Harman Kardon HK-990 Stereo Integrated Amplifier

With 150W of RMS power, there's no doubt that the Harman Kardon HK-990 amplifier is a powerhouse. However, it also has a sophisticated and abundant feature list that helped it win the, "Best European Amplifier of 2009-2010" from the European Imaging and Sound Association. A high-current capability provides the HK-990 with the means to handle instantaneous current, which is paramount for driving difficult loudspeaker loads with minimal effort. Ultrawide-bandwidth performance facilitates greater high-frequency headroom and more accurate frequency response; establishing superior phase linearity and low distortion. With the HK-990 you'll hear your music exactly as the artist intended. 

This amp makes available six analog and four digital inputs to provide maximum compatibility with a variety of sources. It has balanced XLR inputs which reduce unwanted noise from EMI. The digital audio inputs include both optical and coaxial to suit the needs of each individual, while the phono inputs support both MM and MC cartridges. To smooth out the bottom end, the HK-990 has dual subwoofer outputs that afford a warmer and less intrusive bass sound.

Setting up the HK-990 for optimum performance with your speaker system can be done manually or with the EzSet/EQ. The included microphone detects audible frequency sweeps and the HK-990 uses that information to set correction curves and create the ideal crossover frequencies. For convenience, built-in flash memory will store these settings even if the amp's AC power cord gets disconnected.

Because all of the HK-990's digital/analog input signals are available for recording in both digital/analog forms, the variety of recording you can do is wide-open. You can copy your vinyl collection onto a digital recorder, CD or tape. You can also connect a CD player to the HK-990 with a digital cable and its signal will be available from the analog recording outputs as well as the digital recording outputs. It's even possible to record onto a digital and analog source at the same time. If you connect a Harman Kardon CD player to the amplifier, the HRS Link locks it to the amplifier's external clock, ensuring jitter-free playback and recording.

Similar to the role of the HRS Link in CD playback, Real-Time Linear Smoothing minimizes interference in digital-to-analog conversion. The HK-990 prevents excess disturbances by using two high-grade stereo analog devices that push the conversion performance beyond typical standards. Pulse synchronization will adjust any unevenness in the conversion process, keeping unwanted noise in non-audible frequency ranges.

With the ability to do simple pure amplification or accommodate a myriad of features into the relay, the HK-990 will appeal to a wide audience. Its physical aesthetic is striking and Harman Kardon succeeded at including features that work in concert with one another. For instance, the inclusion of an additional subwoofer output makes more sense when you consider that the EzSet/EQ will digitally filter the output signal and direct all that heart-pounding low-end through both subwoofer outputs. The HK-990 pairs greater power with greater control and the result is an audiophile's dream.