3 µV/13.2dBf

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Mono/Stereo: 70/65dB (DIN)

Distortion

Mono/Stereo: 0.15/0.3%

Stereo Separation

35dB @ 1kHz

Selectivity

±300kHz: 65dB

Image Rejection

80dB

IF Rejection

90dB

Frequency Range

520–1611kHz

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

45dB

Usable Sensitivity

Loop: 500µV

Distortion

1kHz, 50% Mod: 0.8%

Selectivity

±9kHz: 30dB

Video Format

PAL/NTSC

Input Level/Impedance

1Vp-p/75 ohms

Output Level/Impedance 1Vp-p/75 ohms
Video Frequency 
Response

10Hz–8MHz (–3dB)

Power Requirement

AC 220-240V/50Hz

Power Consumption

72W idle, 580W maximum 
(2 channels driven)

Dimensions (Max)

Width

440mm 

Height

166mm 

Depth

435mm 

Weight

11 kg

Depth measurement includes knobs, buttons and terminal connections.
Height measurement includes feet and chassis.
All features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Harman Kardon is a registered trademark, and Power for the digital revolution is a
trademark, of Harman International Industries, Inc.

*Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
“Dolby,” “Pro Logic II”, “AC-3” and the Double-D symbol are 
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished 
Works. ©1992–1999 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved.

†DTS and DTS Surround are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
††UltraStereo is a trademark of UltraStereo Corp.

Crystal is a registered trademark of Cirrus Logic Corp.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE 

In the rare case where the unit’s operation or the
displays seem abnormal, the cause may involve
the erratic operation of the system’s memory or
microprocessor.

To correct this problem, first unplug the unit from
the AC wall outlet and wait at least three min-
utes. After the pause, reconnect the AC power
cord and check the unit’s operation. If the system
still malfunctions, a system reset may clear the
problem.

To clear the 

AVR 1550’

s entire system memory

including tuner presets, output level settings,
delay times and speaker configuration data, first
put the unit in Standby by pressing the System
Power Control button 2. Next, press the
Tone Mode 6 and the RDS @ buttons simul-
taneously.

The unit will turn on automatically and display
the R E S E T message in the Main
Information Display M. Note that once you
have cleared the memory in this manner, it is nec-
essary to re-establish all system configuration
settings and tuner presets.

NOTE: Resetting the processor will erase any
configuration settings you have made for speak-
ers, output levels, surround modes, digital input
assignments as well as the tuner presets. After a
reset the unit will be returned to the factory 
presets, and all settings for these items must be
reentered.

If the system is still operating incorrectly, there
may have been an electronic discharge or severe
AC line interference that has corrupted the 
memory or microprocessor.

If these steps do not solve the problem, consult
an authorized Harman Kardon service depot.

Unit does not function when 

• No AC Power

• Make certain AC power cord is plugged 

Main Power Switch 1 is pushed

into a live outlet

• Check to see if outlet is switch controlled

Display lights, but no sound 

• Intermittent input connections

• Make certain that all input and speaker 

or picture

connections are secure

• Mute is on

• Press Mute button 

2

• Volume control is down

• Turn up volume control

Sound is heard, but Front-Panel

• Display brightness is turned off

• Follow the instructions in the Display Brightness section 

Display does not light 

on page 23 so that the display is set to VFD FULL

No sound from any speaker;

• Amplifier is in protection mode

• Check speaker-wire connections for shorts at receiver 

light around Power switch 2 is red

due to possible short

and speaker ends

• Amplifier is in protection mode 

• Contact your local Harman Kardon service depot

due to internal problems

No sound from surround or 

• Incorrect surround mode

• Select a mode other than Stereo

center speakers

• Incorrect configuration

• Check speaker mode 

• Stereo or Mono program material

• With (analog or digital) Dolby surround modes, the surround 

decoder may not create rear-channel 
information from non-encoded programs

• Speakers not properly connected

• Check speaker-wire connections or use test tone

to verify connections (see page 18)

Unit does not respond to 

• Weak batteries in remote

• Change remote batteries

remote commands

• Wrong device selected

• Press the AVR selector 

5

• Remote sensor

5

is obscured

• Make certain front-panel sensor is visible to remote or 

connect remote sensor

Intermittent buzzing in tuner

• Local interference

• Move unit or antenna away from computers, fluorescent lights,

motors or other electrical appliances

Letters flash in the Channel Indicator

• Digital audio feed paused

• Resume play for DVD

Display P and Digital Audio stops

• Check that Digital Signal is fed to the Digital Input selected