Harman Kardon 3490 stereo receiver discontinued?

[shadyJ]

The HK 3490 is being listed as discontinued at a bunch of major stores. At harman's website it is listed as "sold out". That is a shame unless they intend to replace it with a new, better model. That was a killer two channel receiver: beefy amp, digital inputs and outputs, pre-outs, and a cool looking volume knob.

 

[j_garcia]

It has been around for quite a few years, so I'd expect a new model soon.

 

[ichigo]

New box, less power for cost-cutting measures likely

 

[Steve81]

Looks like these are the replacements:
HK 3770 | Stereo receiver featuring 240 watts of amplification, analog and digital capacity and networked connectivity. | Harman Kardon US
HK 3700 | Stereo receiver featuring 170 watts of amplification, analog and digital capacity and networked connectivity. | Harman Kardon US

Both are 6kg, and no 4 ohm power rating is provided that I see. Good times.

 

[anamorphic96]

That's depressing. Had a feeling they might do this.

 

[shadyJ]

Looking at the specs, they seem to have lost the pre-outs. They have a subwoofer output but no bass management. The only improvement that I can see is another digital in and a USB and blu tooth input for streaming stuff and apple and iOS compatibility blah blah blah. Looks great if you want your receiver to be connected to your computer, but otherwise a downgrade. Hopefully Onkyo or Marantz or Yamaha come out with a solid affordable two channel receiver that can take the 3490's place.

 

[slipperybidness]

Dang, the 3490 is going for $240 at Amazon right now!
Amazon.com: Harman Kardon HK 3390 80W Stereo Receiver: Electronics

 

[ichigo]

Dang, the 3490 is going for $240 at Amazon right now!
Amazon.com: Harman Kardon HK 3390 80W Stereo Receiver: Electronics

You mean the 3390?

 

[slipperybidness]

You mean the 3390?

Dang, my mistake. I searched the 3490 and it brought up the 3390

However, the 3390 is now down to $220

 

[M Code]

Looking at the specs, they seem to have lost the pre-outs. They have a subwoofer output but no bass management. The only improvement that I can see is another digital in and a USB and blu tooth input for streaming stuff and apple and iOS compatibility blah blah blah. Looks great if you want your receiver to be connected to your computer, but otherwise a downgrade. Hopefully Onkyo or Marantz or Yamaha come out with a solid affordable two channel receiver that can take the 3490's place.

They lost the pre-outs and main-ins..
Those are crucial audio component feature which provide great flexibility..
Another example, of weak product planning done from China rather than the market/customer side.....

Just my $0.05...

 

[shadyJ]

How many more AVRs and receivers like this before Harman Kardon becomes the next kenwood?

 

[slipperybidness]

How many more AVRs and receivers like this before Harman Kardon becomes the next kenwood?

What exactly do you mean by this?

I like Kenwood for my car audio gear. But, Kenwood was out of the American HT game before I really started getting into HT.