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Over the years I've had a range of separates, receivers, and receivers using external amps (from Sony, Onkyo, Harman Kardon, Carver, Levinson). And while I love my Onkyo receiver, it's a very clean/accurate/faithful reproduction for film and music, I knew I had to push my Infinity Crescendo Towers (they can be bi-amped or bi-wired) to get more out of them. My goal is to recreate that sensation at a concert....where the bass punches you in the chest...and if you close your eyes, you can hear the stage...and where everyone is. And while I have a series of subwoofers that kicks my butt in movies, I wanted my front L/R speakers in stereo only mode to give me this same sensation.... I used to use a Signature 2.0 preamp with a Carver 5 channel THX external amp for my prologic setup. I couldn't afford the Signature 2.1 5 channel amp at the time, and Carver was going through some bankruptcy issues, so I picked up their amp instead of the HK Signature 2.1. That setup lasted me about 8 years. But as Bluray moved us to 7.1 sound, HDMI and component connections grew, I knew I wanted to do more than the Signature 2.0 preamp could deliver. I scuttled the separates and went with an Onkyo 8 series receiver. 1080 upscaling, etc. I had HK receivers in the past, but I wasn't a fan of their new designs and moving away from solid state amplification. And while the Onkyo is an awesome workhorse, I wanted to breathe a little life into my system. I've always been a fan of that Signature 2.1 amp and the Mark Levinson designed "grandfathers" of those amps (the Citation 7.1 and the Citation 5.1 are beasts with very similar upbringings). So, I used the Citation 7.1, biamped my fronts and I was happy. But I still needed to drive my center and surrounds. Hence the opp to find and use the Signature 2.1...which is a similar sounding, high current (remember it's all about the amps, not the watts...it's why they are called amplifiers), fanless design to compliment my fronts. This solution, is impressive to look at (blue LED in the front of a brushed black grille). Massive heatsinks. These "baby Levinsons" retailed for much much more new and a current Mark Levinson would cost you a pretty penny. But these Signature 2.1 or the 2 channel 1.5, are very comparable to the 4/3/2 channel Citations. And the only solution for a 5 channel configuration by Harman Kardon, back when they used to focus more on sound and less on being a video switcher. These amps are a steal, built like tanks, with a "bright' sound. Especially when paired with speakers from the same family (JBL and Infinity are all part of their group).Read full review
What can I say, this thing has got muscle to spare. It punches out 150 Watts of clean, underrated power to every channel regardless of how many channels are being driven. It makes a bit of heat so give it some room or airflow to breathe. If there was a negative to be found, it's that when it turns on it takes such a punch from the outlet, that it will trip most any home theater surge protector. A dedicated theater circuit to the fuse box would be ideal.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love it. I'm into Harman Kardon and this is a excellent amplifier. I want the best Harman Kardon has to offer & this is one of there best. I also have another 2.1 signature series ampamp and just brought the Harman Kardon Avr 7750HD to go with them.
I have two of these now and they are definitely a steal at 500 or less. Very nice sound and plenty of power - seem reliable too. My first has been in service for nearly ten years. Hope the new acquisition serves me as well.
Great vintage amp! coupled with an additional 2 channel amp and a sub gives your great 7.1 sound.
Verified purchase: No