H/K Citation ii thoughts

[BillyB]

Interesting. As I 'perfected' a few tube amps, I notice resolution and micro detail was incredible. However the amps became too sterile sounding. Now my amps have tube warmth, details and are ultra MUSICAL.

I got away from LOMC cartridges for the same reason.

hyper detailed music with a flavorless tone does not do if for me. Go to a concert.....the music sounds nothing like the music produced by a LOMC or a neutral stereo amp. The musicians pick their equipment based largely upon tone. Whether we are talking guitars or violins. The sound at musical events I have attended has never sounded neutral to me.

 

[Freo-1]

Clearly the citation II is a much better amp than a dynaco.

Musicality is important to me. I have heard and own neutral sounding pre amps and amps. However, to me, they add a sonic signature by not having a sonic signature. It can be bland and emotionally uninvolving. I think a musical tube amp pulls you in on an emotional level.

Well stated. When the time calls for something that has 100% neutral playback, (in my case) the Pass Labs INT 150 is used for that. The tube amps just seem to provide a presence that no solid state amp setup I've ever heard can quite achieve.

After all, that's the reason we are all into this hobby, to get the emotional connection of the performance.

I think with some speakers, the Citation II can get the listener to nirvana. For me, it got pretty close, but these just work better with my setup:

 

[audiodon]

I prefer just on the warm side of neutral. You can do that with a Deuce.

 

[bwayjoes]

Well, I found a local shop in Tampa that will take a look at it for me. Anyone on the west coast of Florida had any work done by Pro-audio in Tampa? I walked in and there was about 6 McIntosh amps sitting on the finished shelf, so that gave me some confidence in them.