Vacuum Tube Preamp Repair, Harman Kardon Citation 1
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2024
- Another journey through a classic piece of audio gear. Join Paul as he explains this fantastic preamplifier in great detail. To join my ongoing electronics course, or quietly support this channel, click here: / mrcarlsonslab
Here is the link to the Capacitor Foil Side Map: / harman-kardon-14404130 
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To join my ongoing electronics course, or quietly support this channel, click here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab
Here is the Capacitor foil side map for the Harman Kardon Citation 1, click here: www.patreon.com/posts/harman-kardon-14404130
Mr Carlson's Lab I may have missed it in the video, but what year was this amp built?
They were circa 1959-1963 as I recall, but don't quote me.
Tom, I think you are right on. The Citation II definately came out in '59 so given the Citation I was it's companion piece that would make sense.
What Level of electronics do you need to take your course? I am a hobbyist. I buy things from ebay and put them together would this be over my head? If so do you have any recommendation on books or courses to get to that level? thanks in advance!
Oh it's really relaxed, and a different way of learning. You can participate in some of the builds, or just sit back and watch. There is a mixture of both solid state and vacuum tube tech to learn from. These are all videos, like here, but more in-depth (teaching wise)
I know nothing about electronics. I'm actually a commercial artist by trade. However, I watch everything Mr. Carlson posts even though most of it is far beyond my realm of knowledge. Mr. Carlson is not only a true master of his craft, but is an incredible teacher as well. He could talk about mowing his lawn and it would be intriguing. I actually find myself learning little bits and pieces without even consciously trying.
Thank you for what you do, and for sharing your incredible knowledge and knack for teaching!
Keep watching Shawn. Paul has an immense amount of knowledge for someone his age and truly is a gifted teacher. It's easy to see he has a great passion for what he does.
That goes for me too.
I’m the same, the extent of my electrical prowess goes as far as changing a fuse, wiring a plug and replacing a vacuum tube but if find this wonderful and fascinating to watch and I learn so much which is good as I love to learn about new things far beyond my comfort level.
I do art I'm not allowed to draw in public my stuff makes people feel weird.
I'm a trained electronics technician and at one time I was a tech at Heathkit but Mr Carlson knows more than I ever knew. Quite a good teacher too. And all for free here on RUclips . Thanks Mr Carlson.
Class is something some people have and some people will never have. This is a classy u tube experience. Thank you Mr. Carlson for sharing your class and your talents.
You are very welcome. Thanks for your kind comment Jim!
Back in the 60's, we'd buy our hi-fi gear from Mom and Pop shops or small chain stores, and most had their own service and repair depots in the back. When you bought some new audio gear, the dealer would typically put their sticker on the side of the unit, to encourage you to get your service done at their shop.
Not sure if you know, Jim Macshane. I bought his kits for My Citation 1 and 2. My dad built in 1963 w the RCA club. I have someone up grading to Jim's Kits. The Tech doing the system was completely surprise over his parts and the upgrade. There is nothing on the planet like these pre-amp and amp. I also have JBL Harkness C-40(15"). My Dad(passed on years ago) also has the AR-XA w/Shure. Having the near best all my life, its hard to impress me today but with advancements with vintage equipment I am highly impressed. Kenrick Audio has horns that blow me away. I purchased the chrome hosing for my restoration for the pre amp. I have all the building construction books. Also have the Citation A & B w/books my Uncle(passed on years ago) built back then. The first Solid State system. I am glad I have them today. Great Job on repair. That pre-amp is in awesome condition
You are the only person I get genuinely excited to watch new videos. Thank you for the content and knowledge.
Thanks Chris!
I learn so much from your videos. As an added bonus, your voice has a calming quality, so if I am feeling stressed, one of your videos not only educates me, but also helps me relax. You're the best!
Brilliant. So thorough, so well explained, so educational. I've learned so much. Thank you Mr Carlson.
As an electronic engineer myself, I'm happy I found this great channel. Cheers
This has got to be the cleanest preamp I have seen on RUclips. This really makes it easier to repair this old bird of music prowlice. Keep up the great work Paul. Love your channel too.
I am very impressed, more than 50 years and still in almost pristine condition. Many thanks for showing us your work!.
You're welcome!
Thank you for being such a great teacher! I know absolutely NOTHING about electronics but your explanations while still being "techie", novices like me can follow you and have some understanding of what you are doing! Makes electronics even more fascinating! Well done! I subscribed to your channel because electronics fascinates me!!
I'm also not an electronics wiz.. But love vintage audio gear. Thanks Paul, this kind of video really helps me communicate with my audio tech when I need to get stuff serviced.
Never understand why there is any negative feedback. Well done. Another great show. Look forward to the next one.
Thanks for showing us how it is done Paul. Nice restoration!
Thanks Buddy!
Paul, you did a wonderful job. excellent. I like that everything is still looking original.
Thanks Max!
I have such limited knowledge of electronics, but I have a vintage tube stereo system and I so wish I had even a fraction of Mr Carlson's immense knowledge on the subject. I can watch these entire videos and get some sort of understanding of what's going on. Truly fascinating. He has a true talent for making a complex subject understandable.
Thank you so much Mr. Carlson, for all your wonderful videos and thanks for all the time you spend helping everyone understand these concepts. I enjoy your videos so much and get a lot out of every one. All the training I had thirty-years ago is slowly seeping back into my brain and it's really because of you and your great teaching technique. You are an asset to RUclips. :-)
Thank You Buddy for your kind words, It's comments like this that make this channel worth the effort.
@Buddy Martin I agree with you , I had a stroke 11 years ago , and forgot a few things , but they are coming back slowly and surely watching Paul's videos and a few other channels that he promotes through shout outs for their channels ...... If Paul recommends a channel , that means it's a great channel to watch....
Excellent thorough job.This guy knows his stuff.
I had a Harman Kardon A50K 50 watt integrated stereo tube amp in the early 60's. Loved it. I'm loving your videos on both audio & musical instrument gear since I'm an audio engineer and a musician
I had an A50K. Loved mine
I don't understand much, but I still watch for hours!
Sustained excellence, as always. Thank you very much for making this!
Very nice video. Thanks for pointing out the requirement for changing the RF surpressor capacitors on the power input. Old capacitors are a substantial shock and fire hazard. Especially, if it is gear operated on 240 Volts, like in Europe.
I'm amazed at the internal looks of this preamp, considering that it is (at least) 56 years old. I could not believe when you read 1964 and I had to rewind the video a couple times to make sure I was hearing it right. Then I could not believe the front face and the tubes cans are so bright and shiny as they tend to yellow with age, even for much newer equipment.
Then it comes to my mind... boy, I was 4 years old when this thing was "serviced".
Yes, another grabbing video to be enjoyed by all "electronics technicians by heart". ... I miss the old times since long ago.. I've been a software test engineer for the past 25 years but the old electronics person never died.
I love your lab... you are one of the very few people that has more test gear surrounding them at work station than me. Growing up in Tek back yard, I am died in the wool Tek junkie. Nice old HK... a true survivor.
Thanks for your comment Jennifer!
Thanks Paul! This is a great looking unit and as you said. incredibly clean.
That is a beautifully designed case, a great electronic design, and of course amazing restoration work! I want one of these now even though I have no use for one as of now!
Paul... your technical skill never ceases to amaze me but this particular restoration is a work of functional art.
Thanks Michael!
I’ve seen you discuss outside foil before but never understand why, I was one of those guy that would have said it doesn’t matter. This was great demonstration of why it does matter.
Nice job of electronic forensics. Good to use all of your senses when investigating problems.
I love your voice, even your Canadian pronunciation of “out” an “House”. Sometimes I put on your videos just for background sound when I work on long complicated projects.
Thank you so much!
I'm glad you're enjoying the content Robert!
Excellent video! I lived a few blocks from Harman Kardon in the 60's and 70's when they were made in Plainview, Long Island, NY. A couple of friends were technicians there.
this is a kind of "philosophy of classic electronics".... and I think this is right way to treat special things..... with mildens and deep understanding......
I really like Mr. Carlson's video. The preamp is truly beautiful inside and outside.
another great video Paul... much appreciated... the capacitor polarization is something that I learned from one of your earlier vids along with lots of other useful stuff on repair and restoration. This is definitely my favourite RUclips channel...
Thanks David!
Thank You from Phase III Lab's. in Chicago. This was my first PreAmp Kits I build along with the Citation 2 Power Amp. with KT88 Gold Lion Output Tubes in 1962. These were my first love and they are still working, I'm going to rebuild these units, However I use McIntosh Equ. now.
Thanks for your comment Albert!
@@MrCarlsonsLab I'm not sure you, Paul, realized when you began this Harmon-Kardon pre-amp restoration, that they were sold as kits as well as factory-assembled units. If the Citation 1 you restored in your video was assembled from a kit by its buyer, its owner did a VERY nice job. Harmon-Kardon supplied beautiful instructions with their kits, and the quality of the parts was tops. So glad you came across this one to restore. As always, your videos are a delight in every sense of the word - beautiful camera work, very clear information well-spoken, and your manner is gentle and respectful, and not in the least bit condescending. Your really want to share your knowledge with your audience. These qualities matter a lot, and it's no wonder to me that you have such a devoted following. I, personally, have learned a great deal from you, and I have been able to make good use of your information in my own restorations.
Very nice repair. I learned a lot, thanks Mr. Carlson for putting your work in making this and all your vids.
A very nice sympathetic restoration. Thanks Paul.
I'm definitely looking forward to that video about safety capacitors.
As an Audiophile i congratulate you for repairing this beauty! A very fine piece indeed, those preamplifiers sound fantastic,
All Harman Kardon hi-fi equipment sounds great, H K is hight end audiophile equipment ! I've never had the chance to listen one of them 😢.
In awe of your forensic electronics skills. I miss the smell of my childhood amplifier (Scott Kit, built by my Dad in 62) I can almost smell it warming up while watching some of your videos.
Very valuable information delivered in a very digestible form!
!! I remember Audotronic! They used to have a location on Main St in Flushing Queens in the 70's and 80's. Great people.
Great job picking up the errors of the capacitor factory install. Interesting of the capacitor on the power supply. I will be looking for the separate video for the safety fix. You do a great job explaining the history, details of all the components. Neat and clean, pride in your craft. Something that is lacking in todays world
fantastic and fascinating insight to electronics explained in a superb way, by far the most informative and educational channel on this subject...
Wow Mr Carlson, you're the best!! Thank you.
Awesome video and beautiful work! Thank you for all you do.
You're Welcome!
Yet another excellent, extremely informative video. Thank you!
Fascinating piece of audio gear!
It's awesome to see how much care and love for their products Hi-Fi brands did put in the past.
Sadly, nothing to do with nowadays use-and-dispossal generalized attitude (even in the High End territory!).
Thanks for your voice, so calmy, clear and relaxing.
See my note above (done 12-31-19) on this piece of gear and the early hi fi scene. Enjoy, and Happy New Year !
The Citation I came in kit or wired form when new. Since this unit has the RCA jacks, power supply capacitors, and other items mounted with discrete screws and nuts, I believe that this is a unit built from a kit. My Citation I, which was factory wired, has rivets securing the RCA jacks, tube sockets, and power supply electrolytics. I also remember this from servicing these units in the 1961-1964 time period. I bought my Citation I in 1962.
Yes, it's definitely the kit version. This would explain the backward caps, and perhaps the 1964 service, also. (It probably didn't work when he finished building it.) I built the companion Citation III-X Tuner in 1964 from a kit; at the time it was considered the most complicated electronic component kit being sold. BTW, the tube shields were aluminum. These have clearly been buffed or replaced. The chassis is way cleaner than when it was new, so has also been extensively worked on. It looks like the potted power transformer has been repainted, also. In general, if I were buying one of these, I would opt for a factory-wired version.
Regarding the comparisons with the Marantz 7C, the Citation preamp in its wired version was more expensive than the Marantz. They also differ wildly in design. The Citation was ultra-wide band and had state-of-the art circuitry. The Marantz was narrow-band (20-20K Hz only), and had totally conventional circuit design.
When I was a kid, I was working on a solid-state preamp, and one of the things the guy I got it from said was wrong was that the balance didn't work right. After about two days of trying to find the problem, I finally realized that the control had been replaced with a log-taper pot! There was effectively much more resistance on one side, than the other, and the rate of change was different as well, leading to interesting behavior (almost impossible to center well). Anyway, just thought I'd share that amusing anecdote. Love your videos by the way.
Mr Carlson: Fantastic!! Thank you very much.
Thanks so much for this video! I have one of these that needs to be gone through, so this is perfect, though your example is in much better condition. Who ever built this pre-amp did a pretty good job (remember, these where kits when new). I also have the matching Citation II power amp and Citation III tuner.
Thanks for taking the time to write Waltkat.
sir, your narration of the repair is so professional and very informative. Your knowledge in electronics is profound. thank you
Also his work ethic and how clean he is approaching the repair process. Block diagrams, Data sheets, diagnostic manuals - he references and does it by the book! Compare that to the so called repair technicians in India!! I have seen nightmares, and nowadays avoid giving my costly equipment even to company repair shops. They are horror stories!
Once again i just enjoy watching and try to learn a bit!
I know where that repair place was! It was outside of Elmont, down the street from the White Castle, which i think is still there. Audtronic had a good reputation for repairing anything electronic. They were a bit pricey even back in the day. Stuff like that makes me feel old.
I wish we had a reputable audio repair man in our area i could trust like Mr C.
Im confused why there is thumbs down this is superb video work and very educational every video is of the highest quality in image and information i think some people are jealous.good work mr carlson!
Thanks Kevin!
RUclips has no maturity nor intelligence requirements. Anyone, anywhere, can comment or rate.
I think they are audiophiles that were expecting Mr Carlson to insert capacitors the size of 2 liter bottles.
I hate seeing 👎🏻 on excellent programming... Shame upon those who do such things.
Those were left by Yorx mini stereo owners.
possibly the best most conscientious restorer on ya'll tube. good job mr carlson.
Thanks Paublus!
masterful work as usual Mr Carlson
Wow! Audotronic is still around! They've moved about 15 miles away from the location on the sticker, but still in NYC!
Mr Carlson, you're the Bob Ross of analog electronics. I could watch your channel all day, and I'm not even a hardware guy (I work at a test and measurement company, but solely in software...)
Thanks Damaniel3
Bob "Let's get a little wild now…" Ross (RIP). Sounds so unlike my friend Mr. Carlson.
@@MrCarlsonsLab i'm a painter myself , and feel this comment is an insult to you..........
The way those horizontal tube shields are mounted above the jacks In back is interesting, very industrial look. I haven't seen that before, very cool! Thanks for another great video!
Glad you enjoyed Daniel!
Great job as usual, learned more. Thank you Paul
Great video, Paul. Thanks.
Beside the incredible knowledge..you are a great story teller SIR...thank you so much
I have never seen tube shields that looked so shiny and clean.
What a stellar looking preamp
I enjoy watching your videos Mr Carson keep up the good work
Thank you so much Paul !! I gain more knowledge through your experience.
You're Welcome! Glad you enjoyed.
Absolutely fantastic video. Your presentation is top-notch!
Thanks Charles!
Nice restoration to a true classic.
I'm really nice ,,,,,,,,, I learn something new with every one of you vids GREAT JOB!!! And what a lucky find you had with this one!!!!
Dr. Carlson does it once again. Great video 📹 👍
Thank for new post Paul......one step at a time.....
Thanks Rick, you're a gentleman!
I have no idea why, but I enjoy watching your repair work. Might I suggest a little more history on, why the unit came to you, and the type of work the client requested. Thanks again sir for sharing.
Hi Paul. About the dragging the fingertips across the faceplate. A friend of mine had a old fisher receiver. Those have stacked volume and balance control in one knob. What happened was they had dragged the balance control all the way to the right when turning down the volume. Henceforth they thought that the Left channel was dead... All I did was turn the control behind the volume knob the the center position... They were flabbergasted that I solved the problem just by looking at the unit... I scored some major brownie points that day! It was my girlfriends dad. After that I could do no wrong :)
My restored Citation was literally in the mail to me when I stumbled onto this video. It does NOT have the line cord safety cap mod, so I'l be looking forward towards your future video.
That is one well cared for amplifier i am amazed like you that it was so clean and i bet it would sound amazing with the right speakers and a good final amplifier.
What I especial like about your work, is that you don't "just" repair it, but you make it look like no one have touched it, like it easy could have looked original! :-)
Harman Kardon makes and made some real quality gear. This one was definitely worth saving!
Your the best Mr carlson...love your videos and your amazing ability and knowledge thank you for your shared greatness
I appreciate that Jeff!
Wow, another outstanding video. Well done and thank you.
Thanks Crist!
Like your channel. Easy listening, the Bob Ross of electronics.
Truly enjoyable to watch. Thank you.
Mr Carlsson your vacuum tube preamp Harman kardon citation 1 it is so awesome
Thanks for this. I actually have one of these pre-amps; it has been in use for about 40 years (with tube replacements). Looks like I should probably get it really cleaned up. :)
Greg Argendeli hopefully the capacitors aren’t all backwards!
Another fascinating video. I find myself eagerly awaiting each new release.
It's a pity that we didn't see you soldering one of the new caps into the pre-amp since you went to some lengths to explain the need to avoid lead stress.
Good work . . . as always. Glad you are back in stride amigo!!
Thank You sir!
There is nothing better than vacuum tube audio equipment.
Thank you for yet another comprehensive look inside older electronic equipment.
thanks again mr.carlson my hero
TU as always. must've belong to somebody like me. my vintage 80's equipment's look as new as the day i bought them. not a single scratch or even a finger print. they have survived 12 major moves across country and still flawless.
The HK Citation 1 was a landmark in early-60's hi fi. I think it was designed by Stew Hegeman. It was sort of a poorer man's Marantz Model 7, considered by most of the day as the absolute top dog. The Citation 2 was its matching power amp; again, quite well-thought of. Both were universally praised as exceptional by both camps: Julian Hirsch (Hirsch-Houck Labs, writer for "Stereo Review") of the objectivist school (it can only sound good if it MEASURES well on the bench) and the newly-emerging subjectivists, (your own EARS can be the best guide) led by J. Gordon Holt ("Stereophile") and later, Harry Pearson of "The Absolute Sound.") Back then, it was possible to be a full-featured preamp (LOTS of knobs!) and still qualify for great sound. Later, at least for the "golden ear" crowd, LESS (input jacks, switches, tone controls, number of preamp stages, amount of feedback -- in essence, less COMPLEXITY) was deemed "better" as there was less between the source and the speaker to potentially muddy things up.
BEAUTIFUL JOB AND EXPLANATION!!!
Nice preamp. Well explained servicing tips.
I love the tips and technique that you present, it's very helpful, thank you'
You bet Mr. Orange!
Comprehensive as always!
your audio is impossibly noise free, props on the good audio work. although considering the retro electronics nature of it I feel it would benefit from some tape hiss or vinyl crackling.
I wanted to hear it working. The only part of amp restoration I have ever done is contact cleaning the pots. Your vid was fascinating. Surprised none of the tubes needed replacing. Also suprised that the foil end is not marked and not even consistant on modern cap. Cheers
Hi Mr. Carlson, thank you so much for a clear, well made & instructive video. I am looking forward to the safety cap video too.
Thanks for your kind comment, 6A8G! Any particular reason you chose a mixer tube for a name? Any interesting stories hiding there?
Thank you, as you've probably guessed I'm a vintage radio man & am self-taught with big help from 1930's - 60's electronics magazines, vintage Radio websites & the odd You Tube channel with very good instructional videos - Mr. Carlson's Lab is such a channel! But the 6A8G reference is when I "got" how the superhet circuit worked. Not a blinding flash of inspiration, just that realisation of Ahh..... THAT's how it works. The pentagrid in the circuit I was studying was the 6A8G.