harman/kardon FL8385 5-Disc CD Changer

Pros: Looks purty, sounds better. Good customer support
Cons: First one died

Earlier this year when I decided to upgrade my component system to H-K (All I wanted for my birthday was a 120W Harman... h ttp://www.epinions.com/content _232581992068), not only did I get the fabulous Harmon Kardon ...

Pros: Beautiful sound, great styling!
Cons: Mechanical problems after only 5 days of extremely light use! Made in China...of course!

I've just bought this CD-player, along with a brand new Harman Kardon receiver (HK-3480) and a couple of great Polk speakers and, believe it or not, the CD-player already broke down! I was convinced by the salesman to buy this player based on Harman ...

Pros: Looks good. Great sound. Fast tray service.
Cons: No SACD support. Pricey.

Simple enough. This is a CD changer. I purchased this unit as I did not want to have to continuously change speaker settings because I wanted to hear a audio CD on the HK DV player. SETUP: This is where it gets good for me. If I have to look at the ...

Pros: Dewar Audio in Ottawa stood by us
Cons: Poor build quality, exceptionally unreliable

We purchased this player because we have been exceptionally happy with the Harman/Kardon receiver that we own. When we were shopping around, I was surprised that it was very difficult to find a true CD changer anymore, most places were trying to sell ...

Pros: Clear, clean, warm sound. Properly balanced mid and low bass.
Cons: Previous versions apparently had problems with some mechanics. (I assume that's fixed here)

It is not easy to compare audio cd players since dvd has taken over so much of the buying market. I needed to replace an over ten year old Pioneer Elite cd player. Went to a very large electronics house, took along my Sennheiser 580 headphones ...

Pros: I really can't think of any other than it matches my HK receiver nicely!!
Cons: terrible sound, poor reliability, more aggravation than it is worth!

I bought this cd player to match my new HK3480, I had trouble with it in 2 days after getting it home, it kept scanning in random mode and wouldn't open, I was informed to unplug the unit and plug it back in, no such luck, I sent it back and got another ...

Pros: Sounds great if and when it plays a disk
Cons: Not reliable.

I bought an FL-8385 in 2/2004. First one worked for about three months, then started doing weird things like taking disks in but not playing them. Then it would play and then stop in the middle of a song, start, then stop, then start...argh!! Sent it to H-K who promptly replaced it with another. Plugged that unit in and it worked fine, except the power light stopped working after one day--uh, oh. Two months later this one started a similar routine of taking disks in and not playing them and refusing to eject them. Sent this one back to H-K, and they promptly replaced it. The third unit worked great--for three months. Then started the same routine again!!! Beware, this product is unreliable and should be avoided at all costs. I'm still waiting another replacement unit from H-K. They mysteriously have been out of stock for over a month now.

Pros: Looks pretty
Cons: CDs don't play. CD draw locks CDs in unit! They all do it!

I think there should be a No Star or Negative Star rating allowed for this item. I bought the FL8385 in April 2004 - it has NEVER worked properly. I had it replaced 3 times under warranty and each one had the same problems: It can't read the CDs when inserted, it looses the CD identification in 5 cd tray, CD tray locks in CDs. When eventually it does play the CD it has intermittent faults in the sound. I've spoken to others that own this same unit, and they've experienced the same problems. You may as well just burn up your money! At this point I'm throwing it out and buying a Sony!

Pros: Looks great matched with other HK equipment
Cons: Everything Else

I have just returned my 3rd unit for warranty replacement. This is simply a very poor unit and not worth the bother. Should the next unit not work, I too will trash it and buy a different brand.

I was to notice the; Made In China label !

Pros: -Looks great -Works with remote for HK AVR 430
Cons: - Slow to change disks - broke after 3 months

Bought this product to upgrade from my 8 year old RCA 5 disc changer. I already had the HK AVR 430, so I decided to buy the changer so I could use the same remote. Their are several disadvantages over the RCA. Yes, it has HDCD capability, but I could only find one CD that I wanted that was in that format. The main reason that I wanted to replace the RCA changer was when I bought the HK receiver and Bowers and Wilkens S4 speakers, the sound was so clear, but burnt CD's would have a constant jump to them that was not audible on my bose and Technics combo. The HK did the same thing as the RCA unfortunately. After a mear 3 months, the changer quite playing completely, and is now in for service along with the HK AVR 430, which also died after 5 months. These units were taken very good care of and in a very open/ ventilated area.

Pros: cool looking
Cons: does not do the job

I had the same experience as the reviewers before me. The unit has hard time to play original cds not to mention CD-Rs. It skips a lot. I have got a HK receiver (no problem with that one) and wanted to have a matching cd player. I just have ordered the Onkyo DX-C390 to replace this player.

Pros: Excellent Sound Quality, Warm, Vibrant and Authentic. Value. Design and Usability. Build.
Cons: Somewhat noisy. Skips if knocked.

After trying several higher end CD Players, I am very pleased with the HK 8385.

In my search I tried Sony, Denon, Yamaha and NAD and finally settled on the HK because of its combination of sound and value. The sound bettered the aforementioned rivals but I got this unit for a significant amount below the cost of the others.

My System is a NAD T763 Receiver with Paradigm Monitor Speakers. Music I am listening to is Rock, Pop and Jazz.

On the plus side, the unit produces warm, clear and overall great sound. The HDCD processing clearly adds to the dimension of the sound quality. Using an Digital Coax Cable, you can get all of the sound. I also like the look, control layout and features of the unit. It is very easier to program and use.

On the down side, the unit is a tad bit noisy which might bother some people but has not interrupted my enjoyment.The only other complaint might be that it skips easily. The unit may not survive a dance party without a skip or two.
I have had no problems with quality of HK

Pros: Great sound when it fells like working
Cons: Totally unreliable POS, dot recommended

I had the unit for about 2 months, it starts with this non-recognition problem on certain CDs. Then it will progress to not being able to see any CD inserted at all, including brand new CDs just bought and not yet played. These CDs are all perfectly playable on my SONY CD player. What is crazy is, sometimes it would work perfectly as if nothing had been a problem! There's got to be some kind of weakness in the electrical circuitry inside... Keeping the power on all the time seems to help somewhat but not 100%. Customer support says unless it is purchased from an "Authorized" dealer, they refuse to repair/replace under warranty.

Off to the dumpster it goes... Visually a nice design though, too bad it kinda have to also play CDs for it to be useful. Total POS, not recommended.