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Which pre-amp for my H/K Citation 12? (Not H/K Citation 11)

Shug451

Shug451

Sansui Low-Powered Amp Guy
So I'm looking to pickup a preamp that would pair well with a Harman Kardon Citation 12 power amp. I'm wondering if there is something better than a Citation 11 preamp that would look good and sound good. Anyone running their H/K 12 with another preamp they like? Tubes? Suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
 
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I bought a 12 new back in the day and used it first with a PAS3X and then a PAT5. I much preferred the PAT5 in every way. Never did try an 11.
 
Shug451 said:
So I'm looking to pickup a preamp that would pair well with a Harman Kardon Citation 12 power amp. I'm wondering if there is something better than a Citation 11 preamp that would look good and sound good. Anyone running their H/K 12 with another preamp they like? Tubes? Suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
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I was really impressed with the Bryston 1B preamp, as well as Forte Model 2. Both should be $500 or less on the used market.
 
davidb1 said:
I bought a 12 new back in the day and used it first with a PAS3X and then a PAT5. I much preferred the PAT5 in every way. Never did try an 11.
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Interesting. I wonder if tubes just don't pair as well with the 12 or if it was the PAS3X.
 
Audio Research SP-9. Looks great, sounds very nice. Not so old it needs a complete rebuild. Three versions available. Phono input, too.
 
captouch said:
I was really impressed with the Bryston 1B preamp, as well as Forte Model 2. Both should be $500 or less on the used market.
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Thanks. I wonder how the Bryston would pair with the H/K. I know the Bryston is highly regarded. I've also read it sounds a little sterile. What did you think? I'm used to the warm vintage sound of my Sansui integrated amps...
 
Shug451 said:
Thanks. I wonder how the Bryston would pair with the H/K. I know the Bryston is highly regarded. I've also read it sounds a little sterile. What did you think? I'm used to the warm vintage sound of my Sansui integrated amps...
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That's why I like the C2, Citation 16 combo. The C2 doesn't change the signature HK sound. I also have a Kenwood C1 paired with a Citation 22, and have gotten really nice results from that combo too. I previously had an Onkyo P306RS paired with the 22 and the 16, and it sounded kind of harsh compared to the Kenwood preamps.
 
I think the sterility (read clarity and cleanliness) paired properly to a full rich sounding amp would be a nice way to go. I believe the 12 is one of those amps. Buy the Bryston right and you can move on for no cost if you are not happy.
 
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Shug451 said:
Thanks. I wonder how the Bryston would pair with the H/K. I know the Bryston is highly regarded. I've also read it sounds a little sterile. What did you think? I'm used to the warm vintage sound of my Sansui integrated amps...
Click to expand...

My preconceived impression of Bryston was also that it would be sterile/lean, but it wasn’t at all. It was fairly warm, full, with nice bass and a great soundstage.
 
One comment though - the 1B was an earlier preamp - mid 80’s I think.

I can’t comment on later models - they could have changed their sound a bit later toward less warm/full. But you’re also less likely to find a later model for the same price as a 1B.
 
The Carver C-1 with BillD mods pairs very well with my Citation 12 with Nelson Pass mods.
 
I have a rebuilt Citation 12, and i use either a PAT 5, also rebuilt, or a Yamaha CX-830, been switching once in awhile, but I will say the Yamaha remote is very nice!
 
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