Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Harmon Kardon Amplifier (Tube) by MIchael Samra

Model:
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	Varies
Description:	Rebuild of classic design
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Model Picture:	View

Review by MIchael Samra ( D ) on July 29, 2006 at 15:08:10
IP Address: 66.188.49.99

Add Your Review
for the

I have a pair of fully upgraded cit 2s with Jim Mcshanes mods and paper in oil vit Q capacitors.The preamp also has Jim's full upgrades but with vit Q caps also which is my personal preference.
I run 4 large Martin Logan Monolith 2 panels in my system with 2 fully matched cit 2 amps.I do cross the panels over at 130cps and from 130cps on down thru Acoustic suspension type subs which are very fast.I biamp sometimes but its not necessary.
Very few amps can power electrostatic speakers with authority and realism like the Mcshane CIT 2..Many people know me from the audio asylum and they are well aware of my collection of tube amps which totals upwards of 88 units at any given time.I play with a lot of tube amps and I upgrade them all but for my main reference system and the one I show off to people is the Mchane Citation 2 and Cit one preamp.The amp possesses the best of solid state and tube amp qualities..It has accuracy and slam and detail and elegance when presenting the music..I use paper in oil capacitors because thats what I prefer but the amp has such a high bandwidth as do my speakers and they complement each other so well..When you do all of Jim's upgrades you have an amp that produces 73 watts of mostly class A power..It also runs about 30 degrees cooler and its much quieter than the original..I have a newer audio research D90b and an SP6b and the reason I say newer is becuase its newer than the cit 2 but cant hold a candle to the cit 2 in any way.
This amp and preamp is a marvel and I have seen reports from audio authorities that say the HK CIT 2 could be the very best amp ever made and I would easily sucuum to that thought and with Jim's full upgrades its exponentially above the original.The amps keep going up in price no matter what the cosmetic condition or functionality.Is it a wonder why?
I think not.

Product Weakness: I wish I could think of one but I cant in all honesty
Product Strengths: Detail,accuracy,smoothness,elegance,and power to burn

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Citation 2 Jim Mcshane two amps
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Citation one Jim Mcshane
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	thorens TD 160 and yamaha px3
Speakers:	Martin Logan monolith 2s and AS type bass
Cables/Interconnects:	Goertz and Straightwire maestro
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz,classical,contemporary and rock.
Room Size (LxWxH):	22ft x 40 x 7.8ft
Room Comments/Treatments:	acoustical ceiling and cement walls with Dow foam behind wall paneling
Time Period/Length of Audition:	years
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Yes my main home system

Product Weakness:	I wish I could think of one but I cant in all honesty
Product Strengths:	Detail,accuracy,smoothness,elegance,and power to burn