This is my Harman Kardon Citation system. After realizing that I could have better sound than my McIntosh System was providing, I started buying up and listening to a variety of gear. This realization came when I temporally set up my first receiver a Sansui 551, along with some EPI 100’s and my old Dual 1219 turntable while my wife and I were packing up boxes for a move. You can read the story in my McIntosh System post. Having not listened to the Sansui 551 in decades, I couldn’t get over what I was hearing from this entry level receiver. It was putting my Mac system to shame in all areas but power. Feeling I needed lot’s of power, I started listening to large power receivers which I will talk about at a later date. So this is actually my third system after I put the Mac gear away.
Back in the 70’s, Harman Kardon had been building quality gear for years, and the Citation line of equipment was as expensive as anything from McIntosh. Entirely hand built to the highest possible standards, using the highest quality components it was revered among audio enthusiasts. The Citation line dates back to the early 60’s and to this day their equipment is snapped up by audiophiles the world over.
Here I have a Citation 17 preamp and a Citation 16A amplifier. This was and extraordinary system, easily besting the Mac System in areas of depth, and soundstage. The 17 Preamp was exceptional, and the phone stage was stellar. I loved everything about Citation and felt that this was going to be my endgame system. Then an audio friend gave me a humble little Great American Sound Grandson Amplifier, which on a whim I tried with the Citation preamp. Yep, another story coming soon.
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