Harmon Kardon Citation

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mulls

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Dec 27, 2004
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Hello
Seeking opinions from any stereo buffs out there.I have a Harmon Kardon Citation pre amp and power amp-nearly 30 years of great service and still work as new.Doing a den remodel and would really like to update to newer equipment with remote control.I use these pieces to power Klipsch Lascalas with a powered sub.First,I love the sound of the HKs-would newer stuff from Rotel,Hafler,etc be as good or better?All the music I listen to is 50s,60s,early 70s.Also,do my old HKs have any value to offset the cost of updating?Thanks to any who respond,all opinions welcome.
Tom
 
Wow!! NICE-"How 'bout setting up your HK and Klipsch in another room as a second system-these would be better than most Hi-Fi products sold today.Some folks do that-they have a "Home theater" and a second system for music listening using their old Stereo Hi-fi components or even buy a second system new.I would like to do the above-but not enough space-its taken up by old vacs and other neat appliance treasures.
 
Stereo experts

Dont do home theater,wife and daughter do in living room-the den(MINE!)is the listening room.Here is another question-could I use a modern pre-amp with my old HK and have the remote capability I need with the classic sound?
Tom
 
Yes,you should be able to.You will probably have to look in a high end dealer,most "box" stores no longer carry preamps.The high-end place will probably try to sell you a matching power amp-even thogh yours is OK-and would still work.If you ahve a receiver with power amps built in and has a remote-look on its back panel-where the input-output connections are-and see if there is a set of connectors marked"pre amp out"and there are jumpers in it that connect to the receivers power amp section-you could then use such a receiver as a preamp-remove the jumpers and connect the receiver preamp outs to the input of your HK power amp.You then could use the receivers remote to switch sources,adjust volume,etc.you would then be using your HK amp in place of the receivers.Have done this.You could also use the tuner section in the receiver as well just like before.A receiver that has this feature may be less expensive than a new preamp.Look at the "sale" tables and sections of your local "box" store for possibilities.
 
Re: Receiver brands

NOW you've hit my area of major expertise. Rotel, HK, Sunfire, Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon and Marantz would all make FANTASTIC high end choices. I have heard many of the above and the clarity and power are out of this world. If you want the best in sound, clarity, power, and price isn't an issue? I would go with Marantz, Sunfire or Rotel. If price is more of an issue, go with Sony ES, Denon or HK. As far as speakers?? Oh the possibilities are ENDLESS. That is all a matter of personal preference, although I'm almost positive if you go out listening to a few new sets you will find the clarity and bass reproduction superior to your older set. Just a few brands of choice, B&W, Wharfdale, Klipsch, Boston Acoustics, Jamo and JBL are some GREAT choices. If you want my personal preference (which may be entirely different from yours) I personally Think Sony ES and JBL are a FANTASTIC combination, that's what I have. I have HUGE Floor standing 15 inch woofer main speakers, a dual channel center and 3 12 inch bookshelves in the rear topped off with a 10 inch 200 W powered subwoofer. I've probably caused structural damage with my system. Again, like I said, it's all a personal preference, mix and match and demand to hear anything a few times before you buy it.
 
Stereo

Thanks for the input guys-I am VERY satisfied with my speakers-the Klipsch Lascalas are incredible for mids and highs but have very weak bottom ends-I solved that problem with a Klipsch RSW 15 sub.For any who dont know,the Lascalas are horn loaded and are still made today on a special order basis-they were first sold in 1962.They have the same internals as the Klipschorns but are in smaller cabinets that dont have to be placed in corners.I think my best and cheapest alternative will be to buy a good preamp with remote to use with my power amp,it is rated at 160 watts per channel.The speakers are extremely efficient as horns tend to be-huge sound levels at low power.
Tom
 
COOL!!I have listened to a pair of LaScalas-unbelable!!they were driven by a low powered amp-a music group that played acoustic guitars used them while performing in the auditorium in the college I went to.The sound was very natural and uncolored-Many of todays speakers BADLY color the sound-the vintage models are better-it would be unfair indeeed to compare LaScalas to todays speakers.The LaScalas require MUCH LESS amp power because of their horn loaded construction-remember speakers such as those were designed in the "tube amp" days where high powered amps didn't exist.The invention of the modern bi-polar HV transister made high powered amps possible and inexpensive.-so speaker makers abandoned horn designs-expensive and bulky to the less efficient acoustic suspension and modified bass reflex enclosures used today.The LaScalas are ancestors to the Klipsch Cinema speaker systems used today.Cinemas like to use the horn designs for lower amp costs and the horn "forces" the sound thru a perforated screen better than bare speakers and other designs.Onkyo makes an excellent receiver-that what I use now-and if I can repair my Mcintosh monoblocks-I could use it to drive them as a preamp.It has the Preamp-out connectors on its rear panel.KEEP THOSE LASCALAS!!!Better than most modern speakers.
 

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