Harman Kardon Citation 1 (1964–1969)

The Citation 1 was Harman Kardon's tube-based stereo preamplifier. It belonged to the company's high-end Citation line, which also included the Citation II power amplifier and the Citation III tuner. It was introduced in 1964 and produced through 1969.

Audio (November 1960, p.42) praised the Citation group as a whole. The magazine said that listening through the system gave the impression of hearing "clear back to the original performance," with fine musical nuances preserved. The preamplifier was sold as a kit and as a factory-wired unit, which fit the Citation series' reputation among hobbyist builders.

What's known about the Citation 1's specifications:

Output level: 1.0V (output impedance 100Ω)
Input sensitivity: 1.2mV (MM phono), 60mV (line)
Signal-to-noise ratio: 65dB (phono), 80dB (line)
Input impedance: 47kΩ (phono), 250kΩ (line)
Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (sources differ on tolerance: one states 20Hz to 20kHz, another specifies −1dB)
RIAA accuracy: ±1dB
Dimensions: 407 × 121 × 267mm; weight: 15kg

Beyond these figures, the record is thin. No original price is documented, and the exact tube complement isn't recorded in available sources. No service notes, common failure points, or current collector pricing have been documented either. The Citation 1 was an all-tube preamplifier from a period when Harman Kardon was competing at the top of the audio market.