Harman HK 3370 2 Channels Receiver

The Harman Kardon HK3370 is the only stereo receiver on the market I know of that has preamp out/main-in connections. This means you can use this unit as a separate stereo preamplifier, or main amplifier. Before purchasing this unit, I used to have the Harman Kardon HK3250 stereo receiver. The 3250 had preamp outputs, but no main-in connections. I sold the 3250 and bought an audio/video receiver, the Denon AVR-1801. The Denon was missing something for stereo music, (or 5 channel stereo) so I bought the HK3370 to supplement the front two channels (remember, the HK3370 has main amplifier inputs, so I could run the preamp outputs of the Denon receiver to the HK). What a difference the HK3370 made for 2 channel music playback (and movies also). The HK3370 has a warmth to it that the Denon did not have. Music sounded much more natural. Maybe my speakers and the HK3370 were made for each other.

The reviewer who did not like the sound of the HK3370 certainly has that right. Music listening is a very personnal thing. I did not like the Denon receiver for music, yet it has received many good reviews. Since I am using the HK3370 as an amplifier only, the preamp in the Denon AVR1801 has a very profound affect on the overall sound. I have always liked the HK sound, and feel the HK 3370 and the Denon make a very good pair.

Harman Kardon receivers and amplifiers usually have very conservative power ratings. 70 watts per channel for the HK3370 is more than enough to deliver clean power to my front left/right speakers. Many of todays AVRs do not have the power they claim, so you must be careful when looking into their power ratings. Look for receivers with preamplifier outputs so you can add external amplification later if necessary.