guidance for H/K remote replacement.
- Thread starter Dmartn149
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whoaru99
Epic Member
Logitech/Harmony, get while you can.
I'm not up on what others are out there. There's a thread on Logitech/Harmony getting out of the remote business. There might be some alternate suggestions there if concerned about the news.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/no-more-harmony-remotes.957214/
I'm not up on what others are out there. There's a thread on Logitech/Harmony getting out of the remote business. There might be some alternate suggestions there if concerned about the news.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/no-more-harmony-remotes.957214/
Did you pick up this receiver without the remote of user manual?
It's hard to tell if all of the codes are included in the Myharmony website to download for your remote. They will often include generic, global items to be included for downloading as well as missing some. But it's a good choice if you can't find an original.
Do a search on ebay or Google for Logitech Harmony and you'll see many. I think Best Buy still has a new 655 available but it's $80.
If you do find one used, make sure it comes with the USB cord. Without it, you can't download.
It's hard to tell if all of the codes are included in the Myharmony website to download for your remote. They will often include generic, global items to be included for downloading as well as missing some. But it's a good choice if you can't find an original.
Do a search on ebay or Google for Logitech Harmony and you'll see many. I think Best Buy still has a new 655 available but it's $80.
If you do find one used, make sure it comes with the USB cord. Without it, you can't download.
whoaru99
Epic Member
The main thing with AVRs is the setup mode. Some you can't get into setup without a remote. To me, it's not particularly important that a universal/aftermarket remote have every function but it must have the ability to access the setup mode.
Pretty much always you can adjust volume, select sources, change some of the modes, etc., without a remote. But, without being able to get into setup for proper configuration, they're very little more than a boat anchor, IMO.
Pretty much always you can adjust volume, select sources, change some of the modes, etc., without a remote. But, without being able to get into setup for proper configuration, they're very little more than a boat anchor, IMO.
Dmartn149
Super Member
Yeah, I realized that after I got it home. Fortunately, whatever setting the previous owner was using works really well, and measures pretty flat with the little JBLs and subwoofer that I have it hooked to now. It sounds great! I wanted it because it has pre-out, main-in jacks. Down the road, I want to use it with a minidsp and my bi-amped ESS AMT's.
Dmartn149
Super Member
In case anyone else is interested, here's what I learned from H/K customer support;
Good day! Thank you again for reaching to Harman Kardon regarding the AVR 520.
My name is Paul and I will assist with your inquiries.
The good news is that even that this AVR model has been about 20 years from the year when it was launched, we still have the original remote in stock.
The Part number is BE18A00, and the price is $121.17 each plus taxes and shipping, if applicable.
The closest AVR models that were also launched back in 2001, have their remote controls working with each other, with only very minor feature differences on each. These were the models, AVR120, AVR220, AVR320, AVR520, and the AVR7200, which was the flagship in their time. Later models will also work for major functions, such as the 2002 AVR 225 and the 2009's AVR 7500HD, although the remote layout can possibly be different than the 2001 AVR models. All of which will work as substitutes.
In addition to this, where I may not know the price is, there has been a particular manufacturer, that has been very keen on their universal remote controls, and has worked with almost all of our AVR models. The brand is Logitech and their models are called the Harmony remotes. I may not know for sure if all of their models will work or only a few of them, but I am positive that one or the other will work. Below is their link:
If you decide to buy the original remote from us, feel free to let us know and call us at (877) 871-6755 from Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (ET) and Sat-Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET), and our sales representative will assist you with placing orders over the phone. There are currently no online orders for parts yet.
I hope this information helps in any way. Feel free to let us know if you have any other questions.
Good day! Thank you again for reaching to Harman Kardon regarding the AVR 520.
My name is Paul and I will assist with your inquiries.
The good news is that even that this AVR model has been about 20 years from the year when it was launched, we still have the original remote in stock.
The Part number is BE18A00, and the price is $121.17 each plus taxes and shipping, if applicable.
The closest AVR models that were also launched back in 2001, have their remote controls working with each other, with only very minor feature differences on each. These were the models, AVR120, AVR220, AVR320, AVR520, and the AVR7200, which was the flagship in their time. Later models will also work for major functions, such as the 2002 AVR 225 and the 2009's AVR 7500HD, although the remote layout can possibly be different than the 2001 AVR models. All of which will work as substitutes.
In addition to this, where I may not know the price is, there has been a particular manufacturer, that has been very keen on their universal remote controls, and has worked with almost all of our AVR models. The brand is Logitech and their models are called the Harmony remotes. I may not know for sure if all of their models will work or only a few of them, but I am positive that one or the other will work. Below is their link:
If you decide to buy the original remote from us, feel free to let us know and call us at (877) 871-6755 from Mon - Fri: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (ET) and Sat-Sun: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET), and our sales representative will assist you with placing orders over the phone. There are currently no online orders for parts yet.
I hope this information helps in any way. Feel free to let us know if you have any other questions.
Paul from H/K customer support gave good advice.
I use an AVR 110 remote for an AVR 125. I also use an AVR 630 remote for an AVR 435. Both work perfectly. HK had over a hundred AVR models. Study eBay pictures of the control buttons of all the different models (built in the same time frame). They're exactly the same. Download the owner's manuals. The instructions are the same. In a given year the power amplifier sections were different but the control and tuner parts were the same. Some model change was probably incremental improvement. But a lot of it was just renumbering for the next model year. Or having the same unit with a different model number and slightly different specs so Crutchfield, Circuit City, or Best Buy could have an exclusive model that could not be price compared with another vendor. Compare your AVR 520 with its twin the AVR 510 for example.
Download the owner's manual for your 520. Look at the picture of the remote. Search eBay or Shopgoodwill for "Harman Kardon remote". Find one that most closely resembles yours. Download the manual for the similar AVR model. Compare instructions.
Sellers have found that they can get more money by selling the remote and the receiver separately. If you are looking to buy an HK receiver, a listing with a receiver with its original remote will probably be a better purchase than the two bought separately.
I use an AVR 110 remote for an AVR 125. I also use an AVR 630 remote for an AVR 435. Both work perfectly. HK had over a hundred AVR models. Study eBay pictures of the control buttons of all the different models (built in the same time frame). They're exactly the same. Download the owner's manuals. The instructions are the same. In a given year the power amplifier sections were different but the control and tuner parts were the same. Some model change was probably incremental improvement. But a lot of it was just renumbering for the next model year. Or having the same unit with a different model number and slightly different specs so Crutchfield, Circuit City, or Best Buy could have an exclusive model that could not be price compared with another vendor. Compare your AVR 520 with its twin the AVR 510 for example.
Download the owner's manual for your 520. Look at the picture of the remote. Search eBay or Shopgoodwill for "Harman Kardon remote". Find one that most closely resembles yours. Download the manual for the similar AVR model. Compare instructions.
Sellers have found that they can get more money by selling the remote and the receiver separately. If you are looking to buy an HK receiver, a listing with a receiver with its original remote will probably be a better purchase than the two bought separately.
Shockingly good level of support from HK for an older model AVR!!!
If it's within budget, $79 for a Harmony 665 (used to be $59, but has been runup since discontinuation announcement) is much more than a replacement remote. It can control all your devices and is smart so you can hit one button for "listen to CD" or "listen to LP" and it will change all inputs, power on whatever needs to be powered on, and control all devices.
For a simple remote, Googling for BE18A00 yields this -> https://www.remotes.net/products/replacement-remote-for-hk-be18a00
No experience with that replacement, nor did I spend more than 5 seconds looking at it, but seems like it might be a lower cost mostly direct replacement (they layout is different than the original, but claims to duplicate the original).
If there is budget, and you want to control all components, I think it's worth spending up for the Harmony (you will need to configure the Harmony on the computer, but it should be worth it (and we can talk you through it if you run into issues)).
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