Installation and Connections
S
ystem and Power Connections
The AVR is designed for flexible use with multi-
room systems, external control components and
power amplifiers.
Main Room Remote Control Extension
I
f the receiver is placed behind a solid or smoked
glass cabinet door, the obstruction may prevent
the remote sensor from receiving commands. In
this event, the remote sensor of any
Harman Kardon or other compatible device, not
covered by the door, or an optional remote
sensor may be used. Connect the Remote IR
Output of that device or the output of the
remote sensor to the Remote IR Input jack
.
If other components are also prevented from
receiving remote commands, only one sensor is
needed. Simply use this unit’s sensor or a remote
eye by running a connection from the Remote
IR Output jack
to the Remote IR Input
jack on Harman Kardon or other compatible
equipment.
Zone II IR Link
(Limited options on AVR 255)
The key to remote room operation is to link the
remote room to the AVR’s location with wire for
an infrared receiver and speakers or an amplifier.
The remote room IR receiver (this can be an
optional IR receiver or any other remotable
Harman Kardon device in the remote room with
IR sensor integrated) should be connected to the
AVR via standard coaxial cable. Connect the
Remote IR Output of the device or of the
optional sensor with the Zone II IR Input jack
on the AVR’s rear panel.
If other Harman Kardon compatible source
equipment is part of the main room installation,
the Remote IR Output jack
on the rear
panel should be connected to the IR IN jack on
that source device. This will enable the remote
room location to control source equipment
functions.
When a remote IR sensor is used to control non-
Harman Kardon source equipment, we recom-
mend that you make a direct connection or use
an optional, external IR “blaster” connected to
the Remote IR Carrier Output Jack
(
. If you
are in doubt as to which IR Output jack to use
for the equipment in your system, contact your
dealer or installer, or the manufacturer’s support
site and ask whether the unit to be controlled
uses “full carrier” or “stripped” carrier IR
commands. When “full carrier commands” are
used, make the connection to the Remote IR
Carrier Output Jack
(
. Otherwise, make the
connection to the Remote IR Output Jack
as noted above (IR Carrier Output available on
AVR 355 only).
NOTE: All remotely controlled components must
be linked together in a “daisy chain”. Connect
the IR OUT jack of one unit to the IR IN of the
next to establish this chain.
M
ultiroom Audio Connections
Depending on your system`s requirement and
distance from the AVR to the remote room, three
options are available for audio connection:
Option 1 (on AVR 355): Use high-quality,
s
hielded audio interconnect phono cable from
the AVR’s location to the remote room. In the
remote room, connect the interconnect cable to
a stereo power amplifier. The amplifier will be
connected to the room’s speakers. At the AVR,
plug the audio interconnect cables into the
Zone 2 Out Jacks
&
on the AVR’s rear panel.
Option 2 (on AVR 355): Place the amplifier
that will provide power to the remote location
speakers in the same room as the AVR, and con-
nect the Zone 2 Out jacks & on the rear panel
of the AVR to the audio input of the remote room
amplifier. Use the appropriate speaker wire to con-
nect the optional power amplifier to the remote
speakers. High-quality wire of at least 2.5 mm
2
is
recommended for long multiroom connections.
Option 3 (on AVR 255 and AVR 355): Taking
advantage of the AVR’s built-in seven-channel
amplifier, it is possible to use two of the amplifi-
er channels to power speakers in the remote
room. When using this option you will not be
able to use the full 7.1-channel capabilities of
the AVR in the main listening room, but you will
be able to add another listening room without
additional external power amplifiers. To use the
internal amplifiers to power a remote zone, con-
nect the speakers for the remote room location
to the Surround Back/Multiroom Speaker
Outputs
. Before using the remote room you
will need to configure the amplifiers for sur-
round operation by changing a setting in the
Multiroom menu, following the instructions
shown on page 18.
NOTE: For all options, you may connect an
optional IR sensor (Harman Kardon He 1000) in
the remote room to the AVR via an appropriate
cable. Connect the sensor’s cable to the Zone 2
IR Input
on the AVR and use the Zone II
remote to control the room volume.
Alternatively, you may install an optional volume
control between the output of the amplifiers and
the speakers.
NOTE: The AVR 355’s multiroom system is only
capable of distributing analog audio sources to
the remote zone. Therefore, when connecting
your digital audio equipment (e.g. CD or DVD
players) as described on page 18, make sure to
use both analog and digital audio connections
to ensure that the devices will be available to
the multiroom system.
A-BUS Installation Connections
(AVR 355 only)
The AVR is among the very few receivers avail-
able today that offers built-in A-BUS Ready
®
operation. When used with an optional A-BUS
keypad or control module, you have all the
benefits of remote zone operation without the
n
eed for an external power amplifier.
To use the AVR with an approved A-BUS prod-
uct, simply connect the keypad or module that is
in the remote room to the AVR using standard
“Category 5” wiring that is properly rated for
the inwall use specific to the installation.
T
erminate the wiring at the receiver end to a
standard RJ-45 jack in compliance with the
instructions furnished with the A-BUS module.
You may connect a single A-BUS module to the
AVR 355 with no further equipment needed. If
you wish to connect more than one A-BUS
module, an optional, external A-BUS hub may be
used to provide that capability.
No further installation or adjustment is needed,
as the A-BUS connector on the AVR routes the
signals in and out of the keypad to their proper
destination for power, signal source and control.
The output fed to the A-BUS jack is determined
by the AVR’s multiroom system, and the menus
may be used as is.
AC Power Connections
This unit is equipped with one accessory AC
outlet. It may be used to power accessory
devices, but should not be used with high-current
draw equipment such as power amplifiers. The
total power draw to the Switched Outlet
should not exceed 50 watts.
The Switched
outlet will receive power only
when the unit is on completely. This is recom-
mended for devices that have no power switch
or a mechanical power switch that may be left in
the “ON” position.
NOTE: Many audio and video products go into
Standby mode when they are used with
switched outlets, and cannot be fully turned on
using the outlet alone without a remote control
command.
The AVR draws significantly more current than
other household devices such as computers that
use removable power cords. For that reason, it is
important that only the cord supplied with the
AVR 355 (AVR 255 has a fixed power cord) or a
direct replacement of identical capacity be used.
Once the power cord is connected, you are
almost ready to enjoy the AVR 255/AVR 355’s
incredible power and fidelity!
18 INSTALLATION AND CONNECTIONS