Harman/Kardon Citation 17 and Citation 19

[Bubbalouie]

I have an opportunity to buy the Citation 17 and Citation 19. They were purchased about two years go, and the seller had both cleaned, serviced, and repaired. All lights have been changed to LED. The equalizer and phono stage has been upgraded. I would rate condition of both to be 7 or 8/10. The outer cases show normal wear. The seller told me if I was very serious about purchasing both, he will try and send me pics.

Not knowing much about the Citation 17 and Citation 19, how did the Citation series with the other name brands of the day, would both be worth adding to an audio system or should I look for something else, and knowing both have been cleaned, serviced, and repaired, what would they be worth. I need some idea when he starts talking price. I don't want to pay more than what they're worth, but I want both of us to come away feeling we got a good deal.

Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

 

[swechsler]

These come up fairly frequently on eBay. Searching completed auctions should give you at least a start on value. As far as quality is concerned, I've never owned or heard them, but they were fairly highly regarded in their day (at least a step above the standard Harman/Kardon fare, which was already better than average; oh, how the mighty have fallen). However, keep in mind that you're talking about 35+ year old technology. Probably a good buy if you're specifically looking for a vintage system. However, due to many technological improvements since then, if you're just looking for a good sounding, but not necessarily vintage system, this may not be your best deal.

 

[KiM3Ce]

The Yahoo Citation group is a great source of information:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/citationsound/info

These were reviewed beside the best designs of their day. They were HK's "halo" products, their shot at state-of-the-art but not as extravagantly built as some. Good luck!

 

[ggregg]

Had a Seventeen S preamp years ago. Very impressive.

 

[soundmotor]

I have an opportunity to buy the Citation 17 and Citation 19. They were purchased about two years go, and the seller had both cleaned, serviced, and repaired. All lights have been changed to LED. The equalizer and phono stage has been upgraded. I would rate condition of both to be 7 or 8/10.

Personally, I would love to have set with this work done. If it was competently performed you would have a nice set of users. Then you have the pieces themselves; clean modern styling, plenty of input options on the pre-, and the amp is a beast! As far as them being the sonic end-all, be-all, I've reached to point where that last few subjective % is less important. There is little doubt though (based on comments from owners) that these will likely be good enough and probably much better than you expect. It really comes down to how much $$$ and whether or not it makes sense to you? My main criteria on buying vintage gear like this is whether or not I am likely to recoup what I am spending if I change my mind on it down the road. Market factors can make that totally random so caveat emptor.