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Issue Nineteen: July 2007
Harman Kardon PM665VXi Integrated Amplifier
By Mark Marcantonio publisher<at>affordableaudio<dot>org
Specifications Stereo Mode: Continuous Average Power (FTC) per Channel : 150 wpc @ < 0.08% THD into 8 ohms 150 wpc@ < 0.1% THD into 4 ohms High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC) : +/-80A Power Bandwidth: HALF POWER - < 10Hz to 100kHz @ 8 ohms Frequency Response : 0.2Hz to 150kHz (at 1Watt output, +0, -3dB) Damping Factor: 65dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio : PHONOmm - 80dB PHONO MC - 76dB VIDEO & CD - 98dB MAIN-IN - 110dB Input Level/Impedance: PHONOmm - 2.2mV/47k ohms, 125-425pF PHONO MC - 120uV/56ohms VIDEO & CD - 135mV/22k ohms MAIN-IN - 0.8V/22k ohms Phono Overload: MM - 220mV, MC - 12mV Tone Control BASS: BASS TURNOVER - 200Hz/400Hz Tone Control TREBLE: TREBLE TURNOVER - 2kHz/6kHz Filter: SUBSONIC - 15Hz, 6dB/octave HIGHCUT - 6Hz, 6dB/octave Loudness Control: +10dB @ 50Hz Phase Shift: <5 degrees (300 - 20kHz)
Ive always been a bit partial to Harman/Kardon products. My very first decent piece of audio was their wellregarded HK680i receiver that I bought from all my Christmas earnings from working at LaBelles Catalogue Showroom. I remember reading over the brochure so many times that I had to tape the center crease to keep the thing together. That receiver survived many dorm stereo wars, winning all but one in beer infused voice votes. A little over a year ago I was looking for a vintage high-power integrated on a generic beer budget. Surfing thru eBay I spotted a black HK PM665VXi that was on auction with a midweek/midday ending time that coincided with a day off from work. I watch the auction and made a last second bid and thankfully won the amp. Appearance The PM665VXi is a part of the early-mid 1980s design style that I consider very elegant, especially when matched against the disastarously ugly gold junk of Pioneer at the time. Although I prefer HKs champagne finish for its more subtle look, the blank still comes across rather stately. The controls are all logically placed across the front panel in gold lettering that was just big enough for my bifocaled eyes to spot. One of my favorite touches of this series was the record out switch in college I used it quite often. The limited budget audiophiles of the day appreciated the choice of either MM or MC phono inputs.

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Interior Lifting the hood of the PM665VXi, one sees the continued influence of the monster receiver wars of the 1970s. At the time HK bragged about its avoidance of using chips, instead they continued using discreet components i.e. capacitors and such. This choice has allowed HK components and others of this design belief to still power up every day decades later. The massive heat sinks keep the unit running impressively cool even when I drove the unit at ridiculous levels. Listening Upon receiving the PM665VXi, I went about cleaning all the switches and pots. Like all the higher power H/K amps of the time, they have a non-standard speaker input post, so beware when using banana plugs, they will get ruined by being forced into place. At 150wpc, the PM665VXi sound very typical of the big receivers mentioned above, with a hint of warmness. Its like sitting at a stoplight next an old muscle car, one knows what they are in for as long as that brute is near. The noise floor in comparison to the Jolida 1501A I have on hand isnt even close. A definitive hiss can be heard, plus a graininess in the upper frequencies. However, the transient response of mid and low bass is outstanding. There is a definite transfer of power, just as H/K claimed due to the ultra high bandwidth and high instantaneous current capabilities. This integrated performed best with large scale rock music, songs with many instruments. Bruce Springsteens triple cd compilation set has several tracks that define the Boss desire for multiple harmonies played with a liveliness that I had not heard in quite a few years. John Mellencamps The Lonesome Jubilee contains wonderful thrusting moments that allowed the PM665VXi to truly strut. On the other hand, I found the acoustical work of James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg somewhat dry. The warmth and lower noise floor of the Jolida gave off a much more natural and intimate performance. It is important to keep in mind that the Jolida 1501A is a hybrid integrated, containing two tubes in the preamp stage. Conclusion If youre searching for a quality, old school integrated with a nice phono stage, for at most $250 on the used market, the Harman/Kardon PM665VXi is a fine investment. It plays classic rock with authority and has the internal design to handle many more years of usage, just make sure to use bare speaker wires on the posts.