Refurbished Harman Kardon A500

**Wardsweb** · 06-20-2010, 02:01 PM

Here is a HK A500 that I went through. Techically I only upgraded caps and replaced the volune control with an Alps. The rest of the time it was all about cleaning and polishing.

**Wardsweb** · 06-20-2010, 02:03 PM

Here is a before and after the cap upgrade.

**amirm** · 06-21-2010, 09:42 AM

Looking good! Are those paper caps that I see before the replacement?

**kach22i** · 06-21-2010, 10:48 AM

Pretty, and those caps do remind me of something.

Chiclets-Gum

**Fred** · 08-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Excellent job! A friend of mine recently refurbished an HK Citation II. It was in the most aweful shape before, but the after is just stunning. And the thing sound terrific. I'll bet yours has a very sweet sound as well.

**mep** · 08-01-2010, 10:26 AM

I used to have a version of that amp but I think mine used 6L6 output tubes. It is a nice sounding amp. I think I was 15 or 16 when I owned it. My old man always had a **** stereo, but I had the real deal in my bedroom as a kid.

By the way, great job on cleaning the HK up and installing the new caps. It really looks nice.

**DaveyF** · 08-01-2010, 10:38 PM

This was my first piece of high end audio. I had it modded so that there was a tap from the preamp section installed with RCA outputs. Ran the preamp section into a David Hafler DH 220 amp and then into Maggie's. Sounded pretty damn good.
Never figured out the blend function but seemed pretty cool at the time.

**Mr Rick** · 10-24-2011, 01:36 PM

Gees..... the face plate on your A500 looks like it had a lot of buffing and polish.What did you use? My old gal is also an A500, and she sure could use a polish.You did a great job!
Now whats your secret...

**Wardsweb** · 10-24-2011, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Rick

Gees..... the face plate on your A500 looks like it had a lot of buffing and polish.What did you use? My old gal is also an A500, and she sure could use a polish.You did a great job!
Now whats your secret...

Happich Simichrome polish

**Spencerlholbert** · 12-08-2011, 06:24 PM

I have a question about the 7355s. I just bought 4 NOS tubes from Brent Jessee and will receive them shortly. I understand that the tubes are cathode bias, which means that I do not have to adjust bias, correct? What is the "Channel A/B Balance" pot for? I have heard some people say that it is bias adjustment, others say that it is harmonic adjustment... I don't know, and I hesitate to mess with it before hearing a second opinion.