Recent Find

[Big Jim]

Hi folks been laying kinda low lately. ..recently stumbled across an old Harman Kardan Citation V Power amp. A nice old fellow gave it to me. It utilizes two pairs of 7581power tubes. I've only been building amps a short while so I've never seen one of these before. The unit has a bad can cap according to the gent. It appears to have two OTs that are very large. I also have the assembly manual as well. It was obviously a kit affair. My question is, what should I do with it. Fix it? Make a couple of scratch builds? Suggestions?

[pops]

I would fix it first if it is only caps. If you don't like it you can always build something, if you like it better yet.

[Big Jim]

Thanks for the reply Pops....I agree with your suggestion, and that will probably be my first move. I am however a guitar player, and I know I'll never use the amp as it was intended to be used...I look at it and see two builds waiting to be started. On the other hand, it seems a sin to mutilate a piece of vintage gear complete with the beautiful build guide and all. They really put out a nice kit back then. The nice thing is it has what appears to be the original glass in it. However the story ends, it sure was nice of the old fellow (96 yrs old) to give it to me. Cool old dude for sure!

[passfan]

An old Harmon Cardon is going to fetch a pretty penny on ebay. Build your guitar amp from the funds derived from the sale.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-C ... 2348a1ae8d

This one doesnt even work

[Big Jim]

I saw that on Ebay as well. The voice of reason. Makes sense. I'll recap the thing and move it. Not as much fun, but makes more sense.

[Jana]

If you really wanted to do something cool, clean it up and get it back into running order.

Then hang on to it.

When the time comes that the old guy who gave it to you moves on to the next dimension, give it to one of the family members who can really appreciate it.

[Phil_S]

+1 on eBay value. Recently sold range from about $600 to $1200. If you can fix it up, working well, looking nice, you'll be at the upper range. This item is clearly not for scavenging parts.

These are sought after amps. If someone gave it to me, I'd fix it and keep it for myself. You are very fortunate to receive such a gift, and an appropriate thank you to the gent who gifted it is in order, IMO.

This isn't a Macintosh, but maybe next best.

Info here...BTW, this is a reliable and honest tube seller. http://www.mcshanedesign.net/
http://www.mcshanedesign.net/adjust5.htm full voltage chart included.

[Teleguy61]

Ditto above two.
That is a beautiful piece of audio equipment.

[Structo]

[img:900:675]http://images.audioasylum.com/usr/y2013 ... it_v_3.jpg[/img]

These were made when Harman Kardon produced quality gear.

The newer stuff, not so much.

[dorrisant]

Those bottles look so cool! You might want to try to spin some vinyl with it when it is recapped... But then you might be tempted to keep it.

Tony

[gui_tarzan]

I'd freshen it up and use it as a stereo amp. A friend gave me some really nice speakers and after fixing a Pioneer amp for a customer and playing it through these, I want a tube stereo amp for myself.

[Big Jim]

I appreciate all the suggestions and I will consider them all. I wont be butchering this fine piece of gear. The more I think about it, it would be cool to have a tube powered stereo system. I don't have to rush into anything, so I'll start with sprucing the old girl up. Thanks folks
Jim

[gui_tarzan]

I'm saving up the money to get a pair of SE transformers so I can build a stereo amp. I'm a musician (read starving artist with a day job) and I appreciate quality audio but I've never even heard a tube stereo before the one I repaired. The difference is night and day, I was stunned. My audiophile son even wants me to build him one after hearing this Pioneer.

You'll thank yourself for doing so but make sure you pair it with quality hifi speakers, guitar speakers aren't the same animal.

[TUBEDUDE]

I have a highly modded ST-70 as my stereo amp. It has 4 nice Mullard xf2 EL34's in it and the original 470 output transformers. Every now and again I'm tempted to make 2 50 watt guitar amps out of them. I have to listen to a few choice Lp's until the urge dissipates.

[vibratoking]

That is a lovely gift. I'd fix it and sell it as already proposed. I take it you guys haven't read Doug Self's "Audio Power Amplifier Design"?

Full of technical information regarding power amps and reality. I know this is the TUBE Amp Garage and all, but... I highly recommend it.