Citation 11 Cable Harness

beej

Proud BaPa of G, A and AJ
Subscriber
After having conducted a thorough, not exhaustive, but thorough search I have come to the conclusion that the Citation 11 cable harness is as close to unobtanium as it gets without actually getting there. I'm sure if I offered someone who has one an astronomical sum (no, I don't know what that is actually) I could obtain one but for obvious reasons I'd rather not do that. So, after receiving encouragement from several AKers, the most recent of whom is Firby13 in this thread

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=228849&highlight=citation

I've decided that I will construct one. That said, my technical skills (borderline on a very good day) notwithstanding it seems that locating the correct amphenol connector is the principal obstacle in my way. I've emailed a number of suppliers and responses have ranged from: 'Wow, not sure I can locate one that old' to no response at all.

I've included pics that I hope will prove helpful and an excerpt from the owner's manual showing how the connection is made.

I would be truly grateful to anyone who has an idea on where I might obtain such a connector. The receptacle on the Citation 11 is 3/4" in diameter, is in the upper right hand corner when viewed from the rear and is indeed 5 pin.

Thanks for any leads.
 

Attachments

Register to hide this ad
Steve,
Pattern was correct in terms of pins' relative position, but not in terms of measurement between pins. I think you've got the pin number/connections correct.
Butch
 
I know we would all like to keep stuff original, but have you concidered replacing the unobtanium 5-pin din socket on the back of the pre amp with two banana 5-way binding posts? Think Pioneer Spec 1. This would depend on the amount of room behind the original din socket.

Ray
 
Last edited:
Ray, thanks for the suggestion. You're right; I would like to keep the gear in its original configuration. That said, I may very well have to reconfigure it as you suggest. I'm hoping not but I may have to.
 
The connector was popular on older CB sets so you may want to try ham radio stores and the like to see what they have under the dust. It also should be the same as the Empire tonearm plug in case you have one of them kicking around is a parts bin.
 
Ask someone who knows more about STAX than I do, because that looks exactly like the plug that's on my STAX earspeaker/adapter box, and I know that there are always companies building new stuff with STAX plugs in their gear. They are out there.



Stax_Headphone_Cable_Connectors.jpg



(That's the best photo I could find online)
 
I could also swear that somewhere on this site is a also pic of a Radio shack plug for this with a part # .. Should have saved it at the time but I can't find it now for the life of me. Might have been in the MJARVE thread but I can't find that either.
 
Steve, You got me going down the right road and given the typically wonderful response of our fellow AKers I'm convinced we'll get there. Thanks.
Butch
 
Thank you, David. That appears to be a winner and I've just ordered it. I will report back here once I receive it and then again after I've 'crafted' (not sure that word should apply to anything I make) the harness.

Thanks to everyone.

Butch
 
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pr...-71-6S&R=7190022&SEARCH=7190022&DESC=86-71-6S this has 6 pins so one would need to be removed. Supposed to be the match for the socket mentioned above.

Maybe Allied can see if it fits the socket.

There is a listing online for Cooper Industries discontinued products and the socket is on the list. CDMelectronics may have them available. Probably worth a call to see if they have the matching plug for the socket.
 
Blue Shadow, After having checked out the plug in the link (it does look to be the right one) I spoke with Ron at Allied late yesterday afternoon and sent him the two pics and the illustration. I expect to hear from him today.

And to be clear with everyone who has offered advice and assistance, I've followed up (and am continuing to do so) with every lead offered here. I thank you.
 
Beej, thanks for the extra effort. I am awaiting the results of your research as I have a Cit 11 and a Cit 17, both of which use that plug.

Cheers,

David
 
Beej, thanks for the extra effort. I am awaiting the results of your research as I have a Cit 11 and a Cit 17, both of which use that plug.

Cheers,

David

David, I'm obsessing over this plug. And I'm afraid I have two Cit 11's; one the older version, the other the newer with the two gain pots on the rear panel. I have to say I love this preamp and can't wait to see it perform to its full potential.

Butch
 
Yes, the Cit 11 really surprised me, too. I fully recapped mine last August and the soundstage really opened up. At first, I was going to sell it on since came in with a whole Citation 11, 16 power amp, 15 tuner and ST7 TT system I picked up this summer.

That's changed now that it really has stood up to the best amps I've used with it. Given the Cit 11 was a competitor to the Mac C28, I've compared it to that pre, too, and it does, indeed do just as well or better. The C28 has been fully rebuilt, too.

One thing to look at on the Cit 11 are the RCA jacks. If it is like mine, the grounding for them is a small ring pressed onto the jack. If these have not been rotated slightly, do so to ensure the grounding has been fully made. I actually have soldered them to the jack's outer connector to make sure they are in good shape. There was a similar problem with the C28's RCA jacks oxidizing over the decades and causing hum and noise.

Cheers,

David
 
Got the connector!!

While I was following up on the leads that everyone provided and waiting for Allied to call me back (still waiting as of close of business Fri 11/6) I found this site:

www.ultraelectronicactive.com

Marc the owner is a class guy. I sent him the illustration and the pics and he came up with two complete sets (plugs and sockets). He parts out nonworking vintage gear and that's where these two came from. The plugs fit :banana:.

Here's where I out myself as a novice in the DIY world. It appears that the correct cable is either 12 or 14 gauge solid. I'm thinking that the best way to secure the wire to the pins is by tinning the wire first, then inserting each into the appropriate pin while heating the outside of the pin. Have I got it right?

Again, I do appreciate any and all input and assistance.

Butch
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom