SWL Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I recently made some changes in my main system that have turned out to be the biggest improvement to date. On my RF-7's I have Crown XTI 2000's powering the bass. As a lot of you may know, XTI's do a poor job on the highs......but to give credit where credit is due, they do a fantastic job in the bass dept. whether it's powering a sub or the bass in a loudspeaker. Now for the good part. I took my Harmon Kardon 430 vintage receiver (30wpc) and used it to power the highs. Don't let the 30 watts fool you. This peice of vintage gear that I paid only $50.00 for has done wonders for my system. It's not only the highs that have improved but to my surprise it has enhanced the sound quality of the bass,too. This is my thumbs up for vintage gear and anyone who is running RF-7's the HK430 will mellow out your highs and still make them sound crisp with great detail. I'm enjoying my system like never before. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 SWL, as you already know, I hooked up a HK PA 2100 to my system. It's 14 yrs old, and I've never heard my system sound so good before! I've already said it twice, and I'lll say it again. I probably have the best sounding synergy system on the forum now! Like you said, don't be fooled and let HK's low wattage fool you! That 65 wpc my HK produces sounds a lot bettter than the claimed 130 wpc from my receiver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Amen brother. [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted February 11, 2009 Moderators Share Posted February 11, 2009 A rare time I am home by myself, and the HK 930 is playing right now at about 90db on the Cornwalls, sounds good. [Y] The same Cornwalls sounded flat and dull on my Yamaha RX-v730 . The first time I first played the HK 930 Michael Colter was here, when he turned it on I went to turn off the sub. I forgot it was not even connected to the HK, he laughed and said " I knew what it was going to sound like". [8] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 This is the first HK product I've owned or really ever heard. I'm sort of mad at myself now. Had I known, I would have gone HK instead of Pioneer. I've been using Pioneer receivers for about 10 yrs now.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted February 11, 2009 Moderators Share Posted February 11, 2009 I don't think vintage Hk is the same a a new HK receiver for Ht. Just a guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyboy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Dunno? [*-)] HK receiver owners?? Thoughts?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 I owned a new HK receiver (can't remember which model) a couple years ago. I was not impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I know what you guys mean. I have a 730 hooked up to Cornwalls and I love it. [H] I also have a 930 but it needs some work so it is sitting to the side for the moment. [:'(] I was very surprised about my Marantz 2238b and Yamaha 1020. The sound from those are also great.... James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audible Nectar Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Dunno? HK receiver owners?? Thoughts?? The older H/K was a great match for Heritage in solid state gear. The 430 and 930 have a synergy, and the 80's era gear was good too. They had a PM series of integrateds (PM 645, 655, 665 - the 665 was a BEAST, boasting separate power supplies for each amp channel), and a corresponding "Vxi" receiver line that was good on Klipsch (although the early Nak Stasis receivers were better). Once HK went to HT the early HT receivers had some real "dog" preamp sections (especially when using the analog inputs) but the same timelined separate power amps sound fine. Haven't checked out HKs more recent offerings in HT receivers. If it was built prior to about 1989 (which puts you in 2 channel stuff), it's probably very good bang for the buck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 I originally intended on hooking up my Marantz 2230 to the highs but it didn't work for some reason. I'm gonna pop it open tomorrow and see if I blew a fuse or something. The HK430 was sitting right there, so I figured I'd give it a try. Now, you can't get me out of that room. [Y] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Robin Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I tried a new HK 2 channel receiver and was not impressed enough to keep it; a good buddy has it now just for guitar hero. Later Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I used a Citation 11 preamp and matching amp for several years. The amp is very heavy for a 60wpc amp. Still stored in my audio closet. Really ought to sell some of this stuff someday... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me Loves Khorns Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 My first system had an HK from the early 80's in it. I still use it in the bedroom with some cornwalls, and it still sounds great. I have always thought that it has great "grunt" in the bass end of things. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Scott, What are you using to split the signal between your receiver and amp? I need to get my Dynaco ST-70 working so I can do the same with my Pioneer SX-1980 receiver except the Pioneer will be driving the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 12, 2009 Author Share Posted February 12, 2009 A "Y" splitter on the right and left pre-outs of the preamp. In your case, you would run out of your Pioneer's main outs to the lows on your 7's..........then run out of your Pioneer's pre-outs to your Dynaco's and then to the highs on the 7's. Tubes on the highs and ss on the lows would probably give you very good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southern Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 That's about as simple as you can get. I guess that I have been overthinking this for too long, I was thinking I needed to put an active crossover before the amps so they would only amplify the frequencies that are sent to the lows/highs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWL Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 I need to get my Dynaco ST-70 working so I can do the same with my Pioneer SX-1980 receiver except the Pioneer will be driving the bass. Sounds like that would work very good for the 7's. They need lots of power in the bass dept. and the low powered tubes on the horns should be sweet. Don't worry about the crossover. When do you think you'll have it hooked up this way? I'm curious to hear the results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I know I recently picked up an HK670 Flagship model from 1979 and can't be more pleased how the LaScala's sound on it[] As a matter a fact I got an email from a second guy who knew I was looking and he has another HK670 he wants $79.00 plus shipping if any of you are interested I can link you up[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLSamuel Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Congratulations on your purchase. As a matter a fact I got an email from a second guy who knew I was looking and he has another HK670 he wants $79.00 plus shipping if any of you are interested I can link you up Sounds tempting but it'd probably cost quite a bit to ship and the boss would probably string me up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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