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Typographical Conventions
In order to help you use this manual with the remote control, front-panel controls and rear-panel connections,
certain conventions have been used.
EXAMPLE -“ (bold type) indicates a specific remote control or front-panel button, or rear-panel
connection jack
EXAMPLE -“ (OCR type) indicates a message that is visible on the front-panel information display
1 -“ (number in a square) indicates a specific front-panel control
¡ -“ (number in a circle) indicates a rear-panel connection
a -“ (number in an oval) indicates a button or indicator on the remote
A -“ (letter in a square) indicates an indicator in the front-panel information display
2TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Introduction
4 Safety Information
4 Unpacking
5 Front-Panel Controls
7 Front-Panel Information Display
9 Rear-Panel Connections
11 Remote Control Functions
14 Installation and Connections
14 System Installation
14 Audio Equipment Connections
14 Video Equipment Connections
15 Power Connections
16 System Configuration
16 Speaker Selection and Placement
17 System Setup
17 Speaker Setup
18 Configuring the Surround Off (Stereo) Modes
18 Stereo-Direct (Bypass) Mode
18 Stereo-Digital Mode
18 Output Level Adjustment
19 Delay Settings
20 Additional Input Adjustments
21 Operation
21 Basic Operation
21 Source Selection
21 Volume Control
22 Surround Mode Chart
23 Surround Mode Selection
23 Digital Audio Playback
23 Selecting a Digital Source
24 Digital Status Indicators
24 Night Mode
25 Tuner Operation
25 Tape Recording
25 Output Level Trim Adjustment
26 6-Channel Direct Input
26 Display Brightness
27 Programming the Remote
27 Direct Code Entry
27 Auto Search Method
27 Code Readout
28 Macro Programming
28 Programmed Device Functions
28 Punch-Through Programming
29 Volume Punch-Through
29 Channel Control Punch-Through
29 Transport Control Punch-Through
29 Resetting the Remote Memory
31 Function List
33 Setup Code Tables
42 Troubleshooting Guide
42 Processor Reset
43 Technical Specifications
AVR 125 AUDIO/ VIDEO RECEIVER
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INTRODUCTION 3
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing Harman Kardon ®!With
the purchase of a Harman Kardon AVR 125 you are
about to begin many years of listening enjoyment. The
AVR 125 has been custom-designed to provide all the
excitement and detail of movie soundtracks and every
nuance of musical selections. Onboard Dolby
®* Digital
and DTS ®* decoding allows you to take advantage of
digital soundtracks from the latest DVD releases and
Digital Television broadcasts.
While complex digital systems are hard at work within
the AVR 125 to make all of this happen, hookup and
operation are simple. Color-keyed connections and a
programmable remote control make the AVR 125
easy to use. To obtain the maximum enjoyment from
your new receiver, we urge you to take a few minutes
to read through this manual. This will ensure that con-
nections to speakers, source playback units and other
external devices are made properly. In addition, a few
minutes spent learning the functions of the various
controls will enable you to take advantage of all the
power the AVR 125 is able to deliver.
If you have any questions about this product, its instal-
lation or its operation, please contact your retailer or
custom installer. They are your best local sources of
information.
Description and Features
The AVR 125 is among the most versatile and multi-
featured A/V receivers available, incorporating a wide
range of listening options. In addition to Dolby Digital
and DTS decoding for digital sources, a broad choice
of analog surround modes are available for use with
sources such as CD, VCR, TV broadcasts and the
AVR125s 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 process-
ing to create an open, spacious sound field even when
only two front speakers are available.
In addition to providing a wide range of listening
options, the AVR 125 is easy to configure so that it
provides the best results with your speakers and spe-
cific listening-room environment. A Stereo-Direct
mode bypasses the digital processor to preserve all of
the subtleties of older analog, two-channel materials,
while bass management, available in the surround and
Stereo-Digital modes, improves your ability to
tailor the sound to suit your room acoustics or taste.
For the ultimate in flexibility, the AVR 125 features
connections for four video devices, all with both com-
posite 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 125 capable of
handling all the latest digital audio sources. Coax and
optical digital audio outputs are also available for direct
connection to digital recorders. A video recording
output and a six-channel input make the AVR 125
virtually future-proof, with everything needed to
accommodate tomorrows new formats right on board.
The AVR 125s powerful amplifier uses traditional
Harman Kardon high-current, ultrawide bandwidth
design technologies.
Harman Kardon invented the high-fidelity receiver
almost fifty years ago. With state-of-the-art circuitry
and time-honored circuit designs, the AVR 125 is one
of the finest receivers ever offered by Harman Kardon.
-– Onboard Dolby ®*Digital and DTS ®*Decoding
Using Crystal ®*Chip Technology
-– Harman Kardons Exclusive Logic 7 ®*and
VMAx ®Modes
-– Dolby Laboratories Latest Pro Logic ®*II
Decoding Technology
-– Stereo-Direct Mode forTwo-Channel Sources
Bypasses DSP Processing to Preserve the
Integrity of Analog Materials
-– Stereo-Digital Mode for Programmable Bass
Management of Low Frequencies Between
Main Speakers and Subwoofer
-– Front-Panel Digital Inputs for Easy Connection
to Portable Digital Devices and the Latest
Video Game Consoles
-– Multiple Digital Inputs and Outputs
-– 6-Channel Direct Input for Use With DVD-
Audio Players, Other Products With Internal
Surround Decoders or External Surround
Decoders
-– 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 reduce the risk
of electric shock,
do not remove cover (or back).
No user-serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to
qualified service personnel.
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 products
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.
TO THE USER
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against interference
in a residential area. This device generates and uses
radio frequency energy and if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, it may cause
interference to radio or TV reception.
If this unit does cause interference with TV or radio
reception, you can try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
A. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
B.Increase the separation between the equipment
and the receiver.
C.Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that it
is not on the same circuit as the receiver.
If necessary, consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for additional suggestions.
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications to this equipment not
expressly approved by
harman consumer group
for compliance could void the users authority to
operate this equipment.
CORDE DE CONNEXION CA ATTENTION:
POUR ÉVITER LES CHOCS ÉLECTRIQUES, INTRO-
DUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE
DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE
ET POUSSER JUSQUAU FOND.
AC POWER CORD CONNECTION CAUTION:
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE
BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.
For CANADA Pour le CANADA
