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Installation and Setup

System Installation
After unpacking the unit, and placing it
on a solid surface capable of supporting
its weight, you will need to make the
connections to your audio and video
equipment. These steps need to be done
only when the receiver is first installed,
or when a change is made to the input
source equipment.

Audio Input and Output Connections
We recommend that you use high-quality
cables when making connections to
source equipment and recorders to
preserve the quality of the signals.

When making connections to audio
source equipment or speakers it is always
a good practice to unplug the unit from
the AC wall plug. This prevents any possi-
bility of accidentally sending audio or
transient signals to the speakers that may
damage them.

1. For playback-only audio sources, such
as a CD player, CD changer, tape deck or
phono cartridge, connect the output
jacks of the player to the appropriately
labeled inputs on the rear panel 

d e

.

NOTE: When the source device has both
fixed and variable audio outputs it is best
to use the fixed output unless you find
that the input to the receiver is so low
that the sound is noisy, or high that the
signal is distorted.

1. If a turntable is connected to the

input 

e

, connect the ground

wire from the cartridge or tone arm to
the 

terminal

§

.

3. When connecting audio recording
devices such as cassette recorders, open
reel audio tape decks, DAT or MD, con-
nect the PLAY/OUT jacks of the recorder
to the 

jacks 

ª ⁄

on the AVR55.

Connect the RECORD/IN jacks on the
recorder to the 

jacks 

• ‚

on the AVR55.

4. Connect the output of any digital
sources to be used to the appropriate
connections on the AVR55 rear panel.
The 

and 

digital inputs

¶ f

may be used with either a Dolby

Digital (AC-3) source or the output of a
conventional CD or LV player’s PCM
(S/P-DIF) output. The 

input

g

may ONLY be connected to the special

AC-3 RF output of a laser disc player.

5. Assemble the AM Loop Antenna sup-
plied with the unit as shown below.
Connect it to the 

and 

screw

terminals 

¡

.

6. Connect an FM antenna to the 

connection 

™

. The 

FM antenna may be an external roof
antenna, an inside powered or wire lead
antenna, or a connection from a cable
TV system. Note that if the antenna or
connection uses 300-ohm twin lead
cable, you must use the 300-ohm to 
75-ohm adapter supplied with the unit 
to make the connection.

7. Connect the front, center and
surround speaker outputs 

fi

to the

respective speakers.

To assure that all the audio signals are
carried to your speakers without loss of
clarity or resolution, we suggest that you
use high-quality speaker cable. Many
brands of cable are available, and the
choice of cable may be influenced by the
distance between your speakers and this
receiver, the type of speakers you use,
personal preferences and other factors.
Your dealer or installer is a valuable
resource to consult in selecting the
proper cable.

Regardless of the brand of cable selected,
we recommend that you use a cable con-
structed of fine, multistrand copper with
a gauge of 14 or larger. Remember that
in specifying cable, the lower the num-
ber, the thicker the cable.

Cable with a gauge of 16 may be used for
short runs of less than ten feet. We do not
recommend that you use cables with an
AWG equivalent of 18 or higher due to
the power loss and degradation in
performance that will occur.

Cables that are run inside walls should
have the appropriate markings to indicate
listing with UL, CSA or other appropriate
testing agency standards. Questions about
running cables inside walls should be
referred to your installer or a licensed
electrical contractor who is familiar with
the NEC and/or the applicable local
building codes in your area.

Installation and Setup

When connecting wires to the speakers,
be certain to observe proper polarity.
Remember to connect the “negative” or
“black” wire to the same terminal on the
receiver and the speaker. Similarly, the
“positive” or “red” wire should be con-
nected to the like terminal on the AVR55
and speaker.

NOTE: While most speaker manufacturers
adhere to an industry convention of using
black terminals for negative and red ones
for positive, some manufacturers may
vary from this configuration. To assure
proper phase, and optimal performance,
consult the identification plate on your
speaker, or the speaker’s manual to verify
polarity. If you do not know the polarity 
of your speaker, ask your dealer for advice
before proceeding, or consult the speaker’s
manufacturer.

8. Connections to a subwoofer are made
via a line level audio connection from
the 

∞

to the line

level input of a subwoofer with a built-in
amplifier. If a passive subwoofer is used,
the connection first goes to a power
amplifier, which will be connected to one
or more subwoofer speakers.

Video Input and Output Connections
Video connections are made in a similar
fashion to those for audio components.
Again, the use of high-quality intercon-
nect cables is recommended to preserve
signal quality.

1. Connect your VCR’s audio and video
OUT jacks to the 

jacks 

°

on

the rear panel. The audio and video IN
jacks on the VCR should be connected to
the 

jacks 

›

on the AVR55.

2. Connect the audio and video outputs
of a satellite receiver, cable TV converter
or television set or any other video source
to the 

jacks 

¤

.

3. Connect the audio and video outputs
of a DVD or laser disc player to the 

jacks 

‹

.

4. Connect the 

a

jack on

the receiver to the video input of your
television monitor or video projector. 

The AVR55 is designed for flexible use
with external control components and
power amplifiers. These connections are
easy to make during an initial installa-
tion, or at a later date should you choose
to upgrade your system.

Remote Control Extension
If the receiver is placed behind a solid or
smoked glass cabinet door, the obstruc-
tion may prevent the remote sensor from
receiving commands. In this event, an
optional remote sensor may be used.
Connect the output of the remote sensor
to the 

jack 

c

. 

If other components are also prevented
from receiving remote commands, only
one sensor is needed. They may use this
unit’s sensor or a remote eye by running
a connection from the 

jack 

b

to the Remote In jack on

Harman Kardon or other compatible
equipment. 

If desired, optional external power audio
power amplifiers may be used with the
AVR55. Connections may be made by con-
necting the 

£ ¢ h

of the AVR55 to the inputs of the external
amplifier. Before connecting the front
channels to an external amplifier, remove
the jumper pins connecting the 

and 

h i

and save them for future use.

AC Power Connections
This unit is equipped with two accessory
AC outlets. They may be used to power
accessory devices, but they should not be
used with high-current draw equipment
such as power amplifiers. Their total
power draw may not exceed 100 watts.

These 

fl

will receive power

only when the unit is on. These recom-
mended for devices that have no power
switch, or a mechanical power switch
that may be left in the “ON” position.

NOTE: Devices with electronic power
switches may only go into a Standby
mode when plugged in here.

Finally, when all connections are com-
plete, plug the 

‡

into

a non-switched 120-volt AC wall outlet.
You’re almost ready to enjoy the AVR55!

Remote Control Programming and Operation

This product is equipped with a powerful
remote control. As supplied, it will operate
the receiver, as well as most CD players
and tape decks manufactured by Harman
Kardon. If your equipment requires differ-
ent codes, it may be programmed to copy
the codes from most infrared remotes.

Loading Batteries
The life of the batteries for the remote
control is about one year in normal oper-
ation. If the amber

indi-

cator does not flash when remote buttons
are pushed, that is an indication that the
batteries need to be replaced.

To change the batteries:
1. Remove the back cover by sliding it in
the direction of the arrows. 

2. Remove the old batteries and insert
fresh AAA type cells. Be certain to observe
the correct polarity by noting the (+)
and (–) marks on both the inside of the
case and on the battery cells. It is recom-
mended that both batteries be changed at
the same time.

3. Close the cover until it clicks shut.

NOTE: It is important that the batteries
be replaced within ten minutes after the
old batteries are removed to avoid losing
any remote codes that have been pro-
grammed into the remote’s memory.

Remote Control Range
The remote will operate at a range of up
to 15 feet from the unit, when the batter-
ies are fully charged. The remote will
also operate at an angle of up to 30° to
either side of the unit.

Always point the remote transmitter at
the front of the unit when issuing com-
mands. If you find that remote com-
mands are not being received by the
remote, it may be necessary to use a
remote IR sensor.

Programmable Keys
Many of the buttons on the remote 
control may be user programmed to new
functions to operate virtually any compo-
nent in your system. Eleven CANNOT be
programmed with a new code, as they
control high-level functions of the
AVR55. These keys are 

,

, and the source

input keys: 

, 

, 

, 

,

, 

, 

, 

.

Programmable keys are divided into two
groups. Some keys may be programmed
with a separate function for each of the
inputs. Thus, these keys may change
their code when the input source is
changed. (e.g., The 

key may trans-

mit a different code when 

is selected

as opposed to when 

is selected.)

The keys that may be programmed with
multiple codes are the following:

All Numeric Keys (

– 

)

Forward Play 

fl

Source Power On

Reverse Play 

fi

Source Power Off

Stop 

Í

Preset Disc 

∏

Record 

Î

Preset Disc 

Â

Pause 

±

Channel/Skip 

·

Channel/Skip 

‡

Tune/Search 

—

Memo

Tune/Search 

‚

P-Scan

Remote Control Programming and Operation

All other keys may only be programmed
with one remote code. The code
contained in these keys remains the
same regardless of the source selection.

WARNING: These keys transmit codes
that are vital to the operation of the
product. It is not recommended that they
be programmed with alternative codes,
as it may then be impossible to operate
certain functions of the receiver.

Night 

Delay

RF 

Opt

Coax

Select 

All Mode Selectors

Display

Speaker 

⁄¤

CH Select

Volume 

⁄¤

Test Tone

Mute

To program the remote, follow these steps.
Note that it is not necessary to program
all keys, only those that are required to
operate the subject device. Keys not
programmed will retain the codes
preprogrammed at the factory.

1. Slide 

a

switch at the

top left corner of the remote to the right
so that it is next to 

.

2. If one of the multifunction buttons 
is being programmed press the source
button (e.g. 

, 

) you wish to 

have this function associated with. If you
are programming a single function key,
proceed to the next step.

3. Press the button on the remote that is
to be programmed. Note that the

LED

will illuminate.

4. Place the remote head to head with the
remote control whose function is being
learned. The two remotes should be no
more than 8 inches apart.

5. Press and hold the button on the
remote corresponding to the function 
to be memorized until the 

LED starts to blink. When the LED goes
out, release the button on the transmit-
ting remote. The function code has been
successfully captured by the remote.

NOTE: If both LEDs flash during a pro-
gramming operation, it indicates that
the remote’s memory is full or that the
remote codes from the transmitting
remote are not compatible with the unit’s
signal format.

6. Continue to program any additional
remote commands required using steps
2 through 5. When you have finished
programming the remote, slide the

switch to the left so that it

is in the

position.

Clearing the Remote Memory
In normal operation, codes for a new
device may be programmed “over” the
codes that have been previously pro-
grammed into the remote. It is also pos-
sible to clear the memory for individual
keys, or for the entire remote. When a
memory position is cleared, the remote
will return to the original factory preset
command.

To clear the memory for a specific indi-
vidual key location, put the 

switch in the 

position. Press the

c

button and the

button to be cleared at the same time.
Both the 

and 

indi-

cators will light momentarily. When the
lights go out, the memory has been
cleared of the user programmed code
and returned to the factory preset. Return
the 

a

switch to the 

position when you are finished. 

To clear the remote’s entire memory 
and return all keys to their factory preset
commands, first put the 

a

switch in the 

position. Then press

the 

button 

c

and

confirm that the 

indicator

has illuminated. While continuing

to press the 

button,

press and hold the 

c

button until the 

indicator

goes off for about 3 seconds. It will then
blink twice. Then release the two buttons.
This indicates that the memory has been
cleared of any user programmed com-
mands and that the original commands
have been restored. Slide the 

switch 

a

back to the 

position to

return the remote to normal operation.