To join my ongoing electronics course, or quietly support this channel, click here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab Here is the Capacitor foil side map for the Harman Kardon Citation 1, click here: www.patreon.com/posts/harman-kardon-14404130

I know nothing about electronics. I'm actually a commercial artist by trade. However, I watch everything Mr. Carlson posts even though most of it is far beyond my realm of knowledge. Mr. Carlson is not only a true master of his craft, but is an incredible teacher as well. He could talk about mowing his lawn and it would be intriguing. I actually find myself learning little bits and pieces without even consciously trying. Thank you for what you do, and for sharing your incredible knowledge and knack for teaching!

Class is something some people have and some people will never have. This is a classy u tube experience. Thank you Mr. Carlson for sharing your class and your talents.

Back in the 60's, we'd buy our hi-fi gear from Mom and Pop shops or small chain stores, and most had their own service and repair depots in the back. When you bought some new audio gear, the dealer would typically put their sticker on the side of the unit, to encourage you to get your service done at their shop.

I learn so much from your videos. As an added bonus, your voice has a calming quality, so if I am feeling stressed, one of your videos not only educates me, but also helps me relax. You're the best!

You are the only person I get genuinely excited to watch new videos. Thank you for the content and knowledge.

!! I remember Audotronic! They used to have a location on Main St in Flushing Queens in the 70's and 80's. Great people.

Brilliant. So thorough, so well explained, so educational. I've learned so much. Thank you Mr Carlson.

Thank you so much Mr. Carlson, for all your wonderful videos and thanks for all the time you spend helping everyone understand these concepts. I enjoy your videos so much and get a lot out of every one. All the training I had thirty-years ago is slowly seeping back into my brain and it's really because of you and your great teaching technique. You are an asset to KZfaq. :-)

Very nice video. Thanks for pointing out the requirement for changing the RF surpressor capacitors on the power input. Old capacitors are a substantial shock and fire hazard. Especially, if it is gear operated on 240 Volts, like in Europe.

That is a beautifully designed case, a great electronic design, and of course amazing restoration work! I want one of these now even though I have no use for one as of now!

I have such limited knowledge of electronics, but I have a vintage tube stereo system and I so wish I had even a fraction of Mr Carlson's immense knowledge on the subject. I can watch these entire videos and get some sort of understanding of what's going on. Truly fascinating. He has a true talent for making a complex subject understandable.

I don't understand much, but I still watch for hours!

I am very impressed, more than 50 years and still in almost pristine condition. Many thanks for showing us your work!.

Nice job of electronic forensics. Good to use all of your senses when investigating problems.

I had a Harman Kardon A50K 50 watt integrated stereo tube amp in the early 60's. Loved it. I'm loving your videos on both audio & musical instrument gear since I'm an audio engineer and a musician

This has got to be the cleanest preamp I have seen on KZfaq. This really makes it easier to repair this old bird of music prowlice. Keep up the great work Paul. Love your channel too.

Never understand why there is any negative feedback. Well done. Another great show. Look forward to the next one.

I'm amazed at the internal looks of this preamp, considering that it is (at least) 56 years old. I could not believe when you read 1964 and I had to rewind the video a couple times to make sure I was hearing it right. Then I could not believe the front face and the tubes cans are so bright and shiny as they tend to yellow with age, even for much newer equipment. Then it comes to my mind... boy, I was 4 years old when this thing was "serviced". Yes, another grabbing video to be enjoyed by all "electronics technicians by heart". ... I miss the old times since long ago.. I've been a software test engineer for the past 25 years but the old electronics person never died.

I love your lab... you are one of the very few people that has more test gear surrounding them at work station than me. Growing up in Tek back yard, I am died in the wool Tek junkie. Nice old HK... a true survivor.

As an electronic engineer myself, I'm happy I found this great channel. Cheers

I’ve seen you discuss outside foil before but never understand why, I was one of those guy that would have said it doesn’t matter. This was great demonstration of why it does matter.

Excellent video! I lived a few blocks from Harman Kardon in the 60's and 70's when they were made in Plainview, Long Island, NY. A couple of friends were technicians there.

Thank you for being such a great teacher! I know absolutely NOTHING about electronics but your explanations while still being "techie", novices like me can follow you and have some understanding of what you are doing! Makes electronics even more fascinating! Well done! I subscribed to your channel because electronics fascinates me!!

this is a kind of "philosophy of classic electronics".... and I think this is right way to treat special things..... with mildens and deep understanding......

Thanks for showing us how it is done Paul. Nice restoration!

The Citation I came in kit or wired form when new. Since this unit has the RCA jacks, power supply capacitors, and other items mounted with discrete screws and nuts, I believe that this is a unit built from a kit. My Citation I, which was factory wired, has rivets securing the RCA jacks, tube sockets, and power supply electrolytics. I also remember this from servicing these units in the 1961-1964 time period. I bought my Citation I in 1962.

Thanks Paul! This is a great looking unit and as you said. incredibly clean.

I love your voice, even your Canadian pronunciation of “out” an “House”. Sometimes I put on your videos just for background sound when I work on long complicated projects. Thank you so much!

I'm also not an electronics wiz.. But love vintage audio gear. Thanks Paul, this kind of video really helps me communicate with my audio tech when I need to get stuff serviced.

Very nice repair. I learned a lot, thanks Mr. Carlson for putting your work in making this and all your vids.

Sustained excellence, as always. Thank you very much for making this!

I'm definitely looking forward to that video about safety capacitors.

Paul... your technical skill never ceases to amaze me but this particular restoration is a work of functional art.

Wow! Audotronic is still around! They've moved about 15 miles away from the location on the sticker, but still in NYC!

I know where that repair place was! It was outside of Elmont, down the street from the White Castle, which i think is still there. Audtronic had a good reputation for repairing anything electronic. They were a bit pricey even back in the day. Stuff like that makes me feel old.

I have never seen tube shields that looked so shiny and clean.

another great video Paul... much appreciated... the capacitor polarization is something that I learned from one of your earlier vids along with lots of other useful stuff on repair and restoration. This is definitely my favourite KZfaq channel...

I really like Mr. Carlson's video. The preamp is truly beautiful inside and outside.

A very nice sympathetic restoration. Thanks Paul.

I wish we had a reputable audio repair man in our area i could trust like Mr C.

fantastic and fascinating insight to electronics explained in a superb way, by far the most informative and educational channel on this subject...

The HK Citation 1 was a landmark in early-60's hi fi. I think it was designed by Stew Hegeman. It was sort of a poorer man's Marantz Model 7, considered by most of the day as the absolute top dog. The Citation 2 was its matching power amp; again, quite well-thought of. Both were universally praised as exceptional by both camps: Julian Hirsch (Hirsch-Houck Labs, writer for "Stereo Review") of the objectivist school (it can only sound good if it MEASURES well on the bench) and the newly-emerging subjectivists, (your own EARS can be the best guide) led by J. Gordon Holt ("Stereophile") and later, Harry Pearson of "The Absolute Sound.") Back then, it was possible to be a full-featured preamp (LOTS of knobs!) and still qualify for great sound. Later, at least for the "golden ear" crowd, LESS (input jacks, switches, tone controls, number of preamp stages, amount of feedback -- in essence, less COMPLEXITY) was deemed "better" as there was less between the source and the speaker to potentially muddy things up.

Once again i just enjoy watching and try to learn a bit!

Another fascinating video. I find myself eagerly awaiting each new release. It's a pity that we didn't see you soldering one of the new caps into the pre-amp since you went to some lengths to explain the need to avoid lead stress.

Very valuable information delivered in a very digestible form!

Not sure if you know, Jim Macshane. I bought his kits for My Citation 1 and 2. My dad built in 1963 w the RCA club. I have someone up grading to Jim's Kits. The Tech doing the system was completely surprise over his parts and the upgrade. There is nothing on the planet like these pre-amp and amp. I also have JBL Harkness C-40(15"). My Dad(passed on years ago) also has the AR-XA w/Shure. Having the near best all my life, its hard to impress me today but with advancements with vintage equipment I am highly impressed. Kenrick Audio has horns that blow me away. I purchased the chrome hosing for my restoration for the pre amp. I have all the building construction books. Also have the Citation A & B w/books my Uncle(passed on years ago) built back then. The first Solid State system. I am glad I have them today. Great Job on repair. That pre-amp is in awesome condition

In awe of your forensic electronics skills. I miss the smell of my childhood amplifier (Scott Kit, built by my Dad in 62) I can almost smell it warming up while watching some of your videos.

As an Audiophile i congratulate you for repairing this beauty! A very fine piece indeed, those preamplifiers sound fantastic,

Wow Mr Carlson, you're the best!! Thank you.

Thank You from Phase III Lab's. in Chicago. This was my first PreAmp Kits I build along with the Citation 2 Power Amp. with KT88 Gold Lion Output Tubes in 1962. These were my first love and they are still working, I'm going to rebuild these units, However I use McIntosh Equ. now.

Hi Paul. About the dragging the fingertips across the faceplate. A friend of mine had a old fisher receiver. Those have stacked volume and balance control in one knob. What happened was they had dragged the balance control all the way to the right when turning down the volume. Henceforth they thought that the Left channel was dead... All I did was turn the control behind the volume knob the the center position... They were flabbergasted that I solved the problem just by looking at the unit... I scored some major brownie points that day! It was my girlfriends dad. After that I could do no wrong :)

Excellent thorough job.This guy knows his stuff.

Yet another excellent, extremely informative video. Thank you!

Awesome video and beautiful work! Thank you for all you do.

Mr Carlson: Fantastic!! Thank you very much.

Mr Carlson, you're the Bob Ross of analog electronics. I could watch your channel all day, and I'm not even a hardware guy (I work at a test and measurement company, but solely in software...)

When I was a kid, I was working on a solid-state preamp, and one of the things the guy I got it from said was wrong was that the balance didn't work right. After about two days of trying to find the problem, I finally realized that the control had been replaced with a log-taper pot! There was effectively much more resistance on one side, than the other, and the rate of change was different as well, leading to interesting behavior (almost impossible to center well). Anyway, just thought I'd share that amusing anecdote. Love your videos by the way.

Speaking of counterfeit parts, I have a very cheap poweramp for my desk and after a few years it began crackling. Opened it up and sure enough the filter caps had leaked onto and UNDER the board eating away at the copper traces. First of all they started leaking at the bottom, without signs of bloating at the top, so they looked fine. They read: 2200uF 35V 105°C nichicon(in appropriate lettering), yeah definately not... Turns out there were smaller capacitors inside, without any label whatsoever. Also the Vss and Vcc rails were at ±37 Volts. I replaced all of the capacitors, even the film ones because they looked suspicious as well. Sounds better than beforehand too.

The way those horizontal tube shields are mounted above the jacks In back is interesting, very industrial look. I haven't seen that before, very cool! Thanks for another great video!

Fascinating piece of audio gear! It's awesome to see how much care and love for their products Hi-Fi brands did put in the past. Sadly, nothing to do with nowadays use-and-dispossal generalized attitude (even in the High End territory!). Thanks for your voice, so calmy, clear and relaxing.

There is nothing better than vacuum tube audio equipment.

I'm really nice ,,,,,,,,, I learn something new with every one of you vids GREAT JOB!!! And what a lucky find you had with this one!!!!

Great job as usual, learned more. Thank you Paul

I had one. Note the switch on the bottom, "phasing." Used to reverse the phase on a channel, for proper stereo. Unique.

masterful work as usual Mr Carlson

Great job picking up the errors of the capacitor factory install. Interesting of the capacitor on the power supply. I will be looking for the separate video for the safety fix. You do a great job explaining the history, details of all the components. Neat and clean, pride in your craft. Something that is lacking in todays world

sir, your narration of the repair is so professional and very informative. Your knowledge in electronics is profound. thank you

Thanks so much for this video! I have one of these that needs to be gone through, so this is perfect, though your example is in much better condition. Who ever built this pre-amp did a pretty good job (remember, these where kits when new). I also have the matching Citation II power amp and Citation III tuner.

I have no idea why, but I enjoy watching your repair work. Might I suggest a little more history on, why the unit came to you, and the type of work the client requested. Thanks again sir for sharing.

It's funny you mentioned conterfeit resistors. I had purchased several multi-paks and ended up checking all of them and matching resistors to get correct or near correct values. I learned at Boeing that putting an "S" in parts leads for stress relief and a half turn on the binding post

Nice restoration to a true classic.

That is beautiful. I used to have a Mac C28 and it had the rollover and turnover for everything from a tape head, microphone to early 78's or RIAA.

TU as always. must've belong to somebody like me. my vintage 80's equipment's look as new as the day i bought them. not a single scratch or even a finger print. they have survived 12 major moves across country and still flawless.

My restored Citation was literally in the mail to me when I stumbled onto this video. It does NOT have the line cord safety cap mod, so I'l be looking forward towards your future video.

That is one well cared for amplifier i am amazed like you that it was so clean and i bet it would sound amazing with the right speakers and a good final amplifier.

Beside the incredible knowledge..you are a great story teller SIR...thank you so much

Great video, Paul. Thanks.

I enjoy watching your videos Mr Carson keep up the good work

I like using truss head stainless screws, they cover up the original marks nicely.

Your content is always excellent, however the video quality here is stunning, the views of the preamplifier look like a publicity shot and yet there is movement. Lovely use of depth of field too.

possibly the best most conscientious restorer on ya'll tube. good job mr carlson.

Excellent video. I have the same preamp along with the matching citation 2 amplifier and citation 3 tuner. They have been in storage for years, I would love to restore them but I don’t think I have the knowledge yet to do it myself. Though after watching this video digging into the preamp is a little less scary.

Dr. Carlson does it once again. Great video 📹 👍

Thanks for another great video, Paul! Always top notch! 73. De N9WHH

I can see why the owner kept the preamp in such good shape. Harmon Kardon Citation equipment are highly sought after and have great sound. Not too often you see very early stuff like the Citation 1.

Aww I wanted to see it work in the end.. I mean hooked up and hearing music through it!! But this is a great learning video.. I have a couple of reel to reel audio tape machines that could use some servicing... I wish you could have a look at them..

Good work . . . as always. Glad you are back in stride amigo!!

Thank for new post Paul......one step at a time.....

Wow, another outstanding video. Well done and thank you.

Great video. Really loved seeing the insides of that HK. Glad I wasn't the one who had to build it back in the day -- HUGE piece-count !! Wish you had done an overview of the circuitry, like you have done with radios on other videos. I'd love to see you assess an MC-60 or MC-275 McIntosh power amp, or an Audio Research D-79 sometime. Or even a Dyna Stereo 70. Not sure when you'd find time, though. Or, under the ham gear category, go inside a Collins KWM-2a sometime, just for giggles...

What I especial like about your work, is that you don't "just" repair it, but you make it look like no one have touched it, like it easy could have looked original! :-)

Im confused why there is thumbs down this is superb video work and very educational every video is of the highest quality in image and information i think some people are jealous.good work mr carlson!

Harman Kardon makes and made some real quality gear. This one was definitely worth saving!

Absolutely fantastic video. Your presentation is top-notch!

Truly enjoyable to watch. Thank you.

Thank you so much Paul !! I gain more knowledge through your experience.

What a stellar looking preamp

thanks again mr.carlson my hero

your audio is impossibly noise free, props on the good audio work. although considering the retro electronics nature of it I feel it would benefit from some tape hiss or vinyl crackling.