The Harman Kardon HD 970 represnets an impressive value for the money. The sound is very good and in particular the soundstage and the micro-resolution. Also very interesting is its capability to act as a DAC for external sources. I compared the its DAC section with a Benchmark DAC1 (a dedicated DAC considerably more expensive than the HD-970) and although the sound is slightly different I am not really sur it is in Benchmark's favour. Since the HD-970 has a fairly good DAC section I am using also the HD-970 as a high-resolution DAC for files streamed from my computer.
Congratulations to Harman Kardon for such a well balanced design.

I`ve owned a HD970 cd-player for about three years now, but can`t say I`m quite satisfied. Have already repaired it once: the manufacturer had to change the electronic inside. But some time after service it still struggles to read cd`s, and sometimes it makes disturbing noises.

The sound quality is relatively good though, and the unit is well equipped, but the design and build quality is so poor, with cheap plastic all around, and to me it looks more like a 60 $ dvd-player sold from a grocery store, than a real hi-fi component. All in all I think the HD970 cd-player is an average cd-player even in the lower class. From this player I miss the heavy feeling of quality that the older Harman products had. Even my old HK DVD10 seems to be better built, and is actually close also when it comes to sound quality. Now I have changed to a Primare cd21 player, which is in a totally different league (of course).

Similar products used: Harman Kardon DVD10, JVC cd-player(older type), Primare CD21, Yamaha MDX-793, Sony SCD-640 QS

It fails to read some of my CD.s particularly ECM label. It is becoming a pattern to which I am clueless. ECM records have a very high quality.

Excellent reproductionn quality.

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Yamaha

build; style (generally); precise sound with a good timing and large soundstage; coaxial output; advanced technologies for its class

discants sometimes too soft or withdrawn (however, it doesn't matter to me, I like it); perhaps not for everyone's taste and system

In my opinion HD970’s elegant and delicate style (some plastic elements, slightly ugly pilot and so on did not change my impression) refers to its character when it starts playing the music. This CD player tries to be believeable, precise and non-intrusive source of sound with many details and large/ deep sounstage. I listened to different records, from classical (piano, old music ens., chorus, orchestra) to pop/jazz/blues/rock (Suzanne Vega, Diana Krall, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Queen, Genesis) and I have found much more pros than cons. The sound may be (like of my former player, MF CDT) not very warm, so its musicality could be a matter of taste, but I got quickly involved into musical action and nothing had disturbed in it!Vocals were realistic but not rough, arrangements never „pressed” and the clarity of soud terrific. In my audio system (Musical Fidelity A1 amplifier, van den Hul CS 122 speaker cables, B&W CDM loudspeakers on solid stands) I had sopranos and basses good enough, while the middle frequenties made leading voices present. My first thought was that 970’s advanced technologies really works and its fine performance of music is stunning for the price! It has been really a hi-fi player, worth of listening to and its little lacks (if you find you disilike something) could be easily bettered by using the right system as well as making a room adaptation for your acooustic's improvement.

Exceptional sound stage. Your speakers just disappear.
Digital-in comes really handy if you want to use the DAC separately. I have my PC connected to it.

Ugly finish. It looks like a home theater component rather than a hifi or audiophile device.
The front is in plastic, absorbing all the dust in the room.
The device doesn't like some of my CDs, and doesn't read them correctly (principally Samsung CD-Rs and CD-RWs).
Too much emphasis on high-range details, to the point that it takes the attention away from the music. The sound doesn't seem to be very linear (but I prefer it to NAD's dull sound).

This device plays Audio CDs, HDCDs and MP3s with an extraordinary quality. It has a extraordinary sound stage and reproduces the hi-range details significantly clearer and cleaner than any other cd-player I've ever used (mostly entry-level hifi products from Denon, NAD and Marantz), while staying at the same price range. When I stay at the center point between my Cresta 2 speakers, the sound system just disappears, and I feel the depth of sound stage this device is able to create. I am rediscovering all my old CDs, while waiting for a set of new RCA cables to see if I can solve the problem of too much treble. But anyway, the sound is lovely and well beyond the price you pay for it.

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Sound quality,stunning looks and the build quality is amazing for the money

The remote is a bit ugly

I have just upgraded from a Marantz CD5000 to the HD970 and i can't believe what a difference its made, for £250 its a real bargain.My amp is the Marantz4001.
Before i was very dissatisfied with the sound,too tinny and lacking clarity, there wasn't enough power to get the best out of my AE505 floorstanders and they were easily distorted, but now there's a real weight behind the music and alot more detail and clarity.I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an absolute bargain,a fantastic sound and it looks stunning.

Customer Service

Not necessary

Similar Products Used:

HD970 AMP and TUNER ordered

The sound!

There is no entrance for a headphone

I have always thought that the sound was made by the speakers. I used a simple Philips cd-player. But now I now better. The HD 970 is a very fine machine. The sound has improved dramatically!. For its money this is a very good buy.

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philips

it's the best for the price class; detail is NOTHING if you never heared it. SACD can wait, and I will continue to listen more and more of my favourite music on simple (and economic) CD support.

little weight, plastic-look style, but sounds great!

What do you need for the best-in-class cd player? - a precise mechanic drive - jitter-free and fast D/A conversion - very good & clean pwr supply - class A discrete output stage, with hi-speed op-amp - Oversampling & Upsampling for better analog output WELL: the HD970 includes ALL these features, plus more: - ext digital input connection - light-off display - MP3 & HDCD reproduction - LOW COST, compared to similar entry - cd players (two channels are better than seven, if you really play them better). I purchased the HD970 for incredible soundstage, high definition trebles, clearwarer mid w/male & female voices,tight bass and pleasant detail.

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NAD; Techics