AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vintage Circle => Topic started by: Mnpctech_Audio on 12 Aug 2022, 03:34 pm
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Where does vintage 80's Harman-Kardon Audio components rank against the Japanese brands from same era?
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Similar sound quality tô Techinics Onkyo Kenwood etc HK tube amps similar SQ tô Dynaco.
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HKs in the 70s and into the 80s had a stiff power supply so you got a little beefier sound than some of the cheaper brands. Harmon was a step above the Technics, Pioneer, etc of the day. They all used a good bit of negative feedback to lower the distortion figures for the ads in Stereo Review and some say that made the sound harsh or brittle, but I never noticed it that much. However my taste wasn't as refined back then. I'd be interested in hearing a nice example today.
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As mentioned, they were beefier than other consumer brands. The 430 and 730 receivers were pretty good sounding units for the $, generally on par with the nicer Yamahas of the day for less $. The Citation series was quite good, None were as clear or refined as the better units today. I'm impressed by the current Yamaha A-S301-801 series integrateds for mass market units.
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I bought a HK-590i around ‘83 or ‘84 that my Mom is still using today. I still remember reading and being impressed by 45w per channel plus the high instantaneous current capability. I had no idea what it meant but it sounded like some thing I needed. Back then I recall Harman Kardon’s reputation being on par with the likes of Yamaha and Sony - aspirational products for someone with a paycheck like mine.
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I picked up an HK560 receiver and, after listening to it, sold my Sansui 5050 and Technics SA300 receivers. The HK had a really nice smooth tube-like sound that is great with low and mid range digital sources. I always wanted to get a Technics back in the day but I realize now that all their great specifications were just great hype, not great sound. The Sansui was good, just not as good as the HK.
HTH
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Where does vintage 80's Harman-Kardon Audio components rank against the Japanese brands from same era?
I don't know about the 80s but their 70s gear sound pretty good. People with the dual mono units rave about them.
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I have a HK 430 Twin Transformer from 1976, I bought off from EBay in order to refurbish and use it. I changed the cheesy binding posts, recapped what needed to be replaced. I even had a hospital grade power off to replace the rather thin power cord that came with it.
It was used to drive a pair of Gershman Audio x-1 and Sw-1 tower speakers.. the original review stated that these speakers needed at the very minimum 100 watts high current amp designs to be driven properly.
The HK drove them like a champ without much issue… and we are talking about the specified output of 37-40 watts per channel.
The twin transformer design is not gimmick and while it might not have the refinement of later SS designs, I have noticed the typical Harman Voicing, warm on the upper midrange but in a pleasant way that does not obscure details.
It is a win.
Other amps I am familiar with: McCormack, H2O audio, Bakoon, Lejonklou, Tubed 300B, Tubed F2as, Audiosector, Naim.
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My first "real" stereo had a HK receiver with Large Advents - it sounded pretty good but upgradeitis struck early on.
I later had a Citation 22 amp, it was okay but time marches on.