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Kenwood tube receiver model #??

BmWr75

BmWr75

Top octave? pfffffftttttt
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I saw a white faced Kenwood tube integrated receiver model today. The owner told me is is a KX40, but Google turns up nothing but cassette decks with this designation. It had a headphone input on the far right side under a speaker on/off push button. It uses 6BQ5/EL84 power tubes. Anyone have an idea what the model # might be? And, know anything about this tube receiver's reputation?
 
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Kenwood typically used KW as their tube receiver designation, such as KW-30, KW-44, KW-55, KW-60, KW-70
 
Thanks Tinkerbelle. Based on an image search, it has to be a KW-55. Is this a desirable model from the Kenwood tube receiver line?

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If it is the KW-55 then that is a PP 6BQ5 receiver, so it should be a good sounding unit. However, these Japanese receivers have a lot of caps that need replacing, so expect to do a good amount of restoration work. I've not played with that particular receiver but here are some views from others:
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=tubediy&m=140380

The schematic is here: http://www.mcmlv.org/Archive/HiFi/KW55U.pdf

If you don't mind the work, then it should be fine; otherwise, assuming the buy-in cost is appealing, you can always use the transformers and tubes for a custom 6BQ5 amp build or to upgrade a console amp with potentially better iron.
 
I don't recall if this one has been recapped or not. It looks to be in near mint cosmetic shape though.
 
Just a heads up too.
I have heard that these old japanese kenwood receivers were prone to having the volume knob fail and taking out an opt. I know I have seen two units with bad volume knobs. They are 1 meg dual gang with a center loudness tap - also known as unobtainium.

mark
 
Sounds as though it's a KW-40. The loudness control on that model is Not part of the volume control. I recently restored one and it's an excellent sounding piece. If you do a search in the Kenwood forum, you will find a short write up about mine. As already stated, there are a lot of caps to replace but it's worth the effort. I wouldn't pass on it so quickly.
 
I bought this Kenwood KW-40 today. It has already been restored. Will post some pictures tomorrow.
 
These typically need re-alignment of the tuner and MPX sections, as well as a complete capacitor overhaul.

I spent heaven-knows how many hours restoring a Kenwood (7591) that had one bad OPT. Replaced it with a pair of Sansui 1000A OPTs, which I dare say is an improvement.
 
Jcricket said:
Just a heads up too.
I have heard that these old japanese kenwood receivers were prone to having the volume knob fail and taking out an opt. I know I have seen two units with bad volume knobs. They are 1 meg dual gang with a center loudness tap - also known as unobtainium.

mark
Click to expand...

This should be easily guarded against by a couple resistors to prevent runaway if the wiper fails. I'd have to see a schematic. Now I have to crawl down with the spiders and see if mine has a schematic with it.:para:
 
BuzzK said:
These typically need re-alignment of the tuner and MPX sections, as well as a complete capacitor overhaul.

I spent heaven-knows how many hours restoring a Kenwood (7591) that had one bad OPT. Replaced it with a pair of Sansui 1000A OPTs, which I dare say is an improvement.
Click to expand...

That would be an upgrade on just about any tube receiver that I can think of.:music:
 
frankxbe said:
There was some mention of death caps or some kind of grey capacitors in older Japanese tubed
receivers . IRRC. I read they had a tendency to explode don,t know if the Kenwoods were mentioned
here one thread has to do with a Pioneer tube set and Suzuki branded lytics
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25344
Click to expand...

Yeh, it's the grey oil ones, and they puke.:puke: Literally millions of them in a receiver (well, there's a bunch of them).
 
BuzzK said:
These typically need re-alignment of the tuner and MPX sections, as well as a complete capacitor overhaul.
Click to expand...

Already done by the local Pittsburgh tube guru. :banana:

Retubed too.....but I'm going to have to see what that means. Will list what I find tomorrow.
 
jaymanaa said:
This should be easily guarded against by a couple resistors to prevent runaway if the wiper fails. I'd have to see a schematic. Now I have to crawl down with the spiders and see if mine has a schematic with it.:para:
Click to expand...

I got the schematic with it. Will see if I can scan it tomorrow and post it.
 
Its definently a kw55. I have one just like it. I used some never dull to clean up the face and the letters started to fade so I took a little care not to clean so thuroughly. I have manuals and schematics for this model if needed. Mines rebuilt but the output tubes are running a little hot. I still have some work to do.
 
doggonegood said:
Its definently a kw55. I have one just like it. I used some never dull to clean up the face and the letters started to fade so I took a little care not to clean so thuroughly. I have manuals and schematics for this model if needed. Mines rebuilt but the output tubes are running a little hot. I still have some work to do.
Click to expand...

It ended up being a KW-40. More info and pictures are here:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=395575
 
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