What are my preamp choices?

Here is the exact text used in the manual when referring to the processor input:
"PROCESSOR Analog Inputs. These Inputs
go directly to the power amplifier section
of the HK 990, bypassing the Volume and
Tone Control. Here you can connect the
Front Channel Pre Out L+R signals from an
external surround processor, to benefit from
the superior power of the HK 990 and control
volume from the processor. NOTE: Only use
the Processor Input with a device that has its
own volume control! "

Sound good to go then by that, it would have been good to print that a bit better on the back of the amp and segregate it from the source input lot, by putting it by itself like the pre out is, and calling it poweramp input instead.

Cheers George

I’m late to the discussion but I am looking to hook up a Cambridge 851D to my HK990.

I contacted Harman Kardon and Cambridge Audio to find out if these components are compatible before purchasing the 851D. Still waiting for a response from HK but here is the response I received from Cambridge Audio…

"You can totally connect the Cambridge Audio Azur 851D to the Harman Kardon HK990. You can do that in several ways. You could use a digital input on the HK, but the best connection you have available would be to use the XLR output connectors on the back of the Cambridge into the HK XLR input. If you don’t have anything hooked to those on the HK you can expect some amazing sound with those hooked ups."