Is Harman Kardon a good brand to recommend for mid-fi?

TKonrad.NOLA · « **on:** 12 Feb 2009, 08:01 pm »

Years ago, HK was a pretty decent buy, but these days I have no idea.

I have a coworker who is in no way an audiophile, but he wants more than a shelf-system. He is only interested in 2-channel and I was going to recommend a HK receiver and an Apple Airport Express. On paper that HK3490 receiver looks like a great buy at the price and gets him everything he needs under $300. I do know he is trying to spend as little as possible.

I am going to give him a pair of speakers. Either Swans D2.1SE or Ascend Sierra-1. Depends on which one I can spare. Depending on the day, one or the other is my favorite monitor.

My 2nd choice was going to be Audioengine A5 Speakers and an Airport Express/iPod.

doorman · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 08:12 pm »

HK was indeed a revered marque. The current stuff,? not saying it's the case, but typically when a brand falls into the hands of large Corps, most everything possible is sacrificed,corners are cut left and right, bells/whistles usually become more prominent.
For 300 bucks, it may be an ok buy though, as absolute sound quality may not be his #1 priority.
Good Luck!
Don

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 08:23 pm »

I had a HK 3400 receiver that I bought factory reconditioned for half price. Bought it based on reviews and rather strong company history. Huge power supply, really good imaging, great sound (better than my Rotel).

But a diode kept blowing. Took it in twice for servicing (under warrantee). HK said if it blew again they'd replace it. But it didn't get used much (in a 2nd system) so by the time I found it had blown again the warrantee had expired.

That was about 7 years ago, don't know what their stuff is like now.

Occam · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 08:25 pm »

DdigitalDude,

Excellent choice, IMO. I was quite surprised by the quality of this component, given the price. An inexpensive, non invasive tweak is to replace the nickel plated steel links joining the preamp section to the power amp section at the back with aftermarket links; Tara, AudioQuest, JenaLabs work quite well, or DIY your own.

Regards,
Paul

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 08:27 pm »

I've got a Harman Kardon AVR645 that is being used as a preamp, switching source, and master volume control for two channel and home theater. Overall I give the unit a "10" in all categories that relate to two channel (couple home theater things I'd like to see get changed, but irrelevant to this topic). The sound quality is fantastic in my opinion and so far everybody else that's heard it seems to agree. I was using it as the two channel main amp until a tube amp fell in my lap, now the tubes are the main amp which is fed by the 645's pre-outs.
So, in my opinion, H/K is a very nice unit. Highly recommended. Are there better units out there? Oh definitely, but can they compare to the $300 price vs sound quality?

I fact, it's sounds so good, I'll let that "mid-fi" comment slide since you haven't heard the rig.

Bob

low.pfile · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 09:23 pm »

Quote from: Occam on 12 Feb 2009, 08:25 pm

DdigitalDude,

Excellent choice, IMO. I was quite surprised by the quality of this component, given the price. An inexpensive, non invasive tweak is to replace the nickel plated steel links joining the preamp section to the power amp section at the back with aftermarket links; Tara, AudioQuest, JenaLabs work quite well, or DIY your own.

Regards,
Paul

Paul, which HK model do/did you have?

I know the links you mean since my NAD int amp had them. What did you use? I haven't seen the unit in person. they never have them in store. but the HK3490 is at the top of the list for my friend who will be in need of a receiver. she won't go with used equip and nothing over $350.

cheers, ed

2gumby2 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Feb 2009, 11:50 pm »

I recommend taking a look at the Onkyo TX-8555 or TX-8255. I have the 8255 and it is a very nice inexpensive 2-channel receiver.

JohnR · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 01:27 am »

FWIW I've found Cambridge Audio (the British company, not Cambridge Soundworks) to be good budget equipment. I have their 540 series DVD player and receiver (older versions).

Looking at US prices they might not be quite such good value there as they are here... but anyway, perhaps something to look into.

Zero · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 02:28 am »

I concur with Occam. HK's stereo receivers (particular of the mid-late 90's vintage) were awesome for the money. I replaced a lot of VERY respected (and much more expensive separates) with the cheap little receiver because it simply makes music sound more involving. I abused the shit outta my 3475 and it took the abuse well, but the final straw was when I accidentally knocked over a glass of water into it as it was passing signal. DOH!

I can't comment on today's crop of gear, but for the asking price, I find them to be a solid buy.

Occam · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 03:49 am »

Low.phile,

The HK receiver I'm familiar with is the 3480. The consensus, FWIW, based on net chatter, is that the 3490 is an all around better component. I've not heard the 3490 myself.
My jumpers are built each with a 3" length of dead soft annealed .070" diameter pure silver available from myrontoback.com
http://www.myrontoback.com/47.html
a bit less than 13ga
soldered at each end to the center pin of a Tiffany style rca plug, which is a gold plated center pin mounted in a teflon cylindrical 'donut', as shown below -

I've used the PartsExpress versions -
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=091-400
The Tiffany style center plug provides those donuts to grip for removal and insertion and the thick silver wire provides bulk and solidity if one isn't so gentle.

Those steel links IMO are a malicious piece of passive agressive manufacturing.

FWIW,
Paul

Edit for correct myrontoback link

SwedeSound · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 04:35 am »

I couldn't agree more, Paul. (welcome home, by the by). I can attest that the 3480 is a very nice piece of equipment. I'm perfectly happy with it as my main amplification component, but would be completely comfortable with the 3490 as well. I've heard good things. My unit has plenty of power, excellent detail and has benefited greatly by Paul's custom jumpers and power cord. I can't see shopping for a new amp for many years to come.

-Jason

low.pfile · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 04:45 am »

Thanks for the info paul! Thanks for sharing your recipe. Might have to get out my solder to make a gift for my friend.

didn't know you were a cable builder. just saw your signature link. Cool.

mp9 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 05:23 am »

i have a hk880vxi msrp $800 circa 1989 collecting dust in the basement, o.k. not really, it's in the box. problem is the volume and balance often need to be cleaned with ratshack tv tuner cleaner to function. i've seen the same thing occur with other models in the line too. they really should be replaced with better ones only after i began using tubes i've no desire to go back to it. it did sound very nice for a s.s. receiver, even used it to drive a proac resp 1sc for a while.

Nick77 · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Feb 2009, 11:44 am »

Can someone document this upgrade if your able to move forward. I need photo's.

Does this apply to other models of HK?

Occam · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Feb 2009, 06:59 pm »

It applies to any receiver/integrated amp that has jumpers/links connecting a 'pre-out' to a 'power-in'. NAD,HK, Brystron, etc... Ya gots to look on the back of your component.

Get 4 of these doobers from 2 pairs of Tiffany style rca plugs (discussed above)-

1. Take 2 4" pieces of wire, your choice. If insulated, strip enough insulation on each each end so that the bare wire fits into the donut far enough to be seen through the little 'scallop' (the scooped out part right above the white base) at the base the cylindrical plug.
2. Solder the wire in that 'scallop', making sure none of the solder goes on the outside of the plug which might inhibit full insertion.
3. Carefully bend the two newly terminated jumpers to fit where the previous jumpers were.
4. Insert.
5. Sit and ponder how whatever effect takes place, if psychological or objectively measureable. Repeat as necessary.

FWIW,
Paul

whubbard · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Feb 2009, 10:20 pm »

Paul,

Do you not bother connecting the shield/ground wire?
Also, while I like to DIY, for $25 + free shipping the AudioQuest jumpers on amazon seem like a nice quick solution.

-West

p.s. I owe you another email.

Occam · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 01:00 am »

West,

At that price, I'd go with the Audioquest. I actually have an older version of those jumpers on my NAD in the TV system. I've compared them to my own recipe, and really couldn't tell the difference.

The ground isn't necessary in the links because the pre-amp and poweramp sections already share a common ground. If you don't mind going inside and invalidating whatever warranty, its easiest to solder a wire for each channel internally connecting the pre to the power amp, and skip the surperfluous connections.

-Paul

whubbard · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 01:32 am »

Quote from: Occam on 16 Feb 2009, 01:00 am

If you don't mind going inside and invalidating whatever warranty, its easiest to solder a wire for each channel internally connecting the pre to the power amp, and skip the surperfluous connections.

Open the HK and solder something inside

...Might have already done that.

But in this case I actually like having this as a pre because it is very useful to test with. It allows me to use just the pre, or just the amp.
I think I'll just use the Audioquest ones.

-West

Mike B. · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 02:13 am »

I bought the 80 watt HK receiver they offered a year ago for my bedroom. I was very surprised at the level of sound it offered. I could easily see a decent system under $1K centered around a HK receiver.

mjosef · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Feb 2009, 05:57 am »

Mid-fi...and reaching for hi-fi.
I have a HK cd changer, and its very good for the Benjamin I paid for it(refurb. via HK)...made even better with a little DIY power cable swap...now I think it surpasses my Cambridge Audio 540 cdp.