Harman Kardon PM650 high current amplifier

The Harman / Kardon amplifier PM650 of 1982 was one of a three-part series of integrated amps designed by Harman in the USA and produced in Japan. The specs rate it at 50W per channel, so the amp offered greater power and more facilities than the basic 35W PM640 model in the lineup, while for those wanting a little extra, the range-topping PM660 offered 80W per channel and a few more knobs and buttons to fiddle with. Tested by Hi-Fi magazines back in the day, it appeared the specs card was on the shy side, as it was measured at 75 watts under 8 ohms and even 113 watts with 4 ohms speakers.

This amplifier can be summarized as "a big amp with a big sound". While being disciplined at lower levels, when the volume goes into the "play it loud" direction, the signature is still steady and present. The concept of "high current", the oversized transformer and the circuit design can cope with power hungry, difficult, low output speakers.

The power delivery does not make this amplifier just a brute. Plenty of entries and signal routes are available, the tonal controls can be bypassed, and the turntable input is switchable between MM and MC cartridges. This facility was particularly well engineered, with separate input sockets for the two different types of cartridge and variable capacitance loading for the MM input. 

May you be keen on loud rock music, or want the real feeling of power from symphonic pieces, from vinyl or modern digital sources, this amplifier will not disappoint you. 

Finished in silver.