clean, fast, linear and most importantly, musical amp

Uhmmmm... needs fast speakers

I am an Audio designer (MKPArchitecture.com). I have designed systems ranging in the $250,000 to a few thousand. I have a client that has $50,000 two channel system. I recently changed to SLS S8R speakers (pro Monitor mix speakers) with ribbon HF. I now realize how good my old HK 655 is. It rivals and in some ways beats out his high end tube system with avalon speakers. I boght the amp because of its phase linear design. It turns out it is a clean, fast, linear and most importantly, musical amp. Can't beleive that after all of these years and systems this has been right under my nose. It just needed speakers fast enough to show it off. I can't wait to reconnect my turntable. It even has a phono input stage for MC cartridges, including a cap trim adjustment.

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ATI,Hafler, Crown, Ashley, QSC, Multiple tube systems, can't remember them all

button on front panel connects/disconnects power amp from preamp plenty of clean power attractive looks (in black) great deals can be found on used units well built

back panel jacks are not gold plated, but that's no big deal.

I can't believe AR has only three HK integrated amps listed for review. The HK PM series of integrated amps deserves to have mention here, they are built like tanks and sound incredible. Several models have a button on the front panel that disconnects the preamp from the main amp, eliminating the use of U-links. This can be of great benefit when connecting an HT receiver. The unit can be used as an integrated amp on it's own, or as a separate amp for an HT receiver at a push of a button. This review is for the PM665vxi and the PM655vxi models. Both units sound incredible as an integrated or separate amp, the 665 has 100wpc and separate transformers for both channels. Both units appear often for auction on ebay, check them out, they are well worth what most are asking for them. They are well built, extremely solid, and the sound is warm yet detailed. They can easily power difficult loads. I bought a NAD C320BEE because I had heard and read good things about them, but returned it because it could not match the PM655 or 665. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

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NAD C320BEE

great details, power and dynamics; awesome bass

not very clear treble, noisy with phono input (MC), space/reverb tend to disappear

This amp is very fun and engaging. A lot of details and dynamics, the bass is awsome! (Even with small speakers!) The top end could be clearer though and reverb and space around the instruments/voice tend to disappear. It is also somewhat "picky" with the source. All in all a good, powerfull allrounder.

7 imputs mean i can fit all my stuff to this amp.light on the volume controle.I love the looks.Loud and punchy.

remote controle feels cheap and tacky compared with cheaper sony gear.

seems to be geting better as it gets older.I leave it switched on all the time now and it seems to make a big differenc to the details.A lot of midrange and not too much mid bass suits me and the music i listen to, mostly metal and classical. it always gives me a great sence of power with controle.its great with rage against the machine or vivaldi.
my problem is what cd player to get to partner it.at the moment i have it rigged up to my sony discman but it still makes that sound awesome.
overall it feels and sounds like quality piece of equipment that i enjoy more each time i use it.ive had no problems and if you are the type of person that likes to have the option of lots of imputs and lots of power in reserve its a great buy.

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Technics SU 1000 pre power combination.

I'm sorry. When reading back my review I saw a mistake: The way I stated it bass would be excessive. This is wrong. People said to me that bass of HK amps would be excessive. However, my findings with respect to bass are that it isn't "overdone". Not at all. It's well balanced and sounds beautifully.

Very Powerful, nicely 'rounded-off', smooth sound

This is an Amp for the HK enthusiast: no complaints therefor

This Amp has balls. Throws 80 Amperes through your speakers if necessary. Since I own a pair of JBL Ti 250 Jubilees, I wanted an amp with over-capacity. In my opinion it's reasonably neutral (unlike HK cd-players: see my review of the HD 740). Furher, it's rather detailed, but has a smooth and round sound. Power is available for every listener (It delivers about 125 Watts per channel to my 6 Ohm (nominal) JBL's. Unlike what many others have told me, it's too much bass-oriented. Mid and High frequencies are there as well. For the money (I paid about $650), it's a cracker.
It's well equiped with cd, tuner, tape 1 (monitor), tape 2, Phono (grounded), vcr 1 and 2, and some more connectors (gold-plated) I am forgetting right now. I only use the cd connectors. You can add two sets of speakers to it, and it has intelligent remote-control communication with other HK products.
At the front of the amp there are simply source-buttons, a large volume-knob, bass/treble/balance knobs, as well as a source direct knob. Further speaker A and B knobs and a headphone socket.
I think this one is underestimated (at least in Holland, England and Germany). And if you'd like to add other amps...it's also suited for that with pre-amp outputs.

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Marantz PM-75, HK AVR 41, Philips FR 980

Sounds and looks great. Out off competition in price/value.

Cheap remote control.

Sounds and looks great. Very detailed and yet with lots off all frequent capability (especially in low frequencies - my subwoofer trembles).

I couldn’t find any competitor in this price range (even if I bought this hight quality amp unbelievable cheap).

I listen to different kind of music. From Bach to Beck. Together with my HK CD player HD-760 (with HDCD-capacity) Mark Knopfler never sounded better… He moves out off my speakers into my living room.

HK-690 is an integrated amplifier witch I recommend for everyone with serious music interest. No extra knobs, a source selector and a direct out function helps you concentrate on the actually impossible mission to stay in your seat when Marc strikes your ears…

Yeahhhh!

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HK-6500 (have had this amp for the last 12 years! – very satisfied)

Just bought the hk690 amp along with a hd720 cd-player, using Cerwin Vega At-100 speakers. I'm very pleased with the sound and guessing that this amp with a capacity of 80 amps to back up the bass blows away any Onkyo or Denon with the same power ratings. Anybody with experience on this amp? Would be nice to hear other opinions, this model not available in the US but still available in Europe.

Appearance, dynamics. It's always cool to have a really, really powerful amp.

Remote control looks like something you'd get with an amp costing something like $50.

I love this amp. It produces a sound that is dynamic and clear. It's got a capability which is enormous. Also, I love the design.

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None.

power

none

This is the greatest and most stable amp i`ve ever heard.
A safe choise for the normal enthusiast that wants that little extra

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marantz pm 7000,nad 319,nad 218,sony 50es,kenwood7090