goldear63

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Private/Local

Summary:
Trying to keep up with technology is an endless battle...and sometimes, not always a winning one. I purchased my original 7.0 back in 1996, and while I loved it, I was eventually drawn into the digital age. Fortunately, I was lucky to take part in Madrigal's upgrade program, trading my Citation in for their new Proceed AVP. While the AVP was a wonderful piece as well, it just didn't have the analog/logic steering properties of the Citation that I had grown accustomed to. Thankfully, a local seller afforded me the oppurtunity to reaquire another Citation, which I promptly added to my system alongside my AVP. On my further quest for a one-box solution to the digital/analog problem, I have gone through a number of quality preamp processors. Eventually dumping the AVP, I tried out an EAD, Lexicon MC-1, a recently disposed of Parasound Halo C2...and now, a Lexicon MC-12 that sits on my shelf, next to my Citation. Through all my ventures, including my time with the MC-12, I've discovered that there is little out there than can match the Citation for 2-channel analog music or even analog surround sound. While the discrete formats are also great..and sound fantastic on my Lexicon, I still prefer Redbook CD on the Citation While I often choose DD/DTS for movies over most matrix devices, 6-Axis still shines on those sources that have weak or poor recordings...including a lot of older movies that have been remastered in so-called 5.1. With the advent of DPLII(x) and the legacy of Logic-7, there are obviously other choices as well...but in my opinion, with the analog flexibility and stability of 6-Axis, it is still one of the best available. Its ability to extract and resolve low-frequency without sounding bloated is remarkable. Not to metion the pristine mids and highs presented in great detail. And unlike other matrices that still suffer from complicated recordings, 6-Axis is incredibly accurate with little to no pumping or leakage. The Citation is staying for now.

Strengths:
Analog 2-channel and Multichannel sound. Flexibility and ease of use. Beautiful

Weaknesses:
No DD/DTS.

Similar Products Used:
Proceed AVP, Lexicon MC-1, EAD, Parasound Halo C2, Lex MC-12

goldear63

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Private/Local

Summary:
Trying to keep up with technology is an endless battle...and sometimes, not always a winning one. I purchased my original 7.0 back in 1996, and while I loved it, I was eventually drawn into the digital age. Fortunately, I was lucky to take part in Madrigal's upgrade program, trading my Citation in for their new Proceed AVP. While the AVP was a wonderful piece as well, it just didn't have the analog/logic steering properties of the Citation that I had grown accustomed to. Thankfully, a local seller afforded me the oppurtunity to reaquire another Citation, which I promptly added to my system alongside my AVP. On my further quest for a one-box solution to the digital/analog problem, I have gone through a number of quality preamp processors. Eventually dumping the AVP, I tried out an EAD, Lexicon MC-1, a recently disposed of Parasound Halo C2...and now, a Lexicon MC-12 that sits on my shelf, next to my Citation. Through all my ventures, including my time with the MC-12, I've discovered that there is little out there than can match the Citation for 2-channel analog music or even analog surround sound. While the discrete formats are also great..and sound fantastic on my Lexicon, I still prefer Redbook CD on the Citation While I often choose DD/DTS for movies over most matrix devices, 6-Axis still shines on those sources that have weak or poor recordings...including a lot of older movies that have been remastered in so-called 5.1. With the advent of DPLII(x) and the legacy of Logic-7, there are obviously other choices as well...but in my opinion, with the analog flexibility and stability of 6-Axis, it is still one of the best available. Its ability to extract and resolve low-frequency without sounding bloated is remarkable. Not to metion the pristine mids and highs presented in great detail. And unlike other matrices that still suffer from complicated recordings, 6-Axis is incredibly accurate with little to no pumping or leakage. The Citation is staying for now.

Strengths:
Analog 2-channel and Multichannel sound. Flexibility and ease of use. Beautiful

Weaknesses:
No DD/DTS.

Similar Products Used:
Proceed AVP, Lexicon MC-1, EAD, Parasound Halo C2, Lex MC-12

Summary:
After ALOT of preamp/processors which drove my wife crazy, I finally settled on the Citation 7.0. I had the opportunity to go with the Citation 5.0 (newer model) but it had a few bugs in the firmware and processing. (seems like when they try to improve on something, something else breaks down huh?) I even called madrigal on this, and they told me to stick with the older 7.0 because of the mentioned bugs. In terms of the processing, I thought the analog steering logic was much faster than anything else out there.

In terms of musical smoothness and spatial finess it was even better than the EAD which is a really good unit itself. It drives my planar speakers really well.

In terms of HT, this thing is more accurate than the Lexicon models I tried.

I do not normally give anything 5 stars, but since I got this unit directly from Madrigal I got it at a fire sale.

The only knock is that for HT, it does not have DTS or DD. I upgraded the unit with the MSB 5.1 input and connect it directly to my EAD theatermaster DVD player with good results.

My system includes:

Preamp/processor- citation 7.0
Amps- Bryston 6BST & Bryston 4BST
front speakers- Bohlender Grabner 520dx
rear speakers- Citation 7.3
center speakers- bohlender grabner 220dx
subwoofer for music- rel stadium 3
sub for HT- sunfire signature

Strengths:
6-axis surround processing. Better than logic7, nemo, and circle IMHO.

Weaknesses:
No DTS or DD

Similar Products Used:
Lexicon DC2, Chiro 802, EAD Encore, other mid/high end processors

Summary:
I have never auditioned the 7.0 prior to purchase but own the Citation 7.1 amplifier which I believed game me an indication of the quality products that Madrigal Labs was capable of producing. The unit that I purchased is a late producton model with the 3.5 software version, in mint condition.

I truly was not prepared of the outstanding analog sound reproduction the 7.0 was capable of as it is an AV controller. This is one awesome piece of equipment in the music department, IMHO. Its music audio performance is much, much better than the Creek OBH-12 passive which I believed was very good in this regard. Amazing what an extra 250 bucks can buy.:) The 7.0 also offers tons of inptus and outputs, it's highly flexible, has a well laid out remote and looks amazing with my Citation 7.1 amplifier.

On HT, six axis is no slouch when compared to my H/K AV receiver connected via its direct channel inputs using the onboard DD/DTS decoders of my DVD player. On TV broadcasts and VHS material, it walks all over Dolby Pro Logic. If need be and this is a big IF, the five channel inputs can always be added at a cost of approx. $300.00 which would bring it up to date.

Initially, I was not going to add this review as the others accurately describe the performance capability of the 7.0. However, I have rarely been as impressed with a piece of audio gear at a reasonable price. The Citation 7.0 is such a unit and believe that it deserves my $0.02.

An easy five stars plus product given its outstanding audio and video performance, flexibility and the very reasonable price which one can currently be purchased for.

Enjoy!

Strengths:
Analog is outstanding. Looks, build quality and six axis. Incredible bargain ant current prices.

Weaknesses:
Lack of 5.1 channel inputs.

Similar Products Used:
H/K AVR 80II as pre/pro, Creek OBH-12 passive and have auditioned a number of preamps and pre/pros.

Price Paid:  $2900.00 from Sound Hounds

Summary:
I have own this unit for 5 years and I haven't found a product that has truly surpassed it in sound quality. I think that 6 channel axis is a better sounding mode than DD or Dts, the sound is more natural and involving. You don't get the same type of separation in the bass and rear channels as DD and Dts,but with stereo subs and side speakers, which most products don't have fills that gap with ease. It is truly outstanding in the stereo mode, its sound stage is second to none in its price range and it is completely analogue. This means you won't get harsh sound on audio and video tapes, that happens with some units out there. The other units I listened to in my system are excellent units and if I had to have DD and Dts I would certainly buy one of the units I listen to,but none were as much fun to listen to as my Citation. If you can find one used by all means buy it you won't be disappointed.

Strengths:
Six Channel Axis, Excellent two channel stereo

Weaknesses:
No DD upgrade

Similar Products Used:
Theta Casablanca, Proceed PAV, and Classe.