Kenwood KR 9000 GX

[Curly_Racks]

So, I just picked up one of these bad boys and have been reading all of the threads on here to educate myself.

Sounds like these pack 80 to 85 watts per channel or even more in some tests.

They were a military exclusive model and are the Euro version of the Model Nine series.

I’d love to hear stories of anyone else’s journey who recently acquired one. What steps did you take and parts did you review when first cleaning up?

From what I can see these seem more rare than the Elevens so any support or place I could find the Owners Manual or MSRP info would be awesome.


I’ve already located the Service Manual for the Nine GX.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Looks great if the timer works you have something.

 

[Curly_Racks]

Thanks guys - I will share some analysis once I have time to test it out after the Thanksgiving weekend

 

[Curly_Racks]

Starting to clean it up.

Blew out a ton of dust with the compressor now starting with some CRC then DeOxit.

 

[Curly_Racks]

So far I have done the following:
Blew out with a compressor
Cleaned the boards and pots with CRC Contact Cleaner
Cleaned and worked the pots with DeOxit D5
Cleaned switches with D5

Tested the speaker connections and volume controls. No crackling - sounds great

I plan to remove the knobs and squirt in a little CRC 226 to Re lube everything

Should I have any concerns about cleaning the copper on the bottom of the power supply? It looks a little ...discolored but then again that could be normal for copper.

Any suggestions?

 

[rickl]

Should I have any concerns about cleaning the copper on the bottom of the power supply? It looks a little ...discolored but then again that could be normal for copper.

Any suggestions?

I'd leave it along. It is 40 years old so you might need to do some maintenance in the future. Just enjoy it.

 

[Joe Kraft]

I would like to get a copy of the model nine GX service manual if you have it. I have on that I am having some issues with and need some guidance.
Thanks so much.
Joe

 

[rickl]

google is your friend

https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/kenwood/kr-9000g.shtml

 

[Curly_Racks]

Yes that is the best one I found as well.

Alex AV in New Hope MN is also a good shop for repairs but it will take about 2-3 months. I ran into issues on my left channel and they rebuilt my tone control and found an issue with the Gain being over compensated.

 

[Joe Kraft]

I found the one on Hifiengine. I get all my manuals there normally. You referred to one for a KR9000g. I have a model nine GX. They are actually different and I was trying to find the actual manual to identify the differences. Thanks

 

[rickl]

oops!

 

[oldboats]

I am not sure that there are real differences in the G/GX. My understanding is that it was just to denote military or domestic markets.
Please, someone correct me if I am wrong here - at most I would think that one might be multiple voltage, but no more.

EDIT - I stand corrected, see posts below.

 

[oldboats]

Also, that is a very pretty receiver. If you decide you are tired of cleaning it, I know a guy that could take care of that into perpetuity.

 

[Joe Kraft]

anybody have any information on possible differences from the schematic for the KR9000g. The reason I ask is that I looked at the schematic and saw that R23 and R24 are supposed to be 47 ohms and the ones on the board both measure at 119 ohms.

 

[Blue Shadow]

anybody have any information on possible differences from the schematic for the KR9000g. The reason I ask is that I looked at the schematic and saw that R23 and R24 are supposed to be 47 ohms and the ones on the board both measure at 119 ohms.

Do the ones on the board have markings so you can see what their value was when new? Did you lift a leg to get the measurement of just the resistor?

 

[Joe Kraft]

Yes, the ones on the board have color code for 120 ohm resistors. The schematic for the KR9000G calls for 47 ohm. I pulled the resistors to measure them. Currently going through the rest of the board checking each component. I am not smart enough to be able to isolate issues like so many of the AK contributors are because I don't understand the purpose of each of the circuits, so I just patiently go through every piece....not efficient but it works most of the time. Thanks for your time.

 

[larry4406]

New guy here.

I also have one of these KR-9000GX. I bought it new at a military PX in Germany around 1979/1980 and shipped it home. It sounded awesome thru the 4 Sansui speakers.

It quite working around 1989/1990 after a very bad lightening storm. The needles all still move in response to radio or input signal, the lights all still worked, but alas no sound. I put it back in the original box and it sits to this day in my basement. Never have tried to fool with it. Maybe one day. I am not an electronics guy although I did manage to replace capacitors on a PCB to bring a projection TV back to life.

 

[Joe Kraft]

I am still working on getting mine up and running but I am close. These things are quite nice when restored. Very eye catching for sure.

 

[Super Noob]

My next rebuild will be on my recent pickup = 9G. It will take me weeks as I do this for fun in my spare time on the weekends. Will document it.

Best Regards.

 

[Diesel66]

Love my 9 G and Model Eleven III