Citation 11 Cable Harness

[beej]

After having conducted a thorough, not exhaustive, but thorough search I have come to the conclusion that the Citation 11 cable harness is as close to unobtanium as it gets without actually getting there. I'm sure if I offered someone who has one an astronomical sum (no, I don't know what that is actually) I could obtain one but for obvious reasons I'd rather not do that. So, after receiving encouragement from several AKers, the most recent of whom is Firby13 in this thread

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sho...light=citation

I've decided that I will construct one. That said, my technical skills (borderline on a very good day) notwithstanding it seems that locating the correct amphenol connector is the principal obstacle in my way. I've emailed a number of suppliers and responses have ranged from: 'Wow, not sure I can locate one that old' to no response at all.

I've included pics that I hope will prove helpful and an excerpt from the owner's manual showing how the connection is made.

I would be truly grateful to anyone who has an idea on where I might obtain such a connector. The receptacle on the Citation 11 is 3/4" in diameter, is in the upper right hand corner when viewed from the rear and is indeed 5 pin.

Thanks for any leads.

[Firby13]

Beej,
Did the Pins line up from the ones that you ordered or was the pattern wrong too?
Steve

[beej]

Steve,
Pattern was correct in terms of pins' relative position, but not in terms of measurement between pins. I think you've got the pin number/connections correct.
Butch

[Ramundo]

I know we would all like to keep stuff original, but have you concidered replacing the unobtanium 5-pin din socket on the back of the pre amp with two banana 5-way binding posts? Think Pioneer Spec 1. This would depend on the amount of room behind the original din socket.

Ray

[beej]

Ray, thanks for the suggestion. You're right; I would like to keep the gear in its original configuration. That said, I may very well have to reconfigure it as you suggest. I'm hoping not but I may have to.

[Brian]

The connector was popular on older CB sets so you may want to try ham radio stores and the like to see what they have under the dust. It also should be the same as the Empire tonearm plug in case you have one of them kicking around is a parts bin.

[beej]

Thanks, Brian. I'll follow up on that lead.

[thefragger]

Ask someone who knows more about STAX than I do, because that looks exactly like the plug that's on my STAX earspeaker/adapter box, and I know that there are always companies building new stuff with STAX plugs in their gear. They are out there.

(That's the best photo I could find online)

[beej]

Thanks, thefragger; I'll follow up on this today.

[Firby13]

I could also swear that somewhere on this site is a also pic of a Radio shack plug for this with a part # .. Should have saved it at the time but I can't find it now for the life of me. Might have been in the MJARVE thread but I can't find that either.

[beej]

Steve, You got me going down the right road and given the typically wonderful response of our fellow AKers I'm convinced we'll get there. Thanks.
Butch

[dshoaf]

I see that the Amphenol 78-S6S socket is mentioned here: http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com/Produc...beSockets.aspx . It is about 1/2 way down the page.

I see from that entry that the plug _might_ be either a 5 or 6 pin depending on whether the center pin is used but that the pin spacing is the same. From the Cit 11 service manual, I see that pins 1,2,4 and 5 are used.

Cheers,

David

[beej]

Thank you, David. That appears to be a winner and I've just ordered it. I will report back here once I receive it and then again after I've 'crafted' (not sure that word should apply to anything I make) the harness.

Thanks to everyone.

Butch

[beej]

Back in the hunt I'm afraid. This listing was for the socket only according to Jim at Vaccum Tubes Inc. He's familiar with the plug but not sure where to locate one.

http://www.vacuumtubesinc.com/Produc...beSockets.aspx

Not done yet by a long shot, though. May have a handle on both socket and plug. Stay tuned, so to speak.

[Blue Shadow]

http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pro...&DESC=86-71-6S this has 6 pins so one would need to be removed. Supposed to be the match for the socket mentioned above.

Maybe Allied can see if it fits the socket.

There is a listing online for Cooper Industries discontinued products and the socket is on the list. CDMelectronics may have them available. Probably worth a call to see if they have the matching plug for the socket.