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Kenwood KA-5700 or KA-6100?

thedelihaus

thedelihaus

Nocturnal transmissions
My brother-in-law is looking to get into hi-fi thanks to my growing collection. I've started by giving him a BPC-era Pioneer mated to 90's JVCs that actually sounded pretty good (but not phenomenal or even great).

He initially showed interest in Sansui, but is now eyeing my KA-5700.

I was thinking of getting a KA-6100 anyhoo, but if one cannot be found for a reasonable price, I may give him one of my KA-5700s (one is working, one is currently dead) and replace it, or just get a KA-5700 outright for him.

My question- is the 6100 that much better than a 5700? I think the 5700 is a single power unit and the 6100 is a dual. There's also a switch for changing the meter readings, and one other switch- either a filter or mute I believe. Also it's 10wpc more.

I'm just wondiering if the sound is that much improved between a 5700 and 6100.

I do own a 7100 (and will own a second in a wooden case from a fellow AKer soon), I just can't a/b anything as most stuff is in storage while some work goes on around the household here.
 
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Keep the 7100. Give away the 5700. Don't get the 6100, you'll soon have two 7100s. Save up and get something better than the two 7100s you will soon have.

I have a 7100, it says it has "dual power", but it still has one transformer. I would expect the same of the 6100.
 
Squidward, I heard of this approach Kenwood took with the 7100 and 6100 (possibly the 8100/9100 too?).

Seems there's one transformer that feeds into two distinct power stages- just not sure what they may be, as I'm not too technical.

I wish I could get my hands on my 5700 to tear it open and have a look inside.
 
There are two sets of secondary windings in that single power transformer 'shell', and two separate sets of power supplies. Kenwood just scrimped on the extra hunk of iron that the h/k 'twin power' receivers of the same era offered. Later, h/k went to dual secondaries, too, I believe.

EDIT: Well, you can sorta see the inside of a (particularly dirty) KA-5700 in this picture I took of a basket case example I had for a while:
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Thanks, Strawman. If you get around to it, and have the spare time, that would be great. If not, I can wait to crack mine open.

either way, thanks! :thmbsp:
 
No problem, mine is pretty accessible. just need to make some room on the card for the camera, set up some stage lighting, hire some models, etc. :D
I picked up a 7100 from Squidward at the fest, still haven't decided anything for it yet. :banana: Dinner's about done, so I'll put on tomorrow's list. Anything in particular, or just some nudies?
Steve
 
I've got two 7100s. One off an original owner (with 7500 tuner and both original boxes), and one from Brian, AKA "Brainsmasher, in wood case. A looker for sure.

Interior nudies would be appreciated! That's all. Thanks!
 
I had the pleasure of meeting Brainsmasher at the fest, and liberating Squidward of that 7100. A wood case sounds cool. I did a quick and dirty search, and the wood panels were options with different part #'s for the top and sides. Is this correct? Can I persuade you to put up a few pics of the "full dressed version"? :yes:
 
Urizen said:
My KA-5700 arrives Friday. I'll post some pics. :thmbsp:
Click to expand...
Man, I was worried about digging up a thread from a month ago, now I need to race you to post nudie pics? :D
 
Strawman said:
Man, I was worried about digging up a thread from a month ago, now I need to race you to post nudie pics? :D
Click to expand...

Nah, I'd rather walk. Btw, how do you like the sound of the 5700?

Regards,

Ken
 
Strawman said:
I had the pleasure of meeting Brainsmasher at the fest, and liberating Squidward of that 7100. A wood case sounds cool. I did a quick and dirty search, and the wood panels were options with different part #'s for the top and sides. Is this correct? Can I persuade you to put up a few pics of the "full dressed version"? :yes:
Click to expand...

The wood panel is a stunner. I'll post pics, but it won't do it justice. Now, I either gotta get rid of my wood cabinet and replace it with a metal one to match my other 7100 or vise-versa. It's too odd to see 'em next to each other, one dressed like a prince, the other, a pauper. I like synergy!

As for the panels, as far as i know, and I'm quite sure I'm right, options were either:

Aluminum rack handles (very rare)

Wood panel sides (strictly sides only, and pretty rare), or

Wood case (fully inclosed pretty rare to very rare).

The 7100 is a great amp. You'll like it. a warm, darker sound than my Marantz 1060s and Sansui 317s.
 
Urizen said:
Nah, I'd rather walk. Btw, how do you like the sound of the 5700?

Regards,

Ken
Click to expand...

I've got two 5700s as well as tho 7100s. Like the 7100, it is a great amp. You'll like it. A warm, darker sound than my Marantz 1060s and Sansui 317s. And not a bad thing.

It's great fun to watch those meters bounce, too. :thmbsp:
 
I think it's got a nice, warm sound. As long as you're not trying to reach concert level volumes. It's a nice little amp.
 
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Here's a pic of the 7100 in that wood cabinet, strawman. If I do decide to go to metal, as to match the other 7100 I have, maybe we could work out a really great deal. I was originally thinking If someone covered shipping I'd have swapped cases (metal for wood) without a second thought, as I'm not usually a fan of wood cases (prfer wood sides instead), but the case is so nice I'm worried I'd regret it terribly later on...

The light off the front from the flash is making it look like the case is marked up or a bit rough. In all actuality, the case is in very very good condition, and looks stunning in person. The picture doesn't do it justice.
 

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