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Kenwood Basic C2 Preamplifier Restoration/Upgrade

I have always liked the Kenwood C1 and C2. I also like the Hafler DH 101. They all have their issues at 30 +/- years old but they are all pretty inexpensive and sound really nice fixed up. Are you looking at somthing you can rebuild yourself / If so these are a good way to start. Well, the Kenwood C1 would be a good start if you are in to build your first one. The Yamaha C2 is a really nice one too. It would be a bear for a someone to start out with as far as rebuilding goes though. All the ^ is my opinion though. You have some nice equipment listed in your sig. btw.
 
PabloTincho said:
I am able to pick a c-2 for $100, but you guys don’t seems very positive
Is the c-2 better than good ?
Click to expand...

I paid more for my c2. I'm hoping to put it back in the main system to see how it compares to my current system.
 
I had picked up a C2 for fair price about a year ago and it had the loudness balance board issue. I am about to purchase from DRM and was wondering if the filter boards are an issue/problematic or do most just replace the cap supplied in the kit and change the op amp with the op amp kit. Also Anyone seen issues with the rest of the diodes or other zeeners besides the power supply ? Just wondering if if is a good idea to order all the other diodes from digikey or mouser.
 
Just got done with the primary work on C2 DRM kits Re Cap loudness board , Flat amp Diff amp upgrade , Op amp upgrade , RCA connectors. Got it together and testing at first didnt sound all that good but gave it a few days to burn in. Should have got a new headphone board it has issues for sure. Will need to clean selector switch again . And should have done the relay will need to go back in to finish it up. It's been 4 or 5 days now left it on overnight a couple of days . I have to say it is sounding very good now and I am surprised at how good it sounds . In the man cave with Kappa 8's early ones and a pair of B&K amps a 4430 ,4420 4430 has bass duty 4420 has a little more definition cleaner , brighter maybe but not bright by any means. Very happy with it so far. Picked it up a year ago for about 100.00 on the bay so was too good to pass up rolled the bones. Thinking of adding a set of RCA's for a second set of pre outs. will have to drill some holes for them.
 
You have a nice setup Txsaxkat did you swap out the Tone board?. I picked up a C2 a few years back I replaced all electrolytics, opamps, tone board, relay, loudness and balance control, and some Zeners. I plan on replacing all RCA inputs to gold plated from DRM and I'm running a pair of Kappa 7.1 MKII and a pair of RSe they compliment each other and my Basic M2a
 
Have to agree @Phaceless56 @Txsaxkat with that C2 and those B&K amps has a very nice set. I am a B&K man myself. Two M 200's 2 EX 442's a Ref. 4420 and another one 1400 ser. II. Hell, I like em all! Not at all afraid to listen to them instead of the Krell.
 
Can anyone identify the part #'s, pictures or location of the "coupling caps" for the C2's main outputs?

Thanks in advance.
 
Not on top of a schematic right now but replacing the "bi polar"/" non polarized" caps that you find in there with WIMA of correct values will put you there.
 
hey bluetooth,

Basic C2 resto threads

I always wonder if updating the cartridge or turntable would also help. my west german thorens or empire 398 or Yamaha P would hold back any op amp updates. I think my maggies are the weak link in my system but I have some ideas for improving them. updating the pre is not in my plans. I did...
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