Well I bought a factory reconditioned HK3340 70 wpc stereo receiver about 15 months ago for $160 delivered (for my doppy little HT setup). Had it back in the shop twice after losing the left channel and then getting loud crackling sound from that same channel.
Works fine now. The factory rep said if it went bad again they'd replace it with new. They also tracked down the tech who worked on it (3 strikes and they're out of a job according to him). So perhaps they are working on quality control.
Speaking of which, yes, the controls feel very, very cheap. OTOH most folks use a remote. The money seems to have gone into the transformer (the HK 3340 weighs as much as my 100 wpc Rotel receiver) and its 42 amp rating (who runs 8 gauge wire with a 40 amp breaker to a cheap receiver?).