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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
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.
automojo
10 posts
 
I agree. H/K runs a wide open format-direct coupled.
Most H/K amps are rock solid reliable, but with age, one needs to consider them to need a full check out service. Redo all the heat stressed solder connections, re heat sink the outputs etc, as they run higher bias/current them a lot of amps, and with this comes heat, and stress.
Once this is done, you should be good for many years.
tots
26 posts
 
Since I still have one, and it still works, I'll just add this for completion.
http://www.highfidelityreview.com/inside-out-harman-kardon-citation-16-amplifier.html

The only amp I have that sounds better is the all class A all the time Kinergetics KBA-75

harleyusa4ever's avatar
harleyusa4ever
1 posts
 

Hi, just want to chime in....my brother and I have been H/K fans since 1977, ever since my old warehouse manager turned me on to them. It was a 402A intergraded amp. My brother still has his. I have the trilogy set-up, 16A, 17 pre and a 18 tuner. The amp and pre were completely gone through by a gentleman named Patrick K. from, I believe Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have pics of the 17 being worked on but not the others. And yes heat sink paste redone as well. On paper they are great but listening to them is absolutely the cat's meow BTW I upgraded the tuner myself with a kit I purchased. I"ve owned other high end equipment, VTL amps, Meadowlark Hot Rod Herons, etc. I don't know if Patrick is still living as he had much health issues. I'm running Focal speakers now and this set-up is nothing less than awesome. Thanks for reading.

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