I have a Citation ii in fairly good shape, its been repainted at some point, but other than that, its fairly clean. I have no experience with tubes, so I would have to pay to have the power supply upgraded using Mcshanes kit. So, Im wondering if I should sell it off, and use the proceeds to buy a new tube amp that self biases. I have had this one powered up and hooked to speakers using an ipod as input, I played it at low volume for about5 minutes and it sounded so nice and looked so darn pretty :drool: . All tubes glowed beautifully.. what to do... what to do...
H/K Citation ii thoughts
- Thread starter bwayjoes
- Start date
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NOSValves
Super Member
Nope don't sell it biasing that amp is dead simple. Do have it rebuilt by someone that knows what they are doing and stop using it until you do so! If someone knows what they are doing they will not need a kit from Jim McShane those are for DIY types that have trouble sourcing all the parts or even knowing what parts need replacing. Do not let an amatuer near that amp.
Nice looking amp, although you need a new bottom plate. Jim McShane made some of these a few years ago, but I'm not sure if he still has them in stock. I bought one from him and they were nicely done.
I'vefully restored my Citation II and think it's the best amp that I own. If I were you, I'd definitely keep it and have it restored. Just to show you how good these can get, about 6 years ago, I took my Citation II to a local club meeting in NY where we listened to it on some speakers that Blue Circle was considering bringing to market, but ultimately didn't. After listening to the combo for a couple songs, the group spontaneously broke into applause at the end of the song. I've never had that happen with another amplifier.
---Gary
You'd have to spend some serious money to get a new tube amp thats the equal to that old HK. Biasing an amp really isn't that big of a deal. It sounds scary, but most amps worth a damn had decent and fairly easy to follow instructions, and you shouldn't need to mess with it much once its set unless you change the tubes.
Thanks for the input guys, I have only used it for 5 minutes just to see if it would power up. I have the front/bottom plate, I just removed it for the interior pics if anyone wanted to see the condition of the inside to help me in my decision, you can acutally see it laying on the bed in pic 4. So, would you guys restore it cosmetically as well?
My speakers are a set of Anthony Gallo 3.1 matched with the Gallo Reference SA. I don't see those leaving my possession for a very long time, and most of my listening is done via Mog, or Marantz 6350q TT, both of these are through a NAD 1700 pre/tuner. If I have this amp gone through I would probably look for a tube pre, but, boy I enjoy having a remote in my old age..lol
Well, you certainly are not slumming it. Get it rebuilt with Jim McShane upgrades & re-tube. You wont regret it.
NOSValves
Super Member
Were they clapping for performance of the amp or that the song was over?
Sorry I'm just in one of those moods Just to make it clear the above was a joke!!
Arkay
Lunatic Member
Why not look for a tube pre that has a remote control? They do exist, although they usually cost more (most "audiophile" gear lacks remote capability, but not all). Do you use the remote control for more than volume control? If not, then you could simply put a remote-controlled stepped attenuator between pre- and power amps, using your tube preamp then only as a selector and for line-level amplification (not for volume control).
In any case, congratulations on the Citation II; you now own one of the better-sounding amps out there, period. Well worth getting properly restored and putting into service.
Definitely get in touch with Jim McShane, whether you want to restore it yourself or let a pro do it. He's the guru on these amps, and one of the most helpful people you could ever encounter.
NOSValves
Super Member
Good advice!!
Westy56
A symphony of paradox
If you are into higher end stereo or will be in the future this bulldog of an amp is snapping at everything including in McIntosh territory. And, Mac is very expensive real estate.
I'm pitting a deuce with the mcshane PS upgrades against stock MI75's. No contest for the deuce in the bass department.
I still think the mids of the mac tube amplifiers exell with voices and strings.
Steve
No worries - I sometimes find myself feeling the same way. That's why these boards are fun - they're a home for kindred spirits.
---Gary
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
I just went through this with my Citation setup. The II was a problem and required additional McShane work. Kept red plating with blown resistors. Once it was fixed, and it took about 2 months to get it resolved, it was worth the stress and headache. I met some great folks along the way and am very pleased with my current setup. If I were you I would find a local tech that has good experience with tube gear and get it refurbished. You could also send it to Don Sachs who, net of Jim McShane, probably knows more about these then anyone. Good luck.
shelly_d
Not An Audiophool
This is YOUR system. Keep and use what you enjoy. That amp should perform really well with any fine preamp, solid state or tube. If you like the current preamp keep it in the system and use it. I have been using a solid state preamp with a tube power amp for years. Very happy with the combination.
+1:yes::thmbsp: Perhaps the McIntosh outputs rival these but I am hard pressed to think of any others, and I'm not all that sure of the those.
Shelly_D
radioactive
tube gear fanatic
i'd say the iron in my fairchilds would give them all a run for their money.
+1 on this advice. Very knowledgeable and a great guy to do business with.