Kenwood KA-7100 Integrated amp, a good one?

Smaug

Smaug

Super Member
http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/kenwood/ka-7100.shtml

I've got a line on one of these + a Project/One turntable and vintage Sansui SP-200, 5-way speakers for $200.

Sound like a good idea?

The amp, @ 60 W/ ch... I'm not sure if it's really an upgrade to my modern 95 W/ch Sony receiver. (see sig below)

The speakers, are they anything special?

I've been reading here how a good integrated amp is a huge upgrade from an AV receiver. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around why and whether I could hear the difference.
 
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Have a KA-7300 and it will be a cold day in he!! before I let go of it.

It's like a work of art inside that thing.

Dual power supplies,nice big cans,nice layout,just gotta love it.

Plus that big 'ol shiny volume knob smack dab in the middle of it.

Added the D7 handles and it looks even better yet.

I paid that much for just my KA-7300 itself.
Add a C note for the D7 handles.
That all = priceless.

JMHO of course.

Oh,and it sounds really good too,the pre-amp section is top notch.

Dunno anything 'bout the other stuff though...

Bret P.
 
Great amp, but it will need a refurb after 40 years. The speakers are nothing special, but if all the drivers work, you can flip 'em.
I'd angle for a little better deal. Dollars and Sense may have been a better place for your question.
 
The KA-7100 is indeed an excellent sounding integrated. But if you really want the best,then it's gotta be a Kenwood KA-907 or Model 600. Personally,I'd ask the seller if it were possible to buy just the amp alone at a lower price (doesn't hurt to ask).
 
Purchased a KA-7100 new back in 1978ish, great amplifier I wish I never sold. Missed it so much I replaced it with a KA-7300 a couple of yrs ago. The 7100's usually go for about $170ish on eBay so take that for what it's worth.

Both are sweet sounding, the major advantage to the 7300 are the included pre outs and main ins, just so much more flexible. Then again the 7100's discrete output design does make for easier refurbishment if required. My 7300 operated as new, just because it's old doesn't necessarily mean it's decrepit.

As for looks, both real stunners.
 
I owned one back in the day, and it definitely falls into the category of "I wish I never sold it". I added one along with a set of JBLs to a Marantz 2230B setup I had back in the day and it kicked ass, and for not much money back then.

Those Sansui's have terrible bass response and the mid range drivers and tweeters are pretty low quality. Here in Houston, they are always in the pawn shops, on Craiglist and at the Goodwill stores at prices in about that same price range. If you really want to bring out the best in that amp, I would suggest spending a few hundred more, if you want vintage there are great deals out there on Pioneer HPMs
 
Had one as a daily driver quite a while back... moved up to the Model 500 & 600.

Excellent stepping stone and well worth the price of admission!

As mentioned above, I'd inquire about the amp and table.
 
Missed the KA-7100 from my college days so much I bought and refurbed one a couple of years ago. Beautiful amp, easy to service, and sounds great.
 
Those Kenwoods are nice sounding for the money. I have a KA-7300 (supposedly equipped with one of the better pre-amps Kenwood made? And the dual transformers mentioned above and 4 x 10,000 mf caps, two for each supply.) UNFORTUNATELY, no one seems to be able to diagnose what is wrong with it. I had it in the shop and it worked for the tech every time. Brought it home and each day it would take longer and longer for the relays to kick in till they wouldn't engage at all. My tech claims nothing is wrong and I've asked for help from some on this site but no go here either? So I have a dust bunny unit sitting in my bathroom closet. Guess it will sit there till I get retrained as a solid state Physics Engineer, which is NOT going to happen. lol

But boy did it sound fantastic on some Polk Monitor 7s when it did work!

Good Luck. The STK amp modules on these usually drop out around now or earlier! And I hear it is hard to find "replacements"!
 
cnh2 said:
Those Kenwoods are nice sounding for the money. I have a KA-7300 (supposedly equipped with one of the better pre-amps Kenwood made? And the dual transformers mentioned above and 4 x 10,000 mf caps, two for each supply.) UNFORTUNATELY, no one seems to be able to diagnose what is wrong with it. I had it in the shop and it worked for the tech every time. Brought it home and each day it would take longer and longer for the relays to kick in till they wouldn't engage at all. My tech claims nothing is wrong and I've asked for help from some on this site but no go here either? So I have a dust bunny unit sitting in my bathroom closet. Guess it will sit there till I get retrained as a solid state Physics Engineer, which is NOT going to happen. lol

But boy did it sound fantastic on some Polk Monitor 7s when it did work!

Good Luck. The STK amp modules on these usually drop out around now or earlier! And I hear it is hard to find "replacements"!
Click to expand...

The relay problem you describe shouldn't be that difficult to diagnose/fix. Can you link to the thread where you asked for help? Do you have the Service Manual for your KA-7300?
 
In the KA-7100, it's a single transistor that drives the relay. Common failure. I can't believe the KA-7300 could be much more complex.
 
Smaug said:
http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/kenwood/ka-7100.shtml

I've got a line on one of these + a Project/One turntable and vintage Sansui SP-200, 5-way speakers for $200.

Sound like a good idea?

The amp, @ 60 W/ ch... I'm not sure if it's really an upgrade to my modern 95 W/ch Sony receiver. (see sig below)

The speakers, are they anything special?

I've been reading here how a good integrated amp is a huge upgrade from an AV receiver. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around why and whether I could hear the difference.
Click to expand...
Even though I also have a marantz model 30 I still love to listen to my fathers old 7300. I love the sound of it even compared to the newer marantz. Never had an issue with it and does not run hot like others I have read about.
 
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