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KA-9100 Lower than expected volume

R

rjp1965

New Member
Hello. I'm hoping someone can give me some advice / information. I have a Kenwood KA-9100 amplifier. It works perfectly fine except for not putting out as much volume / power as I would expect. For example, a small 38 watt Akai receiver I have will produce as much volume at about half the volume setting as the KA-9100 does using the same speakers for comparison. Otherwise it sounds perfectly good.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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Ok, this might be stupid, but there is a gain switch on the front. Is this in the correct position?
 
Also, how are you judging volume output? Just by the position of the volume knob? That can vary from amp to amp. Don't go by that. On my KA-9100 I can play so the meters will be bouncing up to about the 100W mark (with the meter switch on the 100W setting)

If that isn't loud enough for you, then there is definitely something wrong. It gets loud enough to hear from over a block away on my system. That's with closed doors and windows.
 
Almonds said:
Also, how are you judging volume output? Just by the position of the volume knob? That can vary from amp to amp. Don't go by that. On my KA-9100 I can play so the meters will be bouncing up to about the 100W mark (with the meter switch on the 100W setting)

If that isn't loud enough for you, then there is definitely something wrong. It gets loud enough to hear from over a block away on my system. That's with closed doors and windows.
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This^^^^^^ volume knobs are not necessarily linear, and this is by design and a good thing.
 
Yeah, volume position is poor indicator of relative power between units. As I was searching for a new tube preamp, I stumbled across this on the Glassware site. It fits in with the relative volume control position thing.

...While this extra gain impresses the audio neophyte who marvels at the power implicit in the distorted thunder that a mere one quarter twist of the volume knob provokes, it ultimately only subtracts from the useful range of turn on the volume and usually only worsens the signal-to-noise ratio of the line stage. ...
Click to expand...
 
Almonds said:
Also, how are you judging volume output? Just by the position of the volume knob? That can vary from amp to amp. Don't go by that. On my KA-9100 I can play so the meters will be bouncing up to about the 100W mark (with the meter switch on the 100W setting)

If that isn't loud enough for you, then there is definitely something wrong. It gets loud enough to hear from over a block away on my system. That's with closed doors and windows.
Click to expand...

I understand that volume setting isn't the best indicator of power output. I simply can't imagine that an amp with the power of the KA-9100 would be designed to put out so little at 50% volume. I can crank the volume up past 50% and it gets loud, but it just doesn't seem "normal" based on every other system I've owned.
 
I'd say something is wrong then. My KA-9100 is pretty much unlistenable at 12 o'clock volume. I mean you can handle it for a song or two, but then you'll be having ringing ears for the next 12 hours. Unless your room is huge, like bigger than 30 foot walls or you're throwing a huge loud party. Also, maybe it's possible you have really inefficient speakers, but you're comparing it to other systems, so I am assuming you're comparing apples to apples.

So, like I said, I think something is wrong with your integrated.

Do this experiment:

1) put the meter setting on 100w
2) crank the volume until the needle hits let's say 75w at the peaks.
3) is that loud? If not, or if it doesn't even get to that level, then something is wrong.
4) don't pay attention to where the knob is, just go by the watt meter. (and listen for distortion along the way of course, so as not to blow the speakers)
 
I'm using a pair of Kenwood 777s for the comparison. I did the test and I can get it to bounce both meters to around 75 with the volume turned all the way to 100%. It gets good and loud to say the least.

Maybe what I'm seeing is normal for this amp. I just didn't have another one to reference against and didn't want to cause any damage if there was a problem. I appreciate all of the help and responses.
 
Also if the source is lower than normal the output will reduce accordingly.
I've also ran across one that the attenuater switch was dirty and was cutting off the out put.
My .02.

John
 
It seems to me something could be wrong. There's no way I can turn my amp to 100%. If I did, the meters would be pegged all the way to the right for sure. I can go one notch past 12 o'clock tops, and then it's too loud to be in the same room as them. Your speakers say they are 102db sensitivity which is really efficient! Mine are 93db I think, so you should be getting louder than me even earlier on the volume knob.

I would take it in to someone, or if you know your electronics, try to diagnose it yourself. This amp is a beast, and it sounds beautiful even at low volumes. Mine barely has to work at all to sound great at quiet or blaring levels.

One thing to try is to (while the power is off) twist all the knobs back and forth many times. Flick all the switches. Move the selector knobs. Basically use all the controls from one side to the other. My vintage kenwoods (I have 2) get crackly and the selector can kinda get stuck halfway, so the sound can be distorted or muted. DeOxit should help with this, but sometimes just twisting them helps. I live by the ocean and I have this problem every few months because of the salty air.

Another thing to try.
Plug your source (if it isn't phono) into another input. Then you can determine if maybe that input is quiet for some reason. So, for example, if you're using an iphone into an aux input, try it in the tuner input instead.
 
I've tested with three different sources. Two turntables and a cd player. As you may guess the cd produces the most volume.

I used deoxit on all of the switches and knobs when I got it home and they all seem to be functioning normally.

I agree with the suggestion to take it to a tech and have it checked out. Hopefully, it's something simple. I've heard such good things about this amp and I was really happy to get it. The sound quality seems really good and maybe it will be even better with the tech resolving whatever the issue may be. I'm looking forward to finding out.
 
Good luck with it!

I really enjoy mine. I love the meters, and I love the power. I think it's gorgeous too.
Keep us posted!
 
If you have a variable volume source (CD player?), try connecting it directly to ''power amp IN''. Carefull! do this with the source's volume all the way down at first!. If it gets louder this way, pre-amp or pot/switch problem...
 
try cleaning the normal/separate switch on the back
or use a set of jumpers for pre and amp
 
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