HK 690 (serv.man4) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual

Integrated Amplifier

OWNER’S MANUAL

ENGLISH

1

Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

Rear Panel Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

Controls and Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4

Indicators and Remote Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

Operating Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

Congratulations on your choice of the
Harman/Kardon HK650 or HK690
Integrated Amplifier.

In order to obtain the best performance
from this integrated amplifier, please be
sure to read this owner's manual and use
your integrated amplifier only in
accordance with its instructions.

The special features of this unit include:

HCC (High Instantaneous Current
Capability)
The amplifier sections react rapidly to
musical transients, providing the
instantaneous current necessary to
precisely drive and control nearly any
loudspeaker system.

Ultrawide Bandwidth
The bandwidth of this unit is
exceptionally wide and is independent of
negative feedback. This improves
transient accuracy and phase linearity.

Low Negative Feedback
This unit has been designed to have low

distortion and wide bandwidth without
high negative feedback. This further
improves its dynamic accuracy.

Discrete Component Circuitry
In order to achieve the above goals, all
discrete electronic circuitry has been
employed. No available integrated
circuits could provide this high level of
performance.

Sophisticated Electronic 
Protection Circuitry
Harman/Kardon's unique protection
circuitry guards the amplifier from short
circuit or damaged speakers and wires,
without impairing sound quality by the
use of current limiting or output relays.

Always Use at 230V AC
This unit is designed for operation with
230V AC. Use only domestic AC outlets.
Connecting the unit to an outlet
supplying a higher voltage may create a
fire hazard.

Handle the Power Cord Gently
Do not disconnect the plug from the AC
outlet by pulling the cord; always pull the
plug itself. Pulling the cord may damage
it. If you do not intend to use your unit for
any considerable length of time,
disconnect the plug from the AC outlet.
Do not place furniture or other heavy
objects on the cord, and try to avoid
dropping heavy objects upon it. Also do
not make a knot in the power cord. Not
only may the cord be damaged, it can
also cause a short circuit with a
consequent fire hazard.

Place of installation
Place the unit on a firm and level surface.
Avoid installing your unit under the
following conditions:

■ Moist or humid places.

■ Places exposed to direct sunlight or

close to heating equipment.

■ Extremely cold locations.

■ Places subject to excessive

vibration or dust.

■ Poorly ventilated places.

Do not obstruct the ventilation slots on
the top surface of the unit by placing
objects over them.
Otherwise, the temperature inside the
unit may rise, possibly affecting its long-
term reliability.

Moving the Unit
Before moving the unit, be sure to pull
out the power cord from the AC outlet
and disconnect the interconnection
cords with other units.

Do Not Open the Cabinet
To prevent shock hazard, do not tamper
with internal components for inspection
or maintenance. Harman/Kardon does
not guarantee against performance
degradation resulting from any
modification. If water, a hairpin or wire
accidentally enters the unit, immediately
pull the plug from the AC outlet to
prevent shock and consult an authorized
Harman/Kardon service station. If you
use the unit under this condition, it may
cause a fire shock hazard.

Cleaning
If the unit gets dirty, wipe it with a soft
dry cloth. If necessary, wipe it with a soft
cloth dampened with mild soapy water
and then with a dry cloth. Never use
benzene, thinner, alcohol or other volatile
agents, and avoid spraying an
insecticide near the unit.

Abnormal Smells
If you detect an abnormal smell or
smoke, immediately turn the amplifier off
and unplug the power cord. Contact
your dealer or nearest Harman/Kardon
service center.

Packaging
Save all packing material. It is essential
for shipping, should you move, or in the
event the unit ever needs repair.

■

■

■

■

Date of purchase

Purchased from

Address of business purchased from

Installed by

Date Installed

Serial No.

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ENGLISH

1. Make sure your amplifier and other

components are turned off.

2. Connect each component's Output

jacks to the corresponding Input jacks
on the back of your amplifier. Use the
white, black or gray plugs to connect
Left channel jacks; use the red plugs
for Right jacks.

To control your amplifier with an external
infrared remote sensor, connect the wire
from the remote sensor to the REMOTE
IN jack on the back panel. Or, if another
stereo component has a built-in infrared
remote sensor and a Remote Output
jack, it may be possible to connect this
jack to the REMOTE IN jack of your
amplifier. All Harman/Kardon products
with »Remote In« and »Remote Out«
jacks are compatible with one another,
except for the Citation 22, 24 and 25.
Other manufacturers' remote sensors
and components may not be compatible,
but it will not hurt to experiment.
A second wire may be used to connect
your amplifier's REMOTE OUT jack to
the Remote Input of another stereo
component. Continue this process to
include additional components (if
compatible).

1. For best performance, use high quality

speaker cables. However, ordinary
copper wire can be used if the gauge
meets the following requirements:

Up to 2.5 meter

1 mm

Up to 4 meter

1.25 mm

Up to 6 meter

1.6 mm

Above 6 meter

2-2.5 mm

2. Avoid coiling excess wire with or near

line level hook-up cords.

IMPORTANT: When connecting two pairs
of speakers, determine the impedance of
each pair by looking on the back of the
speakers, in your owner's manual, or by
contacting your dealer or manufacturer.
Then refer to the following chart to see if
both sets may be played simultaneously.

8

Ω

/8

Ω

YES

8

Ω

/6

Ω

NO

8

Ω

/4

Ω

NO

6

Ω

/6

Ω

NO

6

Ω

/4

Ω

NO

4

Ω

/4

Ω

NO

WARNING: Do not play sets of speakers
simultaneously except as recommended
above. Amplifier may overheat.

Plug the cord into a wall socket 
(AC 230V)

NOTE: Power does turn unit off
completely.

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ENGLISH