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What's up with Harmon Kardon receiver line?

Let's face it, as big of a corporation as Harmon International is, shouldn't Harmon Kardon be pushing AV receivers a little harder?!
I personally have thought highly of the Harmon sound mostly over years. In fact, I think their receiver line has offered otherwise excellent performance for the money - if making high current, very clean sounding pieces throughout the line!
Actually, of all the mass-marketed AV receivers I've dealt with over the years, I feel the Harmon-sound has been at the top of the heap sonically, dollar per dollar, over the years - especially at the lower price points.
But let's be honest, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo (especially as of late), and Marantz have always out shined Harmon Kardon in marketing their receiver products - even being more "up to date" on their features and such. SO WHAT GIVES?!!!
I noticed Harmon basically offers some entry level pieces across the board with the latest features and tech (minus the superb Audyssey - boooooooooo!), and no higher end upgraded pieces.
Anyone else's thoughts on Harmon Kardon and their place in the AV receiver world?
iplaynaked
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,525 posts
 
I would give HK serious consideration if I were to buy an A/V receiver. I recall some good things with HK sound in the past.

The H/K speakers in my Toshiba laptop sound really good for built in laptop speaks, for what its worth.
niki_69
19 posts
 
I,m not shure about their receiver line, but their new stereo integrated, model HK 990, caught my attention.2/150W at 8 ohms,2/300 at 4 ohms,100 amps high curent design,balanced inputs and outputs,DIGITAL and USB inputs,DAB radio and phono stage,2 sub-out.Discrete components and audiophile grade preamp section.The quoted weight is 40 lb.(19,6 kg.).Short of Bryston integrated(with optional DAC),there is nothing like that on the market.Good to see HK has not forgotten the 2 ch. crowd.Will be looking forward for audition or reviews.
russ_l
95 posts
 
Niki_69- could not find the HK990 on the HK's US website, but then found it on their European site, plus other stuff not available here yet. Very interesting piece.

Russ
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,525 posts
 
The HK 990 sounds very nice.

Anyone know if it is Class D and whether it will be available in the US?

How much does it cost?
russ_l
95 posts
 
Mapman- just received this response from HK

"Good afternoon and thank you for your inquiry. The HK 990 is a European product only. We will not be bringing it to the U.S. We have a similar model, such as the HK 3490".

We'll all have to move to Europe to get the good stuff; I'm sure the 3490 does not live up to the 990.

Niki- thanks for letting us know though.

Russ
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