i have a 430. it sounds good because they knew how to make a good receiver back then. and more power from the 730 proves more power dosent mean better sound. last i saw, the 430's were going for $200 and up on the bay.
Harman/Kardon Receiver
Sometime ago I acquired for $75.00 a Harman/Kardon 430 receiver in exellent condition (all original) for a small bedroom system. After having it serviced, I have recently begun to use it, and I am astonished at how musical it sounds. Associated equipment include Snell J IV speakers and a Cary 308-T cd player, interconnects are by The Cord Company and speaker cable is by NAIM. The sound is so musical and satisfying that I can listen to it all day without any listener fatigue at all. My question is if some of you experts on receivers could tell me why it sounds so good? I have no information at all about this receiver and would appreciate any insights the Audiogon family could provide.
For what it is worth, in the past I heard a Harman/Kardon 730 receiver and did not find it nearly as involving musically.
Thanks to all in advance and cheers.
Avondale
For what it is worth, in the past I heard a Harman/Kardon 730 receiver and did not find it nearly as involving musically.
Thanks to all in advance and cheers.
Avondale
- ...
- 12 posts total
The HK 430 is a bit of an anomaly. Not all receivers of that vintage sound so good. Prevalent use of discrete componentry, oversized power supply for the design and engineers who actually listened to the product probably explains most of it. I owned one, garage sale purchase for $20, took it home and gave it the classic Deoxit treatment. Ran it with a Nak CD player and a pair if Snell K monitors. Also ran Rogers LS3/5As, Spica TC 50s and various other monitors with satisfaction. A ridiculous product for the investment. |
i'm also a big fan of the hk x30 series and still own a 730 and 330, having also owned the 930 and 430 at various points. i've read that unlike everyone else, hk used very little negative feedback in their designs, which resulted in less interface and transient interface distortion (whatever those may be), which are supposed to much more audible than THD. i'm not sure about the tech stuff, but to my ears the hk always sounded more lifelike than the sansui, pioneer etc. of the same era. |
Here's a picture showing the output transistors for the 430. http://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/553442-harman_kardon_430_twin_receiver.jpg IMHO, that is one reason for the quality sound. I have had experience with many vintage units, and the ones using this type of output transistor always sound very good. BTW, same type of output transistor as the NAD 3020. |
- 12 posts total