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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
fuenteclara
jl35
3,976 posts
 
the 430 had a reputation as the best of that line, even better than the higher up models...
xaviercg
9 posts
 
You have the best kept secret in audio!
Some history, the 430 was discovered
by Robert Fulton of FMI back in the mid
70's he preferred it to his Levinson ML1
He would it believe or not to drive his 
Premier 250lbs. speakers.
Would use his Bravura preamp., and tap into the amp. section of the 430
for those 30 watts.
Now naturally, the HK didn't have the
power to drive his speakers to full range especially when playing symphonic music but when playing small ensembles, vocals, jazz and chamber music it 's like the musicians
were in the room simply magical. 
Even by today's standards the HK430
is a keeper.
Incidentally, Bob was the engineer that 
pointed out to the audio industry
that speaker cable is a component,
when everyone was using zip cord wire.
Bob was an old school engineer new 
what music is suppose to sound like.

Well I hope this helps,

 Best regards and happy listening,

Xavier



fuenteclara OP
2 posts
 
xaviercg,
Many thanks for your kind and informative response.  I admired the work of Ropert Fulton and have a pair of his Premier speakers which I have had for 30 years and still consider it one of the very best speakers ever.  I never imagined that he knew about the HK 430 or that it could be used to drive the Premiers!
Best wishes.
Avondale
wrm57
1,040 posts
 
Love my 430 powering ADS L1290 mkii speakers. Amazing sound. I used to have a 930, too, but it went belly up.
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