If you are looking to run a stereo receiver with clean good sounding power at a very reasonable price point, the Harman Kardon 3490 is the route you want to take.
I'm pushing several speakers (4 pair) and sound coming from this receiver is incredible, night and day compared to the quality I had prior. 120w per channel is a force to be reckoned with.
The receiver is good looking, minimal fluff and a great core control set such as BASS, TREBLE and BALANCE. Also it boasts Quality inputs like optical and coaxial.
If you are an iPOD owner, you will be happy to have complete control and charging with the "not included" Bridge II Docking Station.
The remote is second rate, but I use programmable URC remotes, so I'm not going to write a lot about the remote except to say that it's only useful if you have LOTS of HK equipment.
If you're looking for HDMI, you're looking in the wrong place as the 3490 is more for your music than your video.
Back to the music, if I had to use one word to describe the music, it would be BRIGHT... I think I would slip in the work CLEAR also. I have read that some feel the bass could be a little deeper, I think it's a division issue, if you use a sub with your setup, you are able to create the most pure thick sounding bass and allow your speakers to do their job of providing highs and mids.
Bottom line, I will not need to brag about this receiver to my friends, they will hear the quality and pure sound this receiver provides and the proof will be in the pudding.
