Harman Kardon PT2300 Tuner/Preamplifier Review

The Harman Kardon PT2300 tuner/preamplifier, as its name implies, combines a versatile stereo preamplifier and an AM/FM tuner in a single compact unit. Although it has both audio and video inputs and outputs, for a TV, VCR, and videodisc player as well as the usual audio sources, it is not an A/V component in the usual sense, since it lacks the surround-sound circuits found in most audio/video home theater components.

In its size and styling, the PT2300 resembles a typical stereo receiver, although it is considerably lighter than most receivers. Its front panel, refreshingly free of the multitude of cryptically marked buttons typical of recent receivers, has normal-size knobs for the bass and treble tone controls, the balance control, and the output selector for the two pairs of line-level outputs on its rear apron, which can be activated individually or simultaneously or shut off completely. Also on the front panel are a larger volume-control knob, a small subwoofer level-control knob, and a stereo headphone jack.

The upper portion of the panel contains a display window, which shows only the operating status of the tuner section. Large square buttons on either side of the display are used to select from sixteen station presets (in two groups of eight) as well as mono or stereo mode, AM or FM band, automatic stereo or manual mono tuning, and loudness compensation. Two parallel rows of buttons across the bottom of the panel enable independent selection of the program source being heard and the source fed to the recording-output jacks on the back panel.

The PT2300’s rear apron contains the jacks for all the audio inputs and outputs, plus those for the video sources and a video output to the monitor. A pair of jacks carries line-level outputs for right- and left-channel subwoofers, and there are miniature phone jacks for linking the PT2300 to other compatible Harman Kardon components for integrated remote-control operation. There are binding-post terminals for an AM loop antenna and a 300-ohm FM antenna as well as an F-type coaxial connector for a 75-ohm FM antenna. Two of the three AC outlets are switched.

The PT2300 comes with a remote control that duplicates nearly all its front-panel functions except the main power switch. But if the front-panel power switch is left on, the PT2300 can be switched on and off from the remote control, which can also operate the basic functions of many Harman Kardon tuners, CD players, and cassette decks.

The FM tuner section had good mono and very good stereo sensitivity. Distortion readings were not particularly low, however, except at the standard rating level of 65 dBf, where the stereo distortion fell below 0.1 percent (mono readings were comparable at levels greater than 65 dBf). FM channel separation was 40 dB or better across the full audio range. Capture ratio, though not quite as good as the specified 1.5 dB, was certainly adequate for most locations. AM rejection and image rejection, on the other hand, as well as selectivity, were appreciably better than rated and quite impressive. The AM frequency response was somewhat wider than average, with slightly better high-frequency response than most AM tuners and an unusual rising output at the lowest audio frequencies.

The preamplifier’s frequency response with tone controls centered was very flat over the audio range and down only 3 dB at 150 kHz. Tone-control characteristics were good, with the treble variation limited to frequencies above 2 kHz and the bass to frequencies under 250 Hz. The loudness compensation affected only frequencies below 500 Hz, with a maximum boost of 10 dB at low and moderate volume settings.

The RIAA phono EQ was also exceptionally accurate, and the phono-overload margin was excellent over most of the audio range, with a reduced limit at the highest frequencies that was still quite satisfactory. Phono-input impedance was nearly ideal.

We used the PT2300 in a system with a high-quality stereo power amplifier, and the results were just as good as its bench performance would lead one to expect. The tuner/preamp format, which for some reason has never enjoyed the acceptance it deserves, is ideal for anyone who would like the convenience of a receiver combined with true high-power capability. Although there are some receivers with 100-watt-per-channel amplifiers (or even bigger ones), they tend to be rather large and heavy, as well as posing heat-dissipation problems in a limited-space installation. Separating the power amplifier from the rest of the "receiver” provides the best of both worlds, especially if the amplifier (like the one we used when listening to the PT2300) turns on automatically when a signal is applied. Unfortunately, the PT2300’s pair of switched outlets are rated for a total of only 180 watts, a bit skimpy for a powerful amplifier.

Overall, the PT2300 acquitted itself admirably in all phases of our testing. The design concept is a good one, and Harman Kardon has executed it very effectively.

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