I love my Kennies, er, I mean my Trios.
They've never failed me yet - from my lower model KA 5300 (40 watts/ch, it's similar to a KA 3500, I think), the KA 7300 (65 watts/ch of clean and powerful sound), to the mighty KA 7700D (Japanese version of the KA 9100) - they still continue to amaze me with the music I listen through them.
A couple of months ago I bought a Yamaha CA 800 II (50 watt/ch), maybe to experience a different kind of amp and the particular sound associated with it. Although it has a special sound of its own and has a Class A mode switch and all together I like the amp a lot too - I still prefer the Kenwood sound.
I've tried all amps with my Sony CDP 311 and my vintage Pioneer CS-F 45 floorstanders and all amps sounded pretty good but the CA 800II is a tad on the bright side and somewhat thin-sounding.
No offense to the Yammie fans out there. I still listen to the Yamaha, it brings out the detail in the recordings but maybe I prefer the clean, fat sound of the Kennies.
Just recently, I acquired a set of NOS Wharfedale Diamond 9.5s and again ran all my amps through them with the same source and in my opinion, the Trios sounded way better than the Yamaha. The KA 7700D and the KA 5300 sounded the best through them.
Of course, the KA 7700D (KA 9100) is more powerful than the Yammy so there was no contest there.
Btw, all amps were checked for offset and all were within specs but the 7700D and the Yammy were adjusted to zero by me as they have pots for adjustments.
As I have no other amps to compare the Kenwoods with but only the Yamaha CA 800 II, I might as well add here that as far as build quality is concerned, I can say that my Kenwood amps trump the Yamaha. I find the knobs on my CA 800 II on the tiny side, look like plastic, and placed so closely together and also the thin toggles have a wiggly feel to them. Even my lowly KA 5300 have a much bigger knobs and thick, sturdy toggles and a much thicker and massive faceplate than the Yammy.
And as to the insides, I find the Yammy has cramped innards and a busy look. The KA 7300 which I think comes close within the specs of the CA 800 II - and even with its dual transformers - has a very clean and airy look once you open it up.
And having said that, I think that it all boils down to personal preference and btw, all are great amps because they won't be here and still playing great music if they weren't, right?
So, why Kenwood? I think I have counted the ways.