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Harman Kardon Citation 16 vs. 16A

sonix

sonix

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,

I am having a difficult time figuring out which is which by just looking at the face of these amps.

What is the visual difference between the Harman Kardon Citation 16 vs. the 16A version? Should one have an A suffix somewhere on the case? How can you tell just by looking at the pictures on front and or back.

Thanks!
 
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It will be in the back panel's label. The cosmetics are the same on the front panel so a quick look for minor details there isn't going to get you anything.

Be aware that there were some cosmetic changes made to the 16s in their production runs. One is that the fluted, silver knobs that had a pointer molded in were replaced with more finely fluted knobs without a pointer. This change was made when the Citation 11 preamp was replaced with the Citation 17 preamp. It has nothing to do, however, with the switch over to the 16A nor did it happen at that time point.

Just rely on the label on the back to be sure. You can, of course, use a picture of the driver boards and look for an IC chip near the middle of the top of that board.

Cheers,

David
 
The knobs, power switch, front panel graphics are a clear indication.

A cit 16A will have the larger fine knurled knob, silver push-button power switch, and the front panel graphics are gray.

A cit 16 will have the smaller coarse knob, black power switch, and black graphics.

The rear panel will clearly state Citation 16 or Citation 16 series A.
 
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2222435&postcount=4

attachment.php
 
Citation 16: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel. Has toggle switch for power. Has LED power output indicators. Brushed aluminum front panel insert.

Citation 16S: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel with no LED power output indicators, just a blank black rack panel with a toggle power switch. Same driver boards as Citation 16.

Citation 16A: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel. Has LED power output indicators. Marked as series "A" on back panel. Has push button power switch, slightly larger knobs with finer grooves, revised driver boards, revised silk-screening on back panel. Had 2 different color versions for front panel insert, brushed aluminum or black.

Citation 16AS: Labeled as Citation 16S on front panel. Marked as series "A" on back panel. Blank black front panel without LED power indicators, with Citation 16A driver boards, minus the LED power output indicators. Push button power switch.

The "S" versions were for "short" meaning that they were short (or missing) the LED power output indicators. Front panel labeling on the different versions was confusing.

All 4 versions had 2 neon AC power indicators to the left of the power switch on the front panel, one for each channel's separate power supply.

Very rugged idiot-proof home consumer stereo amplifier that was used often as a commercial grade amplifier in clubs because it was "built like a tractor", as Robert Greenberg said in 1976, then president of H/K.
 
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4morhktech said:
Citation 16: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel. Has toggle switch for power. Has LED power output indicators. Brushed aluminum front panel insert.

Citation 16S: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel with no LED power output indicators, just a blank black rack panel with a toggle power switch. Same driver boards as Citation 16.

Citation 16A: Labeled as Citation 16 on front panel. Has LED power output indicators. Marked as series "A" on back panel. Has push button power switch, slightly larger knobs with finer grooves, revised driver boards, revised silk-screening on back panel. Had 2 different color versions for front panel insert, brushed aluminum or black.

Citation 16AS: Labeled as Citation 16S on front panel. Marked as series "A" on back panel. Blank black front panel without LED power indicators, with Citation 16A driver boards, minus the LED power output indicators. Push button power switch.

The "S" versions were for "short" meaning that they were short (or missing) the LED power output indicators. Front panel labeling on the different versions was confusing.

All 4 versions had 2 neon AC power indicators to the left of the power switch on the front panel, one for each channel's separate power supply.

Very rugged idiot-proof home consumer stereo amplifier that was used often as a commercial grade amplifier in clubs because it was "built like a tractor", as Robert Greenberg said in 1976, then president of H/K.
Click to expand...

Possibly the best description of the variations on the model ive ever seen
Great!
 
Citation 16 on local List Of Craig for $200... good deal?

Must be the 16AS as it has no power meters.

- jobot
 
Thanks for clearing up the variations. Im seriously considering selling my sansui g6000 to pick ul a citation 16s. I own a pair of Sony ss-tl5, but I plan to snag a pair of Carver al-III so im thinking a pair of citations 16s will do :)
 
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