The AVR 255 is Harman Kardon's most affordable 1080p-scaling, HD-audio decoding receiver to date, and easily the best-looking Β£600 receiver on the market.

The features list is right on the money, with Faroudja DCDi Cinema video processing, full Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio compatibility and full-spec v1.3a HDMIs.

Okay, there are only three HDMI inputs and a single output (not good for those running both a projector and a flatscreen) but there is a repeater circuit to ensure that the output will drive a full-length HDMI cable.

On the downside the Deep Colour and xxYCC features of the v1.3a specification are only pass-through, and its HDMI handshaking system means your display device will have to be switched on to get any audio over HDMI input. Not a problem for home cinema applications, of course, but you will need to hook up analogue interconnects if you want to play audio CDs in your BD player, for example.

Powerful receiver

Inside its suave and sophisticated-looking case are seven channels of a claimed 50W a piece. Now this isn't going to set the world afire by current standards, but as I suspected, our Tech Labs' tests show the real figures are above this – measuring 90W per channel into 8ohms with five channels driven.

Partially responsible for this is the chunky power supply – few listeners are going to be left wanting more grunt. Perhaps a more salient omission is a lack of an iPod docking port – which is probably tantamount to making a car without a steering wheel these days...

Just to complete the overall visual appeal, Harman's new GUI is a full-colour 1080p treat, and the pink volume graphic is, er, unusual to say the least.

User-friendly

This amp is incredibly straight forward to use, helped in no small way by Harman's EZset auto-set-up system.

This does apply a measure of Room EQ but there isn't any way to delve into the settings and tweak them manually. Then again, when you have got assignable rear-back channel amps for zone two, a seven-device pre-programmed remote control and such wizardry as programmable power-up volume to play with, do we care?

The whole outfit is complete with a large and only marginally stylish remote control with some keys that light-up but no overall backlight. That is seriously not helpful in a darkened room….

Home cinema heaven

The AVR 255's performance makes a mockery of Harmon's modest power output claims.

The lightning-fast opening fight scene in The Matrix (Blu-ray, Trilogy Box Set) is a set-piece born to demonstrate why Dolby TrueHD is the ambrosia of home cinema heaven, and the AVR 255 steps up to the challenge with a huge sound and beefy, thumping bass that will give your subwoofer a real workout.

The sound effects of Carrie-Anne Moss moving in a tight leather cat suit are worth the investment in both the BD version of this movie and the Harman receiver alone – audibly animating each arm movement
with crisp and focused blows.

Rack up the volume as the shots ring out: the AVR 255 articulates each gun blast with a real percussive crack and reverb that sets out the dimensions of the room as clear
as a surveyor's tape measure.

Tense viewing

Back in Neo's cluttered and tech-ridden apartment (on which I have modelled my listening room for authenticity) the Harman does a good job of recreating the ambience and tense atmosphere.