OFF THE MARKET--Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp

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G.Michael

OFF THE MARKET (so to speak) for now, for reasons explained below. 

Looking for a good home for this.  Mods consist mostly of many, many capacitor upgrades, as evident in the photos.  Sound quality is pretty good.  (I was using this in my second system, then replaced it with a tube pre.)   This Preamp has a good phono stage, and an equalizer that's surprisingly good.  There's a bit of static sound in some of the controls, but still works okay.  The balance control doesn't work, though.

Asking $75 plus shipping, obo, or interesting trades, especially SACDs, DVD-Audio, and tweaks.









See more photos in my gallery: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery
« Last Edit: 18 Sep 2008, 08:04 pm by G.Michael »

John Casler

Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #1 on: 17 Sep 2008, 06:57 am »
Looking for a good home for this.  Mods consist mostly of many, many capacitor upgrades, as evident in the photos.  Sound quality is pretty good.  (I was using this in my second system, then replaced it with a tube pre.)   This Preamp has a good phono stage, and an equalizer that's surprisingly good.  There's a bit of static sound in some of the controls, but still works okay.  The balance control doesn't work, though.

Asking $75 plus shipping, obo, or interesting trades, especially SACDs, DVD-Audio, and tweaks.









See more photos in my gallery: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery

Had one of those from 1975 until about a year ago and sold for $290.  So you are offering a great deal.  In its day it was one of the best preamps available.

That "crakling" you hear will probably disapear if you work the controls back and forth 30-50 times to clean the contacts.

Even the sliders on the equalizer need to be worked up and down 30-50 times and that crackling should disappear.

Good luck.

G.Michael

Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #2 on: 17 Sep 2008, 01:12 pm »
Thanks, John.  It is a nice preamp.  Would like to get it to someone who'll appreciate it... perhaps including the phono stage.

John Casler

Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #3 on: 17 Sep 2008, 02:31 pm »
Thanks, John.  It is a nice preamp.  Would like to get it to someone who'll appreciate it... perhaps including the phono stage.

I think the AudioKharma (sp) forum has a lot of "vintage" guys.  A search over there might give you some ideas.

Sold mine to a fellow in Canada who loves it.

This and the Citation 16, 16a, 19, and 19a were in the Lee Kuby era, and Lee was really into high quality performance.  I beleive there was a tuner also, but I can't remember the model #.

There is also a model without the EQ.  Might be the 17s or some such.

G.Michael

Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #4 on: 17 Sep 2008, 03:13 pm »
I also have the Citation Eighteen Tuner.  As you might assume, warm and analog sounding.  I've considered selling this, since I my FM reception is limited unless I put an antenna on the roof or in the attic, and even then I probably wouldn't listen to FM all that much.  But when I do..., well, it's a sweet sound.






doug s.

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Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #5 on: 18 Sep 2008, 04:41 pm »
I also have the Citation Eighteen Tuner.  As you might assume, warm and analog sounding.  I've considered selling this, since I my FM reception is limited unless I put an antenna on the roof or in the attic, and even then I probably wouldn't listen to FM all that much.  But when I do..., well, it's a sweet sound.
you should keep it, & get the antenna up.  i have one that's been refurb'd & modded, & it's up there w/the best - including my modded refurb'd sansui tu-x1 - seriously.  if you have a quality broadcast in your area that plays music you like, you will be floored by the sound of this tuna - even bone-stock.  it will rival your other playback sources for sound quality.

and, you are selling that preamp for way too little; put it on ebay, or  adwertize it on audiokarma, as was prewiously mentioned.  if i weren't presently strapped, i would buy it yust to re-sell...

doug s.

G.Michael

Re: Modded Harmon-Kardon Citation Seventeen Preamp
« Reply #6 on: 18 Sep 2008, 08:01 pm »
Advice taken!  Preamp is off the market.  Doug and John, Thanks.