Harman Kardon 330c

[timewarp]

Harmon Kardon 330C- any thoughts on the quality? how about fm reception? i'm contemplating buying one.
thank you........

 

[rBuckner]

It sounds bigger than the 20 or so watts a channel it is. Not the best nor worst build quality. The tuner isn't the best but this was at or near the bottom of their line so that's to be expected. It's okay for local broadcasts though. I do like the look of them!

 

[timewarp]

yeah, looks do matter. but weak fm reception can drive me off the deep end. have receivers and tuners gotten better at this over the years?

 

[BinaryMike]

It's an excellent little receiver, generally speaking, but the dial drum shaft on the tuning capacitor has a tendency to spontaneously disintegrate. It can be repaired with a bit of trickery, but if you're shopping, try to get one without this defect.

 

[dumptruck]

It's a favorite, but if FM is a big deal to you, you may want to consider looking for an integrated amp so that you can experiment with the best stand-alone tuners your budget allows, modern and vintage.

 

[timewarp]

the budget here is about 20 bucks.
ref the "dial drum shaft on the tuning capacitor", that is above my pay grade. so far i'm into the sound, and the look, with a little interior dusting.

 

[dumptruck]

For $20, an HK330c is not likely to be beat in any respect. P.S. check out various DIY FM antenna designs and calculators online to make your own out of some cheap wire if you end up needing better reception.

 

[BinaryMike]

ref the "dial drum shaft on the tuning capacitor", that is above my pay grade.

What happens is that you can rotate the tuning knob and the dial pointer moves normally but the tuning capacitor doesn't. So the tuner remains tuned to one station, or, more likely, it's tuned off-station and stays that way. The whole tuning system might go to pieces when the cabinet top is removed.

 

[DonQuixote99]

It's an excellent little receiver, generally speaking, but the dial drum shaft on the tuning capacitor has a tendency to ly disintegrate. It can be repaired with a bit of trickery, but if you're shopping, try to get one without this defect.

Hah! Had that problem, but it wasn't spontaneous, I had the thing upside down and sideways trying to get at I don't remember what and I managed to get the bits apart. Took quite a while, head scratching until I made a hole, and trickery, to get it back together....

Agree you'll be a long time finding a better receiver for $20.00. Excellent sound quality.

 

[finnbow]

Not to be contrary, but I took over a 330C over to Merrylander's for a little tweaking last year and we were amazed at its reception. We had no antenna on it in the beginning, but were picking up Baltimore and Washington stations from at least 30 miles away. We were amazed. A nice $15 pickup that punches far above its asking price.

 

[timewarp]

just passed on buying it. after a few minutes, one channel dropped out. don't think it was the speaker. also didn't like the speaker switches, which were beat up from use. probably could have had it for $10, but, life is complicated enough. but, it sounded nice until then. very smooth, very bass, not much high end. and the lights worked. might have made a nice night light.

 

[dspear99ca]

For $10 expect to put some time in cleaning switches and pots, etc. Myself I've got enough stuff that needs a little help and never even consider stuff like that any more.

 

[DonQuixote99]

Ah. You want to spend $20.00 or less, you need to make the acquaintance of a product called 'Deoxit.' It's just a little step past 'interior dusting,' which you said you do.... Search on this board.

It like as not would bring the missing channel right back. $10.00 for the unit and $10.00 for the can of Deoxit, and you'll have plenty of Deoxit left for further adventures....

Basically, there's not much chance of finding vintage equipment for $20.00 or less that doesn't need Deoxit....

 

[Bucky Badger]

I love mine and have no complaints and will always have some version of the 330.
I agree with DonQuixote99. It takes just a few min. and can really help.
His last sentence is especially true. Whenever I do pick up a vintage piece and am cleaning the inside I will always give the pots a shot of Deox.

 

[J English]

Have two 330B s and one 430C Harman Kardon, also a 590i. They are my favorite receivers. The 330B receivers are just fine, powerful and I think the tuners are good. Other good inexpensive receivers include silverface Yamahas. Do not overlook the eBay option. Both my 330s were purchased shipped for about $40 each and the Yammie CR420 cost about the same. Good sound, minor cosmetic flaws. If you are willing to accept a little risk, there are amazing deals out there to be had for VG equipment. Go forth!

 

[Huskybass]

I love mine. It has a real nice warm sound, and pushes some vintage Polk Audio Monitor 7's nicely. It's great for my condo living room set up, and has a great look as well.

 

[dlucy]

The 330c is very easy to open up and work on. It doesn't have the same warmth as the prior cap-coupled 330/330A/330B, but it sounds great.

I haven't looked at the FM IF board for this specifically, but it is new enough you may be able to retrofit new style filters for tighter reception. Fmtunerinfo.com is a good source for such.