Harman Kardon TA5000X (1967–1968)
The Harman Kardon TA5000X was the company's top-of-the-line solid-state receiver when it was introduced in the late 1960s. Sources differ on whether that was 1967 or 1968. It sat above the earlier TA5000, which used germanium transistors. The X version used silicon throughout, a real step up in reliability and thermal stability at the time.
The TA5000X was an all-silicon solid-state design with capacitor-coupled outputs. Every owner and restorer agrees on that output stage, and it's also the model's biggest maintenance issue. The output coupling capacitors dry out with age, and replacing them is widely described as the single most important repair these units need. Period forum discussions also note that original parts are scarce, particularly those unusual coupling caps.
Performance figures vary by source. The most commonly cited figure is 50 watts per channel RMS. Some databases list 55 watts and some owners claim 65. Given the disagreement, treat the power output as "approximately 50 watts per channel." The higher figure may reflect a different measurement standard. The tuner section was a point of pride. A period ad promoted the Award Series' "distortion-free, wide-band response and sensitivity" (High Fidelity, January 1962, p.13), and owners of the TA5000X echo that decades later, with one forum user reporting it "pulls in stations I can't get on other receivers." The ad also touted the model's 50-watt stereo amplifier and its combination with the famed Award Series tuners. The FM section covers 88-108 MHz with 1.8 µV sensitivity. AM covers 530-1600 kHz. Frequency response is listed at 5 Hz to 60 kHz with 0.5% THD and a damping factor of 50.
Owners describe the sound as warm and rich, particularly good with jazz and vocals, with excellent imaging. The phono stage draws specific praise. Criticisms are few but consistent. The tone controls have limited range, the FM tuning knob stiffens with age, and the 65-watt figure is optimistic, since units run hot if pushed hard. The front panel is brushed aluminum with push-button function switches and a mechanical tuning knob.
No original price, dimensions, or weight have surfaced in the available documentation. Working units change hands in the $200 - $500 range depending on condition.
Known Specifications
- Type: Solid-state AM/FM tuner-amplifier (receiver)
- Power output: ~50W per channel RMS (some sources cite 55W or 65W)
- Frequency response: 5 Hz–60 kHz
- THD: 0.5%
- Damping factor: 50
- FM sensitivity: 1.8 µV
- FM range: 88–108 MHz; AM range: 530–1600 kHz
- Output stage: Capacitor-coupled, all-silicon solid-state
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