Price Paid:  $300.00 from SoundWaves/Ocean St

Summary:
As a small manufacturer of vacuum tube power amps, I was looking for a decent preamp for my marketers to use until I develop a tube line amp I'm happy with. I dusted my old 825 off (which I've had since 1988) I was reacquainted with the neutral transparent sound that got me into tube amps in the first place.The phono preamp reproduces an accurate square wave down to 20 Hz and up to beyond 20K with 300mV of headroom (set bass @ 11:30 and treble @ 1:30). I immediately went out and bought two more.

Strengths:
Exemplary phono stage. Straight wire with gain.

Weaknesses:
They're 15 years old, and getting a little cranky.

Price Paid:  $126.00 from eBay

Summary:
I read the other reviews on here and agree with most..I am pretty prejudiced against solid state, as i much prefer the tube sound, but i've found that good solid state stuff can sound very good driving a good tube amp...and this Preamp is a bright shining star for a hundred, 25 bucks! I am driving a Music Reference RM-9 with it and its doing an outstanding job.. very fast, good detail, good clarity, good depth, and imaging.. Quite a sweet rich sound... and with the RM-9, the sound is quite good and quite "tubey". i would not say it is as good as the top end Rotel preamp, but then it costs about 10X less, and the difference is definitely not remarkable,.. i suspect some users of the hk 825 may have gotten a hold of one that wasn't in top notch operating condition and did not have a very positive experience , but i have to say for the money it is awesome..

Strengths:
solid build, solid sound, solid performer, price is right

Weaknesses:
solid state

Similar Products Used:
Rotel 995

Price Paid:  $250.00 from King's Audio, Springfield IL

Summary:
Hey, if you want good, clean, solid sound, but don't have the money for "audiophile" equipment, purchase the HK 825 and perhaps the matching 870 power amp and just listen to the music. I would think (subjectively) that the 825 would sound as good under most conditions as very good (expensive)audiophile preamps and sound much better than the new $2000
multi channel amps and receivers. I purchased an HK825/870 combo in 1987 and sold them a few years latter to some "music loving" friends who still own them and use them everyday. I still enjoy listening to music played through them. Four star sound, 5+ star value.

Strengths:
Solid build quality, tone control defeats, good solid (state) sound, phono section, very low used prices today.

Weaknesses:
Perhaps it can be a little sharp in the upper register when
played at high volume.

Similar Products Used:
HK Citation Eleven, Dynaco Pas 4, Lazarus Classic, McIntosh MX110, Audible Illusions 2D, Anthem Pre 1, and others.

Price Paid:  $150.00

Summary:
Any piece of equipment, no matter how expensive or "high end" has been executed for a best match involving all the elements in the chain from connectors and cables to the main components from "front to back". That has been my approach and learning for over more than 15 years and the approach of professional reviewrs. The fact that Bill has a "Counterpoint pre-amp that went to have service" doe not entitles him for such a harsh judgement without showing us how was "his" evaluation process. I seriously disagree with Bill's judgment. After my evaluation I can conclude that the HK 825 is a good product and gives good performance when compared with equipment of more recent execution.
Harman Kardon should be commended in their consistency in producing good sounding equipment for over 50 years.
Those who want to consider the hk 825 should evaluate it in a context of optimized system integration.

Strengths:
Well designed tone controls with by-pass. Discrete components. Selectors work at sources. Well constructed. Good match with solid state amps and low input imp. Alps volume pot. Very dinamic and quite musical.

Weaknesses:
Possibly components not state of the art. Not straigth line design.

Similar Products Used:
Dynaco Pas 4, Adcom GFP-565, Lynn Pre LK, Harman Kardon AVR 5 (pre section)

Summary:
Just in case you browse past the other review, and stumble across this supposed "classic", a warning! I never thought I would hear of this thing again but way back in 1987 or 88 when my Counterpoint 5.1 had to go back for service, again,
my dealer lent me the 825, half as a joke. It was a P.O.S!
This other reviewer must have served in the Artillery as a loader, or something. It's a boat anchor. You have been warned! You have to give at least 1 star when you submit and it did function so, okay.

Strengths:
none

Weaknesses:
too numerous