2. amps-preamps
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harman kardon citation 16 amp?????

How do some of you older audiophiles like this amp? Is it a good amp for driving psb gold speaker? I have a tube preamp and i am not sure how it will perform with it. I can pick it up for around 300 bucks, is this a decent deal or too much for this vintage amp? Sorry so many questions i just am on the fence about purchasing it. Is there any way to check it out with a volt meter before buying it. I am no electrician at all but with some guidance i may be able to check it out further. Its a all black face and doesnt have the v pattern lights like most ive seen. ANy way to tell what the amp is? Just says citation sixteen on the front with 2 leds and a toggle switch. thanx for the info, much appreciated
flyin2jz
noisehead
3 posts
 
I just purchased a Citation 16 amp in excellent working order, the second owner said he has not had it serviced at all for all the years he had it, so it must be very reliable. I plan on servicing it though, checking the specs and probably replacing some common parts due to the age. Any amp as old as this one, from 76 or 77, will need checked over at least, by a good tech. This was a good design, which many still value today. However, for daily duty, i use newer amps in my system, because i dont want to destroy the value of a vintage amp and chance that something happens to it from my carelessness.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
Make sure they clean and repack the output devices. Heat sink paste tends to dry out and crumble and no longer acts as a good thermal conductor.
tots
26 posts
 
I know this is old, but in response to the Normansizemore 2-16-11 post, I agree. I have a McIntosh MC-250 amp and C-27 pre-amp. I also have a Harmon-Kardon Citation 16AS and 17S amp and pre-amp. I never would have thought the recently swapped in H-K would sound better, but it does. I am using ADS L810 speakers which are pretty efficient, so the 50 wpc of the MC-250 versus the 150 wpc of the 16AS shouldn't be a case of too wimpy an amp for the purpose. Plus I play classical and 60s LPs at reasonable volume and the listening area isn't too far at all. The H-K sounds more musical, and I really do hear some soft percussion not heard before.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
I'm guessing the McIntosh uses a transformer coupled output. The H/K does not. You may notice the H/K also has better transient response, as well as better air because of better high frequency response and power bandwidth. H/K's have always had a wide frequency response and I believe they are direct coupled or nearly so. The H/K is also capable of more current delivery, and therefore, better bottom end performance.
automojo
10 posts
 
Mcintosh are well built, but personally I would take most H/K Citation amps over any Mac equipment, as mentioned they just plain sound better.
Add the PA2400, and Signature 1.5 to that list as well.
Mcintosh is more of a status symbol IMHO-good sound, but H/K amps clearly best them in sound- as those coupling transformers, IMHO kill sound-yuk!
My two best audio buddies, certified Mac freaks, both agree my H/K amps have a one up on them-it pretty easy to hear. Especially through a revealing speakers, such as AMT3's and the like.
Wide band width, high slew rates, and fast transient response make a difference. H/K amps in part where the reason test data looks at square wave response.
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