• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

HK Citation Seventeen preamp

rickl

rickl

I'm just a bass player
Subscriber
I just got a Citation 17 and matching 16 on the bench. I didn't see many pics on AK so I thought members might like to see one example. if there is interest, I'll post a similar 16 thread once I look at it.

this will be more of a picture thread than a restore thread.

Owner said one channel is out.

this one is covered in Datsun red overspray (owner painted is 240z and forgot to cover anything :dunno: ).

hifi engine has the service manual if you want to follow along
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/harman-kardon/citation-17.shtml

So far, I found a -24 voltage regulator out (IC2), a bad cap (C29) and two blown resistors on the power amp connector (R3/R4). And the power lamp. And 27vac or 46vac on the chassis (depending how I plug in the non polarized power plug).

As dirty as it is, i'm sure I'll find other problems.

here are a few pics.

Front faceplate
17-front.jpg

inside with cards for line stage, high/low filter, phono, power supply and eq.

17-inside-cards.jpg

boards are very easy to remove and work on.
17-cards.jpg

underside well marked for each section.
17-bottom.jpg

here is a poorly snapped pic of the 5 pin amp cable and blown R3/R4. hopefully the power amp isn't affected.

17-blownr3r4.jpg


i'll post more info as i start digging into this.

Feel free to post support or cleaning ideas. I'm assuming faderlube on the sliders but open to ideas.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I replaced ic2 with a lm7924. Now I have -24v and -15v.

I did DBT the 16 power amp. Everything ok. Brought up on mains and got the DC offset dialed down to less than 5mV and bias to 10mV.

Excited to get these working.
 
I just got back from an emergency visit that lasted 5+weeks. Yikes.

I was able to connect a iPod to the 16 power amp and speakers and it sounds great.

Back to the citation 17 preamp.
I installed the #388 bulbs, recapped the PS and output boards. Seems to work on scope/signal generator.

I tried the 16 with the 17 and had some hum. I didn't notice it when using the iPod.

I used a Hafler 200 and it sounds great. then it blew the 0.2A slow blow after about 20 minutes. Once I get another fuse, i'll pull boards one at a time to see which board might be causing the problem. I have a watt/amp meter I'll be monitoring.

@gslikker, I'll take a look at your build. thanks for the link.

more to do...
 
Last edited:
Hello everyone !
So l'm working on HK Citation 17 too. My question is the pilot light voltage ? Some models have two light bulbs mine has one , when I got this unit l tried powering it up on DBT with no luck so l pulled the power supply board and replaced all the cap's one by one making sure polarity was correct also checked zener diodes, resisters , both - and + voltage regulator's, everything check out fine , so l powder it up without the DBT to check my line voltages and check out fine.

I'm still curious as to why I have 37.4 volts @ the light bulb ? On the schematic it shows -37 volts am I missing something here ?

My next question is
Where can I purchase this bulb ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom