Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver

Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver Review

Harman Kardon HK3480 Stereo Receiver Feature

• 240-watt stereo receiver (120 watts x 2) for 2-channel sources
• VMAx technology simulates surround-sound effect from dual speakers
• Composite video switching; AM/FM tuner with 30 presets
• 7 audio inputs, 4 video inputs, phono input, pre-out/main jacks, and subwoofer output
• Measures 17.4 x 6.6 x 15 inches (W x H x D)

Amazon.com Product Description Not everyone wants or needs a 5.1-channel receiver, which is where this HK3480 two-channel receiver from Harman Kardon comes into play. This ultra-high-bandwidth, 240-watt unit is perfect for fans of jazz, classical, or rock, as its powerful features bring out both the bombast and the nuance of your favorite music. The HK3480 is also one of the few stereo receivers to employ VMAx technology, a proprietary signal-processing technique that simulates a 360-degree sound field through a mere two speakers. The technology gives the listener the sensation of sitting in a concert hall or theater without requiring a surround sound setup.

Take a closer look at the HK3480's connections. You can also view the unit's front panel and remote control in detail.

Though the HK3480 is designed primarily for music, it also pumps out high-quality audio for your TV, DVD player, VCR, and video game console. It includes enough inputs for each of these components, along with composite video switching that allows you to conveniently switch between them. And unlike many current receivers, the unit offers a high-quality phono input (with preamp) for people who treasure the unique sound of LPs and don't want to give up their lifelong record collections.

The HK3480 also comes with an AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets, a three-step fluorescent display, and a multicomponent remote control. As with most modern receivers, it's ready to serve as the audio centerpiece of all your listening needs, with seven audio inputs and four video inputs (including one on the front panel). The inputs are gold-plated for quality. The unit also comes with pre-out/main-in jacks for use with external amplifiers or speaker processors and a separate subwoofer output. Hookup is simple due to the color-keyed connections.

The receiver's tuner section offers exceptional performance, from its high signal-to-noise ratio (73 dB in mono, 72 dB in stereo) to high (40 dB) channel separation for superior stereo imaging--not to mention strong tuning abilities with the help of better-than-80-dB image rejection and better-than-100-dB IF (intermediate frequency) rejection.

This component is equipped with a nonvolatile EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memory) that preserves tuner presets and system configuration information, even when the unit is not connected to a main power source.

What's in the Box
Stereo receiver, remote control, two AAA batteries, user's manual, and warranty/registration information. When two channels are all you need, make it two ultrahigh-bandwidth, high-current channels from the company that invented the stereo receiver. The HK 3480 features seven audio inputs, four video inputs (including one on the front panel), 30 AM/FM station presets, VMAx surround synthesis from stereo sources, three-step dimmable fluorescent display, a phono preamp, pre-out/main-in jacks, gold-plated inputs and a separate subwoofer output. Also included is a multicomponent system remote control.