HARMAN KARDON HK990

Pre owned. In excellent condition. Free from obvious signs of wear. Supplied with remote control, accessories, manual, and original packaging.

The Harman Kardon HK 990 is a two-channel integrated amplifier designed for the discerning listener, combining a solid analog tradition with advanced modern features. From the first encounter, it conveys a sense of exceptional build quality and robustness, thanks to its substantial weight and extremely solid construction. The design is elegant and understated, with a front panel visually divided into two sections by a thin dark line that houses discreet touch controls, highlighting a large alphanumeric display and a prominent illuminated volume knob. The overall appearance remains clean and orderly, while the most commonly used functions are conveniently managed via the multifunction remote control.

From a technical standpoint, the HK 990 is a high-end analog integrated amplifier with a very powerful and responsive output stage, capable of delivering high instantaneous currents and confidently driving demanding speakers. The analog section is meticulously engineered, offering top-tier performance that matches the quality of the finest sources. At the same time, the amplifier includes high-quality digital inputs capable of handling high-resolution signals, with transparent and accurate D/A conversion that makes it difficult to distinguish between direct analog paths and internally processed digital signals.

Connectivity is extensive and well organized, including balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, phono inputs for Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges, digital inputs, home theater bypass, and outputs for managing one or two subwoofers. A proprietary high-resolution connection allows direct linkage with compatible Harman Kardon CD players, synchronizing clocks to reduce jitter and ensure precise signal transmission. While Ethernet and USB are not included, the flexibility of the coaxial digital inputs allows the use of modern external sources without significant limitations.

One of the HK 990’s standout features is the integration of advanced functions rarely found in traditional two-channel integrated amplifiers. The bass management system and measurement-based room equalization allow the system’s performance to be effectively adapted to the listening environment and the speakers in use. Even when analog sources are redigitized to take advantage of these functions, the impact on sound is minimal and barely noticeable, maintaining naturalness, tonal coherence, and detail. Subwoofer integration is particularly effective, with deep bass extension perfectly blended into the overall sound, making the bass source virtually imperceptible.

Overall, the Harman Kardon HK 990 delivers on all the promises of a high-end integrated amplifier, offering a commanding power stage, reference-quality analog sound, and flawless digital source handling. The inclusion of modern features such as bass management and room equalization makes it not only capable of faithfully reproducing signals but also of actively improving the interaction between speakers and room, establishing it as a complete and refined solution for high-level stereo systems.

Technical specifications:

• Type: two-channel solid-state integrated amplifier with analog/digital inputs, tone controls, bass management, and system equalization
• Line-level analog inputs: 6 pairs unbalanced (RCA); 1 pair balanced (XLR); HT processor bypass (RCA); 2 subwoofer (RCA)
• Phono inputs: 1 Moving Magnet (MM); 1 Moving Coil (MC)
• Digital inputs: 2 optical; 2 coaxial; 1 HRS
• Line-level analog outputs: 2 L/R; 2 subwoofer
• Digital outputs: 2 coaxial
• Output power: 150 W per channel at 8 ohms (21.75 dBW); 300 W per channel at 4 ohms (21.75 dBW)
• Line-level input sensitivity: 350 mV; line input impedance: 43 kOhm
• Phono input sensitivity: 10 mV (MM); 1 mV (MC); phono input impedance: 47 kOhm (MM); 100 ohm (MC)
• Frequency response: 10 Hz–170 kHz (+0/–3 dB at 1 W); 20 Hz–100 kHz at half power
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 109 dB (line); 75 dB (MC), IHF-A (–3 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD), both channels driven: 0.03%, 20 Hz–20 kHz at 150 Wpc (8 ohms); 0.3%, 20 Hz–20 kHz at 300 Wpc (4 ohms)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 440 x 165 x 435 mm
• Weight: 19.6 kg