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harman/kardon "Twin Power" Receivers

wyaldbill said:
Hey Oblomov, I may have to look for one of those 230's! Were they twin powered or just fit in with the "X"30 theme? If I go that route then I need a 330B, 330C, and the 230. Yikes.
Click to expand...

I always assumed that the 230 was beneath the 330 in the line -- it looks pretty basic, but shares the 330A, 630, 930 styling. There's a 230e listed at the H/K manuals site, but it's the later weird looking one with the tuning meter on top and rated a 15 watts per side. The 230e looks more like being around the time of the 430/730.

A 230 was listed on the 'bay recently, one channel out, though.
 
are quads (lke the 800+ I just got) a twin??

Anyone in the HK twin arena have the 800+ quad or the 900+? They are twin powered as well and you can switch them to dual channel. Nice look to them if you are ok with the JOY stick. Nice wood case and similar green glow and styling as the 630 and 930 editions.

I am delving in to a rebuild on the 800+. Any sound advice! Ha! :music:

Anyways, they should be considered a twin? right? which means I have a few more additions to make to the collection.

Cheers. B.
 
I am running a 75+ as a 2 channel in a bedroom setup. Very sweet through a pair of dynaco a25s. Only problem is the FM volume is gone, signal meter reacts, and if i turn it all the way up I can barely hear the station, so it is recieving signal just no volume to speak of, any ideas??

Need to fix, FM is the only reason the wife let's me have a system in the bedroom....:)
 
Old thread so I thought I would see how the group feels today about these units.

I have had a 630 for a number of years and have kept it but not used it much. I found the perfect amp to be so good that it is worth keeping just to use it as such. The preamp, I have been less enthusiastic about and usually subbed in a separate preamp, most recently a Soundcraftsman 2217.

The function lights have a problem ever since getting it. When I switch to aux, the Phono, Aux, FM and, FM Stereo lights all light up. On AM the AM and Phono lights are lit. On all other functions all is okay.

One thing I like about the receiver is unless the FM or AM is switched on, the dial lights are off that is good as unlike my other receivers the dial is black hence requiring lighting to be seen.

The tuner is decent, not great but pulls in well and good for me as I do not need DX'ing.

I have mated the amp with a number of preamps to drive a decent number of speakers and therein lies the magic of this receiver. The amp is more difficult for me to subjectively describe other than it is dynamic, instruments in an orchestra are neither to individualistic making it would like a gaggle of musicians doing there own thing nor so mashed up that it sounds like a smeared mass. But just in between well. Bass is not on the test speakers yielding a one note thump that seems to prevail all too often. Female vocals are neither too wispy and thin nor dark. No evidence of sibilence. Violins while not quite as good as my now gone major separates exhibit a decent depth to feel the strings and sense the reverb off the wood, likewise with cello. Coloration is low and not especially noticable to an extent where it disturbs.

Midrange with the receiver's preamp is a bit recessed but, not bad. With the external preamp this characteristic is not exhibited. The preamp is not bad but is the limiting factor, holding back the power amp from showing just how good it it. This is not uncommon btw. I have found with many integrated units that have a pre out, that either module can be compromising. I have found the preamp of the Marantz 1060 to be limited by the poweramp as well as the McIntosh MA6100 that is likewise compromised but, in its case with each module. Use the 6100 as a preamp or power amp and either way it shines. Use it as an integrated and we'll, it just does not make the grade a Mc should.

The H-K as a receiver is darker than my Philips units has more life than the Sony STR6120 that overall is better but seems more clinical. Against the Sherwood 7650 there is less of a difference with the Sherwood presenting a little more air but not thin.

As it is, on my Heresys IIs, I can see why Klipsch Heritage and older speakers have a soft spot for the line of the dual ps receivers. Some time ago, it seemed, with almost every enquiry on the Klipsch forum as to what receiver the H-K were more frequently brought up than any other series except for the usual high powered lovers. Not sure about now as I do not follow it.

On the ADS L300, the imaging and soundstage is not as good as with the Philips 785 and it get is more strident and on complex pieces seems almost to get confused by comparison. Pushing it only makes it worse. Subbing in the preamp clears most of it up but does not get rid of it. At low levels things clean up pretty well. The Philips still outshines it but this receiver on these speakers is synergy at its best even doing better than its larger siblings. The Sherwood S9500c has less depth and soundstage but when pushed a bit does not lose anything. I suspect the issue may be the power amp does not handle 4 ohms and lower as well as my other units. With the Klipsch nominally rated at 6 ohms (that is what is says on the back rather than the usual 8), Wharfedale and OLAs all seem good while on The Smaller Advents Loudspeaker this problems pops up and they also are 4 ohms so, hence my conclusion. It does not mean the amp design is bad as back then 4 ohms speakers were becoming more common but 8-16 ohm speakers still presented the biggest market share. At low levels with the ADS it all works. Just not quite the synergy az the ADS have with some of my other units.

I am going through my stock pile to thin things out and while most of my amps/receivers easily fall into the keep or sell piles, the H-K is in neither at this time. I think it will just boil down to whether I keep the Klipsch or ADS. With the Klipsch, a probable keeper for this pass but if the ADS, likely not.
 
eThink said:
h/k twin power! hk630 Receiver

Series 1: 1973-75
Price: $350

AM-FM stereo tuner-amplifier.
RMS power 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms(both channels driven) with 0.5% harmonic distortion at any frequency 20-20k Hz.
Overall frequency response 4-70k Hz +/-0.5dB(aux input), IHF power bandwidth 10-40k Hz.
Hum and noise -85dB(aux input).
IM distortion 0.15%.
FM sensitivity 1.9uV(IHF), S/N ratio 68dB.
Stereo separation 32dB@ 1k Hz with 0.7% harmonic distortion. IHF capture ratio 2.5dB.
Independent power supplies for each channel.
Defeatable interstation muting and loudness circuit.
High frequency filter.
Illuminated function indicators.
Connections for Dolby B(FM) processor.
External preamp-power amp junction.
Remote speaker outputs.
Front headphone jack.
Phones/main/remote/both speaker switches.


My first harman/kardon unit was the h/k 630 receiver in Feb 1973 (30 years ago).

This was h/k's first use of the "twin-power" design for a receivers and outside of the high-end Citation line.

This h/k was a nice unit, but it's 30 watts/RMS @ 8 ohms (conservative) rating was just adequate for use with the KLH 17 2-way acoustic speakers.


h/k Service Manual:

http://manuals.harman.com/hk/Service Manual/hk630 sm.pdf
Click to expand...

Hello, I've recently acquired one of these in absolutely perfect shape ( I assume it must have been cleaned and lamps replaced). Info online is difficult to find, but it works well with my Akai BTY500 and Mach 1 speakers. Can you explain to me what the "Twin Powered" feature does exactly? I'm new to this game and trying to get more informed.

Thanks!

TomIMG_0289.JPG
 
If I'm wrong someone please correct.
Twin powered means that, unlike most receivers, each channel has its own separate power supply board, transformer, and filter caps (two filters per channel).
 
Thanks, Buttahman. So is this supposed to make for a stronger or cleaner signal? Just curious what the hook was for "twin powered"when this thing was new?
 
Yes "twin powered" is for stronger, cleaner signal. 2 mono amps in one case. Harman Kardon used this design from from the 70's on. All of their high end Citation used this design, even their pre amps used this design. Later several other mfgs used this on their high end integrated amps, kenwood was one. onkyo was another. Stereo is separate signal paths, keep them separate and distinct for better sound quality.
 
:needpics:
eThink said:
Model Summary

Series 1 (1973-75)
Appearance: Analog Black Tuner Display / Silver Case
> h/k 630 (Power: 30w; Price: $350)
> h/k 930 (Power: 45w; Price: $475)

Series 2 (1976-78)
Appearance: Analog Black Tuner Display / Silver Case
> h/k 430 (Power: 25w; Price: $325)
> h/k 730 (Power: 40w; Price: $400)
> Citation Receiver (Power: 85w; Price $1200)

Series 3 (1979-80)
Appearance: Analog Silver Tuner Display / Silver Case
> h/k 560 (Power: 40w; Price: $400)
> h/k 670 (Power: 60w; Price: $550)

Series 4 (1981-83)
> Appearance: Digital Tuner Display / Silver Case
> h/k 680 (Power: 60w; Price: $650)
Click to expand...

:needpics:
 
A question for the 430 / 730 owners ... on the front panel, between the FM and AM frequency scales, what is the 0 to 100 scale supposed to indicate? I have been trying to figure out what those numbers are for and I'm baffled.

Thanks in advance to @tk_polkhead for letting me use his image. :beerchug: (I boxed the numbers in red)
 

Attachments

  • HK 430 Twin Power 0 to 100 Dial.jpg
    HK 430 Twin Power 0 to 100 Dial.jpg
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I think it was just for personal reference in helping find your favorite stations.

You made a note of where stations that you liked to listen to were on the scale, rather than necessarily remembering actual frequencies.

This was used on other receivers of the time, too.
 
Sort of like how you see thrift store tuners marked with china marker or some such demarking favorite stations.

and also kind of like using a tape counter noting beginnings of songs. but, of course you always had to remember to reset the counter to "0000" at beginning of tape!

I must say, I've never used either.
 
Brian said:
Old thread so I thought I would see how the group feels today about these units.

I have had a 630 for a number of years and have kept it but not used it much. I found the perfect amp to be so good that it is worth keeping just to use it as such. The preamp, I have been less enthusiastic about and usually subbed in a separate preamp, most recently a Soundcraftsman 2217.

The function lights have a problem ever since getting it. When I switch to aux, the Phono, Aux, FM and, FM Stereo lights all light up. On AM the AM and Phono lights are lit. On all other functions all is okay.

One thing I like about the receiver is unless the FM or AM is switched on, the dial lights are off that is good as unlike my other receivers the dial is black hence requiring lighting to be seen.

The tuner is decent, not great but pulls in well and good for me as I do not need DX'ing.

I have mated the amp with a number of preamps to drive a decent number of speakers and therein lies the magic of this receiver. The amp is more difficult for me to subjectively describe other than it is dynamic, instruments in an orchestra are neither to individualistic making it would like a gaggle of musicians doing there own thing nor so mashed up that it sounds like a smeared mass. But just in between well. Bass is not on the test speakers yielding a one note thump that seems to prevail all too often. Female vocals are neither too wispy and thin nor dark. No evidence of sibilence. Violins while not quite as good as my now gone major separates exhibit a decent depth to feel the strings and sense the reverb off the wood, likewise with cello. Coloration is low and not especially noticable to an extent where it disturbs.

Midrange with the receiver's preamp is a bit recessed but, not bad. With the external preamp this characteristic is not exhibited. The preamp is not bad but is the limiting factor, holding back the power amp from showing just how good it it. This is not uncommon btw. I have found with many integrated units that have a pre out, that either module can be compromising. I have found the preamp of the Marantz 1060 to be limited by the poweramp as well as the McIntosh MA6100 that is likewise compromised but, in its case with each module. Use the 6100 as a preamp or power amp and either way it shines. Use it as an integrated and we'll, it just does not make the grade a Mc should.

The H-K as a receiver is darker than my Philips units has more life than the Sony STR6120 that overall is better but seems more clinical. Against the Sherwood 7650 there is less of a difference with the Sherwood presenting a little more air but not thin.

As it is, on my Heresys IIs, I can see why Klipsch Heritage and older speakers have a soft spot for the line of the dual ps receivers. Some time ago, it seemed, with almost every enquiry on the Klipsch forum as to what receiver the H-K were more frequently brought up than any other series except for the usual high powered lovers. Not sure about now as I do not follow it.

On the ADS L300, the imaging and soundstage is not as good as with the Philips 785 and it get is more strident and on complex pieces seems almost to get confused by comparison. Pushing it only makes it worse. Subbing in the preamp clears most of it up but does not get rid of it. At low levels things clean up pretty well. The Philips still outshines it but this receiver on these speakers is synergy at its best even doing better than its larger siblings. The Sherwood S9500c has less depth and soundstage but when pushed a bit does not lose anything. I suspect the issue may be the power amp does not handle 4 ohms and lower as well as my other units. With the Klipsch nominally rated at 6 ohms (that is what is says on the back rather than the usual 8), Wharfedale and OLAs all seem good while on The Smaller Advents Loudspeaker this problems pops up and they also are 4 ohms so, hence my conclusion. It does not mean the amp design is bad as back then 4 ohms speakers were becoming more common but 8-16 ohm speakers still presented the biggest market share. At low levels with the ADS it all works. Just not quite the synergy az the ADS have with some of my other units.

I am going through my stock pile to thin things out and while most of my amps/receivers easily fall into the keep or sell piles, the H-K is in neither at this time. I think it will just boil down to whether I keep the Klipsch or ADS. With the Klipsch, a probable keeper for this pass but if the ADS, likely not.
Click to expand...
Hi, sorry to bring this out of hibernation but I hoped you could give me a quick opinion. I'm considering having an old HK 630 overhauled and it might be kind of expensive (I'm not a collector, just someone who wants to play with some of my old equipment and replace my modern black box's). My question is I also have my old Citation Eleven preamp and would that be a big improvement over the 630's preamp, and is it easy to connect them together?). I'm trying to determine if it's worth the expense to overhaul the 630. Thank you.
 
Skotyman said:
Hi, sorry to bring this out of hibernation but I hoped you could give me a quick opinion. I'm considering having an old HK 630 overhauled and it might be kind of expensive (I'm not a collector, just someone who wants to play with some of my old equipment and replace my modern black box's). My question is I also have my old Citation Eleven preamp and would that be a big improvement over the 630's preamp, and is it easy to connect them together?). I'm trying to determine if it's worth the expense to overhaul the 630. Thank you.
Click to expand...


Glad you brought this out of hibernation. I'd missed this one. I'll have to make sure all the details in my guide to these are correct. https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...ies-430-630-730-and-930.960074/#post-14792828

Your 630 has pre-out and main-in jacks, so, yes, you can use your Citation Eleven as a preamp and the 630 as just an amp.
 
That's an interesting point--I've been using the DAC and preouts from an old Pioneer VSX-1120 into my 430. Not sure what the best way to configure is...volume all the way up on the 430?
 
dlucy said:
Glad you brought this out of hibernation. I'd missed this one. I'll have to make sure all the details in my guide to these are correct. https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...ies-430-630-730-and-930.960074/#post-14792828

Your 630 has pre-out and main-in jacks, so, yes, you can use your Citation Eleven as a preamp and the 630 as just an amp.
Click to expand...

Hi there, I just picked up a HK 630 Twin and one of the screw-on fuse caps is missing, do you know where I could find the right one to replace it?
 
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