Kenwood's best power amps
- Thread starter johnnm
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
kneeOhFight
Addicted Member
I absolutely love my Kenwood Basic M2...would'nt let it go for a grand, no way
kneeOhFight
Addicted Member
ok, let me go set mine out on the curb for morning trash pickup then :scratch2:
_Attila_
Asking & asking & aski...
Forgot, not forget!
Don't be so susceptible! 
EW, you forgot the fancy looking L-08M!
redcoates7
still learning...
Wouldn't put it by the curb, as it's a nice sounding well-built amplifier, but it's no L-series.
The KM-X1, KM-X1000, KM-Z1, and MX-5000 were all pretty decent too, and often overlooked as they were part of Kewood's THX-certified home theater amplifiers. The 2 channel amps are only OK...dual power transformers and discrete outputs, but otherwise unexceptional
The big 6-channel KM-Z1 is my favorite in that series...IMO, a beautifully styled amplifier and a true monster. Well built, and very good sounding.
What's shocking to me is how many of the KM-XXX amplifiers are still out there and making great music. These were mostly designed to be part of Kenwood Spectrum-series Rack Systems, but were a huge step up quality-wise from most of the single brand systems of the day.
70salesguy
Only 99 easy payments!
Km-8002
Here's a very nice much older model.
Here's a very nice much older model.
redcoates7
still learning...
Yes, that and the very rare MA-5100 (same series as the KM-2002) which is a 4-channel amplifier that includes a three-way electronic crossover (third leg would be fed to the main integrated ampifier or the KM-2002)
Auricauricle
Active Member
My experience with Kenwood's poweramps is limited to the M2A,the M2,the L-1000M and the L-06M monoblocks.
I like the M2(a lot),but have only heard it in my system from 800Hz and below(used as Bass amp in an active speaker system).
The L-1000M(I have 2 of them),I have used as Bass and Treble amps(ie 2 of them used together)in my active speaker system.They are really nice amps.Very involving sound,loads of subtle nuances coming through.Classy,classy sound.Good Luck finding one though.They show-up(anywhere in the world)very infrequently.Don't expect to see one at your local Goodwill(or it's equivalent) for $10.
The L-06M monoblocks were one of only three Sigma Drive amps to which Kenwood applied the coveted 'L' Series nomenclature(the others being the L-02A,and the L-08M monoblocks).The L-06Ms are my favourite poweramps(that I have used in my system).Like all poweramps,they can't make a flawed signal any better than it already is(think pig's ears and silk purses),but given a really well-sorted signal they will amaze with all the things that Solid State is not supposed to do well.I feel that they must be used in their Sigma Drive mode,otherwise the magic that these amps have is lost.I'm still amazed at how good these amps sound.
The Kenwood Basic M2 gets my vote for the bargain,although the more I talk-up these amps the more the price will rise(should I shut-up about them?).
The L-06Ms are also cheap, however I've never seen a pair for sale outside of Japan.Thus the freight costs and any import taxes/duties have to be added to the cost.EW has pointed-out that getting someone to service them may be a complication also.
I like the M2(a lot),but have only heard it in my system from 800Hz and below(used as Bass amp in an active speaker system).
The L-1000M(I have 2 of them),I have used as Bass and Treble amps(ie 2 of them used together)in my active speaker system.They are really nice amps.Very involving sound,loads of subtle nuances coming through.Classy,classy sound.Good Luck finding one though.They show-up(anywhere in the world)very infrequently.Don't expect to see one at your local Goodwill(or it's equivalent) for $10.
The L-06M monoblocks were one of only three Sigma Drive amps to which Kenwood applied the coveted 'L' Series nomenclature(the others being the L-02A,and the L-08M monoblocks).The L-06Ms are my favourite poweramps(that I have used in my system).Like all poweramps,they can't make a flawed signal any better than it already is(think pig's ears and silk purses),but given a really well-sorted signal they will amaze with all the things that Solid State is not supposed to do well.I feel that they must be used in their Sigma Drive mode,otherwise the magic that these amps have is lost.I'm still amazed at how good these amps sound.
The Kenwood Basic M2 gets my vote for the bargain,although the more I talk-up these amps the more the price will rise(should I shut-up about them?).
The L-06Ms are also cheap, however I've never seen a pair for sale outside of Japan.Thus the freight costs and any import taxes/duties have to be added to the cost.EW has pointed-out that getting someone to service them may be a complication also.
Basic M2 VS KA-1100SD
I've got both the 1100SD integrated and the Basic M2 setup. (Bot the M2 after my first 1100 SD went down...I actually went nuts and picked up the entire line from that year sans the 770 turntable.)
I gotta say, my SD has got the basic beat hands down. The Basic has more power (in numbers) but the delivery is very different!
Not that the basic is a bad unit...it's actually quite good. That is, until you hook up the SD...if any of you guys have heard one or a similiar unit (990, 1100, 2200) from the early mid 80s you know.
I'm gonna try hooking up my HK Citation 21 Preamp. That may help it, maybe the weak link is the C2?
I've got both the 1100SD integrated and the Basic M2 setup. (Bot the M2 after my first 1100 SD went down...I actually went nuts and picked up the entire line from that year sans the 770 turntable.)
I gotta say, my SD has got the basic beat hands down. The Basic has more power (in numbers) but the delivery is very different!
Not that the basic is a bad unit...it's actually quite good. That is, until you hook up the SD...if any of you guys have heard one or a similiar unit (990, 1100, 2200) from the early mid 80s you know.
I'm gonna try hooking up my HK Citation 21 Preamp. That may help it, maybe the weak link is the C2?
Last edited:
tbird,
Have you used the 1100SD and the M2 in Sigma Drive configuration?
I'm certain that there was also a 3300SD.Am I mistaken(anyone)?
tensleep
Addicted Member
Kenwood KM-X1000
This one flies well under the radar. It is a very well made, good sounding amplifier. I bought mine years ago, new, from Vann's, for undeer $200 - it was my first eBay purchase with buy it now. I don't have pictures of mine - I hijacked these from the web:
You can read the specs here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3279611/ManualsMania-Kenwood-KMX1000-kmx1000pdf-Owners-Manual-English
Here is a link to a fellow AKer's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=259602
Unfortunately, mine is out of the rotation at the moment - it fell from a shelf and damaged the power switch and the metal face plate. I put it away and haven't had the heart to look at it yet. This happened a couple of months ago while rearranging some equipment.
This one flies well under the radar. It is a very well made, good sounding amplifier. I bought mine years ago, new, from Vann's, for undeer $200 - it was my first eBay purchase with buy it now. I don't have pictures of mine - I hijacked these from the web:
You can read the specs here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3279611/ManualsMania-Kenwood-KMX1000-kmx1000pdf-Owners-Manual-English
Here is a link to a fellow AKer's thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=259602
Unfortunately, mine is out of the rotation at the moment - it fell from a shelf and damaged the power switch and the metal face plate. I put it away and haven't had the heart to look at it yet. This happened a couple of months ago while rearranging some equipment.
tbird,
Whilst looking on HiFiDo today,I stumbled across a 1100SD.It does not have the Sigma Drive function.I assumed when seeing the SD in its model number that it is a Sigma Drive Kenwood.
Here's the amp on HiFiDo:
http://www.hifido.co.jp/KW/G/P0/A10/E/70-10/S0/C07-33758-03244-00/
In which case,the Basic M2 has Sigma:yes:,but not the 1100SD.
No, you're right...no sigma drive on the 1100 SD...It's Super DLD
Here's a neat Japanese site going over the differences of all the 990 1100 and 2200 series. Apparently the 3300 series wasn't made until a year later (1987?)
This covers the years 1983-86, some of the best stuff.
http://translate.google.com/transla...&prev=/search?q=Kenwood+%2B%22KA-990%22&hl=en
Here's a neat Japanese site going over the differences of all the 990 1100 and 2200 series. Apparently the 3300 series wasn't made until a year later (1987?)
This covers the years 1983-86, some of the best stuff.
http://translate.google.com/transla...&prev=/search?q=Kenwood+%2B%22KA-990%22&hl=en
Last edited:
It's almost comical.
The link you provided to the k-nisi site says in the translation that the Kenwood 1100 and the 2200 are Sigma Drive amps(note they don't mention the 1100SD or 2200SD).
Things get stranger by the minute. :scratch2:
1100 and 2200-D VS 1100 and 2200SD
I'm thinking the way I understand it, the "D" series superceded the "SD" series and some? if not all of them were Sigma equipped...does that sound logical?
I DO have a 990-D model and it is VIG-DLD equipped, but says nothing about Sigma...these were 1986 Models, vs the 1983-84 SD series. That may explain it.
I'm thinking the way I understand it, the "D" series superceded the "SD" series and some? if not all of them were Sigma equipped...does that sound logical?
I DO have a 990-D model and it is VIG-DLD equipped, but says nothing about Sigma...these were 1986 Models, vs the 1983-84 SD series. That may explain it.
