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Crucial safety precautions including electric shock risks, not opening the unit, and avoiding moisture.
Instructions for safe AC power connection, cord handling, and optimal unit placement.
Guidance on packaging, unit placement, and connecting other audio components.
Instructions for choosing and connecting FM and AM antennas.
Instructions for AC power hookup, using convenience receptacles, and connecting speakers.
Instructions for configuring speaker impedance and selecting speaker systems.
Step-by-step guide for playing turntables, CD players, tape decks, and other components.
Instructions for tuning, selecting AM/FM, and using Seek-Stereo for radio reception.
Addresses common problems like no power, no sound, tuner interference, and phono input issues.
Crucial safety precautions including electric shock risks, not opening the unit, and avoiding moisture.
Instructions for safe AC power connection, cord handling, and optimal unit placement.
Guidance on packaging, unit placement, and connecting other audio components.
Instructions for choosing and connecting FM and AM antennas.
Instructions for AC power hookup, using convenience receptacles, and connecting speakers.
Instructions for configuring speaker impedance and selecting speaker systems.
Step-by-step guide for playing turntables, CD players, tape decks, and other components.
Instructions for tuning, selecting AM/FM, and using Seek-Stereo for radio reception.
Addresses common problems like no power, no sound, tuner interference, and phono input issues.
The Harman Kardon HK3500 is a stereo receiver designed to provide high-quality audio performance with a focus on musical accuracy and clarity. It integrates an amplifier and a tuner into a single unit, offering a comprehensive solution for a home audio system.
The HK3500 serves as the central hub for various audio components, allowing users to connect and manage different sound sources, amplify audio signals, and tune into radio broadcasts. Its amplifier section is engineered with a "High Instantaneous Current Capability," meaning it can rapidly deliver the necessary current to drive and control a wide range of loudspeakers, especially during musical transients. This design aims to reproduce dynamic musical passages with precision. The amplifier also features "Ultrawide Bandwidth" circuitry, which extends the frequency response beyond the audible spectrum while minimizing phase shift. This contributes to improved stereo imaging and clearer sound, allowing for accurate spatial positioning of vocals and instruments.
To maintain sound quality, the HK3500 incorporates "Low Negative Feedback" in its design. Unlike conventional amplifiers that heavily rely on negative feedback to reduce Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), the HK3500 keeps it low. This approach is intended to minimize Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM), which can manifest as a harsh or grating quality in complex musical sounds, particularly those from stringed instruments. The use of "Discrete Circuitry" further enhances performance by allowing for greater design flexibility and optimizing the performance of individual electronic components, rather than relying on off-the-shelf integrated circuits.
The receiver includes "Sophisticated Electronic Protection Circuitry" to safeguard the amplifier from potential damage caused by short-circuited or faulty speakers and wires. This protection system operates without compromising sound quality by avoiding current limiting or output relays. Additionally, the "Automatic Tuner Switching" feature automatically turns off the tuner circuitry when not in use. This eliminates potential electronic interference, ensuring that the amplifier circuitry operates at its optimal performance level.
The HK3500's tuner section allows for both FM and AM radio reception. It features a digital display that shows the tuned frequency, band (FM/AM), and indicators for stereo reception and tuning status. Users can manually tune to stations or use a "Seek-Stereo" function to automatically find strong stations. The receiver also offers preset buttons, enabling users to store and quickly recall up to 16 favorite stations (8 presets with A/B shift).
For source selection, the HK3500 provides multiple input jacks, including Phono (for turntables), CD, Aux, Video, Tape 1, and Tape 2. This allows for connection of various audio components such as CD players, cassette decks, VCRs, and other line-level sources. The Phono input is specifically designed for turntables with moving magnet cartridges, with a recommendation to use a step-up transformer for moving coil cartridges.
The receiver also includes a "Subwoofer Out" jack, which can be connected to a powered subwoofer or a power amplifier driving a subwoofer, providing a dedicated output for low-frequency effects. This output can also be used for surround-sound equipment or any external component requiring a line-level input.
The front panel of the HK3500 features a clear and intuitive layout for easy operation. A "Power" button controls the unit's on/off state. A "Speaker" selector knob allows users to choose between two sets of speakers (Speaker System 1 and Speaker System 2), both simultaneously, or neither (for headphone-only listening).
Audio adjustments include "Bass" and "Treble" knobs to increase or decrease low and high-frequency sound proportions, respectively. A "Balance" knob allows for adjusting the relative output level between the left and right speakers. The "Volume" knob controls the overall output level. A "Loudness" button is available to enhance sound quality at low listening volumes by boosting low frequencies, improving the perceived balance of low, mid, and high frequencies. A "Mono" button allows users to listen to any input source in monaural sound.
The tuner controls include "FM/AM" buttons for band selection and "Tuning" buttons (up/down arrows) for manual frequency adjustment. The "Seek-Stereo" button toggles between automatic seek tuning (in stereo) and manual tuning (in mono). "Preset" buttons (numbered 1-8) are used in conjunction with a "Shift A-B" button to access stored radio stations. A "Memory" button is used to store new preset stations.
For recording, the HK3500 offers "Record Selector" buttons for Tape 1 and Tape 2. Users can select the desired source to record from, allowing for simultaneous recording to both tape decks or dubbing between them. The receiver also supports listening to one source while recording from another.
The HK3500 comes with an independent remote control unit that mirrors most of the front panel functions, offering convenience for operation from a distance. The remote's power switch controls the receiver's standby mode, while the unit's main power switch controls full power on/off.
The owner's manual provides essential guidelines for maintaining the HK3500 and ensuring its longevity. It emphasizes the importance of proper placement, recommending a firm and level surface, away from moist or humid places, heating equipment, direct sunlight, air conditioner drafts, excessive vibration, dust, and poorly ventilated areas.
For cleaning, the manual advises using a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. If necessary, a soft cloth lightly dampened with mild soapy water can be used, followed by a dry cloth. It strictly warns against using benzine, thinner, alcohol, other volatile agents, or spraying insecticides near the unit, as these can damage the finish or internal components.
The manual also includes a "Troubleshooting" section to help users diagnose and resolve common operational issues, such as no lights, no sound, interference, or problems with station presets. It advises checking basic connections, speaker settings, volume levels, and antenna placement. For more complex issues or if water/objects enter the unit, users are instructed to unplug the power cord immediately and consult an authorized Harman Kardon service center, as attempting to service the unit internally can cause fire, shock, and void the warranty.
Regarding the remote control, the manual specifies that it operates effectively within a certain range and angle. It also provides instructions for battery replacement, recommending the use of two AA batteries and their removal if the remote will be unused for an extended period to prevent corrosion.
The packaging material should be saved for future shipping or repair needs. The unit's AC convenience receptacles have power limitations, and users are advised not to connect components requiring more than 180 watts. Proper speaker wiring, including maintaining correct polarity and using appropriate wire gauges for different lengths, is also highlighted as crucial for optimal performance and to prevent overheating. The speaker operating mode switch on the back of the receiver should be set correctly based on the impedance and number of connected speakers to prevent overheating.
General| Tuning range | FM, MW |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response | 20Hz to 20kHz |
| Input Sensitivity | 2.5mV (MM), 150mV (line) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 95dB (line) |
| Power Output | 50 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) |
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