Harman Kardon Citation 23 (1978–1981)
The Citation 23 was Harman Kardon's solid-state preamplifier from the late 1970s. It was introduced in 1978 and produced through 1981. It sat in the company's top-tier Citation line, typically paired in systems with the Citation 21 tuner and Citation 22 amplifier. At least one owner also ran it with the Citation 19 power amp.
Most of what's documented about the 23 is on paper. It's a straightforward solid-state preamp with MM phono and line inputs. The phono stage has a 2.5mV input sensitivity and 47k ohm impedance, with RIAA accuracy rated at ±0.5dB. Line inputs are 150mV into 50k ohms. Output is 1V from both the line and pre-out stages, with a 100 ohm output impedance. Channel separation is rated at 60dB, signal-to-noise at 80dB (MM) and 90dB (line), and frequency response runs from 5Hz to 150kHz. Power consumption is a modest 25W max.
It's a compact component at 440 x 96 x 320mm and 5.6kg. No original price has surfaced in the available record, and no detailed period reviews have turned up beyond owner impressions. One AudioKarma user called it a "great pre-amp" and praised its "musical sound." The unit appeared in retail advertising listing pages in HiFI-Stereo (September 1994, p.112). If you have a brochure, manual, or a unit with a price tag intact, that would help fill out this page.
Known specs at a glance
- Type: solid-state preamplifier
- Inputs: MM phono (2.5mV, 47k ohm); line (150mV, 50k ohm)
- Outputs: 1V line, 1V pre-out (100 ohm impedance)
- Channel separation: 60dB
- S/N: 80dB (MM), 90dB (line)
- Frequency response: 5Hz–150kHz; RIAA ±0.5dB
- Dimensions: 440 x 96 x 320mm; 5.6kg; 25W max consumption
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