Good deal on HK 430

[MSkeezer]

About a week ago, I was in American TV, just looking around, seeing if they had any good deals during their 50% off markup sale. They had quite a few deals actually, but the one that caught my eye was the HK 430 display that was $399. I started talking to one of the salesguy's about it(this guy was very knowledgable, unlike the hacks at BB) and he offered their last new in box 430 for only $375. The only thing, though, was that he had to sell it as an open box item to sell at that price, and their open box policy is "sold as is". If something was wrong with it, I'd have to send it to HK, which suits me fine. I don't have a problem with that. The only thing I was worried about was wifey. I knew she'd be absolutely pissed if I brought this thing home, but, I bit my lip and bought it. She was a little upset, but she actually kept her cool and said it was ok. She also said to not plan on buying anything else for the next 6 months. And that I was only getting $10 a week for entertainment until then. I'd say those terms were pretty acceptable. I got a brand new $1,000 Harman Kardon AVR 430 for only $375. I don't think I did too bad...

[mhardy6647]

Oh, I thought you were talking about a real hk 430! ;-)

[Mike682]

Originally posted by MSkeezer
She also said to not plan on buying anything else for the next 6 months.

That's usually their first response after the initial "what did you buy?"

Damn nice pick-up though.....enjoy it

[Toxis]

good amp for the price. I wouldn't worry about not being able to return it. I sold a 430 on ebay about a year ago for $600 shipped and the guy fried it. Luckily he lived close so I took it and warrantied it for him. Took a while because HK was out of a certain part but still was fixed no problem. Just find a good repair shop that you trust. That is key.

[MSkeezer]

Oh, I thought you were talking about a real hk 430! ;-)

Tell me more about the REAL 430. She is a beauty.

[mhardy6647]

Originally posted by MSkeezer
Tell me more about the REAL 430. She is a beauty.

Yup, one of the best mid-power. mid-priced receivers of the 1970's. Rated 25 wpc RMS, but dual-mono power supplies gave the 430 quite a bit of oomph 'midst its peers.

A fellow called Mike Jarve has a website with info on the 430 and some other h/k equipment:
http://crystia.accessmn.com/hkbooks/430.html

To their credit, h/k still has the manual for the 430 and many of their legacy products (back to early mono tube models) at their website:
http://manuals.harman.com/HK/Owner%2...nual/430om.pdf

[marker]

I believe Woody Jacobs has one of these. Maybe he'll see this thread and chime in.

[woodyjacobs]

Thanks Mark, I actually have the 630 twin powered and I love it. Fantastic amp sections on the old twin powered HKs, IMO they sound better than the new HK stereo receivers...more headroom and just a tad more aggressive. I think the new HKs sound very good...better than most of their competition...but the high end sounds just a little too smooth (maybe sort of rolled-off) for my tastes. But my old (old model, not old to me as I bought it earlier this year at a yard sale for 10 bucks) twin powered just sounds right to me. I have it running my deck and kitchen speakers right now but I'm about to move it back to my home office/two channel rig so it will get more use.