[nodiak]

Bought this on a nostalgic whim and am surprised how good it sounds. Gives my lm3875 gainclone some competition. It has a strong hiss in one channel that needs fixed, if it's a major repair I'll sell the unit cheap. But everything works and sounds good so hoping a cleaning will do it.
Anyway I expected it to be somewhat muffled, flat soundstage, irritating highs and just put it in the shop with funky speakers. But it's pretty clear, 3d soundstage and smoothish highs. A little to much punch in the bass for me, but just a little and tone controls solve that.
Not bad at all.
Don

[Wind Chaser]

HK in the late 70's was pretty decent stuff, but I'm surprised you could compare a 330C to a gainclone.  That sure makes me wonder how well the 430 or one of the other HK receivers with dual power supplies would compare to a LM3875.

[nodiak]

I think well restored and adjusted to spec the 330C would be a good backup, budget or 2nd system. This gainclone is a basic chipamp kit and has that gc goodness but a little bit harsh in highs and little bit slow/round in the bass. The guy who built it added large outboard 10,000uF ps caps and strayed from the design a little. Seems the last few years have seen some improvements in gc designs, wouldn't mind hearing some of these.
Am pleasantly surprised at the HK, the 430 and up could be nicer from what I've read. I'm listening to a Pioneer SX-828 now that has more of the treble excess that bugs me personally, but it could fit others senses better and is pretty decent overall too.
For me it's good to listen to these older units. I've gotten into tube amps but wanted to "touch base" with some 70's receivers for some perspective. I think they still have a place and would live with the HK...if I had to.
Don

[TheChairGuy]

If the HK has been sitting for a while....you might find a couple hundred hours again running in everything to be illuminating to you.

I bought a circa-1979 preamp (a Mitsubishi) and I had comments much like yours initially...ie., shows promise, not bad, glad I didn't pay much for it.

Somewhere into it's first or second week....it started loosening up and now is my everyday preamp (fabulous phono section).  It definitely could be improved with new caps...but I'm just too happy with it now to part with it (all $140 spent on it...including tuner as it is a preamp/tuner/dual mono with MM and MC phono sections).

I can afford a lot pricier gear...but am pretty dang happy with it as is.

Enjoy - John

[nodiak]

Hi John, it did open up after a few hours, image was fairly condensed in the middle at first. Will get more hours on it and hear what else it has hidden. Tho want to deal with the hiss asap. Switched around between the gc, Pioneer, HK and the HK is more listenable for sure. If I can make the hiss go away I think it's going to be Pioneer for sale, gc in the shop, and HK as backup.
But my speaks are a little bright now, playing to the HK's character, so we'll see/hear...tube amp returns in a few days anyway...
Don

[TheChairGuy]

Dual mono & dual power supplies are great things for audio....HK was well ahead of its time with the 'c' series 

I was stunned after hour 100 or so with my preamp/tuner...I figure this old Mitsui was probably sitting idle for 10 years or longer before I bought it. 

John

[Wind Chaser]

HK's build quality from that era was pretty impressive.  But as I recall the Advent model 300 and particularly the NAD 3020 overshadowed HK in the press.  I wish I had compared them back then.  I always equated NAD as entry level mid fi and HK a notch below.  Perhaps that assessment wasn't correct after all.  About that same time Yamaha also made some amps / receivers that sounded quite smooth reminiscent of Technics New Class A and Kenwood's High Speed designs.

[nodiak]

I gave up on NAD in the 90's when their highly rated cdp died on me within a day or so after warranty period. Had a natural sound Yammie and liked it pretty well - was in my sons early years so it and tt sat up on a 5' shelf, and speakers hung up high in the corner  . I never got deeper into the amp/receiver scene then, but was way into diy speakers.
I've been over to AudioKarma and the HK's get alot of respect for sound quality, a little less so for build quality from some. It's always down to what hits an individuals senses anyway (as with the reviewer's of course). I'm best with "warmer" amps, which is where this HK resides in the ss receiver species. Doesn't have the same atmosphere of tubes, but not a cringer by any means.
John, unfortunately no dual ps, that's in 430 and up.
Don

[timind]

I owned a 330A way back in 72, love a stroll down memory lane. I've owned several HK amps since then and have enjoyed most of them. Favorite was the 60 wpc PA-2200. Least favorite was the totally unreliable 1.5 Signature.

[nodiak]

It's fun, and grounding really to feel the history. I have a Scott 222C that's been out of my system for 6 months or so, getting it back in a few days. Listening to it again will show another stepping stone back. Will be an interesting comparison. Stepping from '60's tubes to '70's ss. Never have heard an HK Citation, would love to.
Don

[TheChairGuy]

John, unfortunately no dual ps, that's in 430 and up.
Don

Oh.....didn't realize that...glad you told me (in case I wafted down memory lane one day, too, and wanted a Twin-Power HK)

Regards, John

[doug s.]

wintage hk gear is amazingly good.  and the receivers have excellent tunas in them as well.  i would also recommend looking at wintage sansui integrated amps.  models like au717/719, & au9900/11000/20000 still command respectable prices, & for good reason.  i have a sansui au11000, & i would put it up against any solid state integrated amp at any price.  at the $400-$800 these typically go for, (depending on condition, time of year, alignment of the planets, etc), these are a steal, imo...

doug s.

[acwd1950]

I own a 330B and love it. Also got a 430, 630,930 and a 340, a pair HK 20s and HK40s. The 340, I love the looks of but the sounds not there. The 430 and 630 sound great and love them. The 930 needs repaired and cant wait until I get it fixed and hook it to these Boston Acoustics speakers.

Steve

[AudioSoul]

  I have the 330, dont know what letter designation, but it sounds great with my Polk monitors in my shop. I only use the tuner but the bass is incredible for such a small reciever.....