Kenwood Kd-750 vs Sansui SR-737 and MCS 6700

[Dan13105]

How much of a step up is the Kenwood Kd-750 over the Sansui Sr-737 or the MCS 6700 I currently own? Specs wise they seem similar as far as wow and flutter, the Kenwood is .022%, and the Sansui and MCS are .03%. Kenwood -74db, Sansui ->70db, MCS -73db. The weight and looks advantage on the Kenwood is pretty big however. Advertised at 17.6kg vs 10.6kg for the Sansui and 8.1kg for the MCS. I listen to 85% vinyl, 5% cd, 10% streaming, mostly in the car. The rest of the current setup is a Rotel RX-602 acting as a preamp, feeling into a JBL 6290 amp, with Acoustat Spectra 1100 speakers. I will be using my current VM95ML cartridge with It. Is the quality of the Kenwood worth a substantial step up in price?

 

[Sgt Shultz]

How much of a step up is the Kenwood Kd-750 over the Sansui Sr-737 or the MCS 6700 I currently own? Specs wise they seem similar as far as wow and flutter, the Kenwood is .022%, and the Sansui and MCS are .03%. Kenwood -74db, Sansui ->70db, MCS -73db. The weight and looks advantage on the Kenwood is pretty big however. Advertised at 17.6kg vs 10.6kg for the Sansui and 8.1kg for the MCS. I listen to 85% vinyl, 5% cd, 10% streaming, mostly in the car. The rest of the current setup is a Rotel RX-602 acting as a preamp, feeling into a JBL 6290 amp, with Acoustat Spectra 1100 speakers. I will be using my current VM95ML cartridge with It. Is the quality of the Kenwood worth a substantial step up in price?

This came after the KD-500 and 600 sort of as an interim model before the new line starting with the 770D.

Some put this ahead of the 770D it's that great, I have the 770D and it's phenomenal so if that's actually the case then it's really something special. But keep in mind I have no personal experience with the 750.

I also have a KD-500 so I'm a Kenny fan so maybe a bit biased? lol

 

[Dan13105]

This came after the KD-500 and 600 sort of as an interim model before the new line starting with the 770D.

Some put this ahead of the 770D it's that great, I have the 770D and it's phenomenal so if that's actually the case then it's really something special. But keep in mind I have no personal experience with the 750.

I also have a KD-500 so I'm a Kenny fan so maybe a bit biased? lol

Thanks. It certainly looks great. If I get this, I'm planning on ot being a forever table kind of deal. It definitely seems like a very nice table, and is the first one I've seen. I was watching for a SL-1200 to come up for a decent price, but this Kenwood seems pretty well built as well, and is definitely better looking. I've messaged the seller with some basic questions like what shape are the feet in, does it have original headshell included(no cartridge), and does it hold correct speed. We'll see if I get a response

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Thanks. It certainly looks great. If I get this, I'm planning on ot being a forever table kind of deal. It definitely seems like a very nice table, and is the first one I've seen. I was watching for a SL-1200 to come up for a decent price, but this Kenwood seems pretty well built as well, and is definitely better looking. I've messaged the seller with some basic questions like what shape are the feet in, does it have original headshell included(no cartridge), and does it hold correct speed. We'll see if I get a response

The SL-1200MKII isn't in the same league, had one here for a few weeks and sold it on.

 

[Dan13105]

The SL-1200MKII isn't in the same league, had one here for a few weeks and sold it on.

I've never used either personally, but it seems a lot of people really like the 1200. It definitely meets my usual criteria, big heavy, and way overbuilt for what I probably need. The Kenwood does all of the above, and looks way better

 

[Sgt Shultz]

I've never used either personally, but it seems a lot of people really like the 1200. It definitely meets my usual criteria, big heavy, and way overbuilt for what I probably need. The Kenwood does all of the above, and looks way better

Many people think Bose makes the best gear out there too.....

The SL-1200 is a small compact table compared with it's contemporaries from Kenny of the era.

Notice the size of the Platter on the KD-770D, and its the baby of this line of audiophile tables from Kenwood. And here's the great part, because it's not the "SL-1200" it can be found on the used market for considerably less money .

 

[Dan13105]

Many people think Bose makes the best gear out there too.....

The SL-1200 is a small compact table that looks like a toy sitting next to the much larger decks from Kenny.

Notice the size of the Platter on the KD-770D
View attachment 3150396

Direct rivals

SL-1200 dimensions
Dimensions: 453 x 366 x 180mm (mk1), 453 x 360 x 162mm (mk2)

Weight: 10kg (mk1), 12.5kg (mk2)

KD-500 dimensions
Dimensions: 502 x 382 x 162mm

Weight: 15.5kg

That turntable looks great as well. This is the one I'm trying to get. It has a massive platter as well. The KD-750 platter is listed as 2.6kg, and the Technics SL-1200MKII is shown at 1.7. That is a pretty substantial difference. As far as recognizing good from great gear I'm still learning. I don't know of the more obscure gear from the 70s. Honestly I wasn't aware that kenwood made decks of this caliber, until I saw the ad for this one. I'll admit to bias, by the time I was around (the bpc era) Kenwood was more known for car audio, and affordable home all in one systems, not things like this. I haven't actually owned anything 70s kenwood yet, though I am keeping my eye out for some of their dual mono integrated amplifiers

 

[Sgt Shultz]

That turntable looks great as well. This is the one I'm trying to get. It has a massive platter as well. The KD-750 platter is listed as 2.6kg, and the Technics SL-1200MKII is shown at 1.7. That is a pretty substantial difference. As far as recognizing good from great gear I'm still learning. I don't know of the more obscure gear from the 70s. Honestly I wasn't aware that kenwood made decks of this caliber, until I saw the ad for this one. I'll admit to bias, by the time I was around (the bpc era) Kenwood was more known for car audio, and affordable home all in one systems, not things like this. I haven't actually owned anything 70s kenwood yet, though I am keeping my eye out for some of their dual mono integrated amplifiers

View attachment 3150408

Again, it's only the baby of the line, here's a look at some higher up the food chain.

KP-1100


What's actually hiding under that beautiful exterior


Some like to run them nude and with multiple arms




If these were being made today $$$$$

The legendary L-07D still commands over $10G on the used market

 

[Dan13105]

If these were being made today $$$$$

That is one of the main draws to vintage for me. I can try things that were extremely well made and expensive, for a relatively small investment today. I'm sure the new gear is better than the 70s stuff, but to get that same level of quality, is beyond what I'm willing to spend. The New Yamaha line looks every bit as good as the 70s stuff, but for something that compares spec wise to a CA-1010 I might pay $500 for, the new is over $6,000. I also found I like learning a new skill and fixing the stuff myself, so vintage it is for me

 

[Sgt Shultz]

@Dan13105

I admit to being a big Kenwood fan from the 70's when I purchased a KA-7100 in 1978.

About 8yrs ago the nostalgia bug bit but I needed pre out/main in which the 7100 doesn't have. With that in mind I picked up a schveet KA-7300, very nice amp that won't break the bank as something similar from the cache brands (Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer).





Makes for a nice looking silver faced stack when paired with the matching KT-7300 tuner and period correct TOTL KX-1030.



The handles were an accessory so don't expect they will be included, if so they're a $110+ value.

 

[Dan13105]

@Dan13105

I admit to being a big Kenwood fan from the 70's when I purchased a KA-7100 in 1978.

About 8yrs ago the nostalgia bug bit but I needed pre out/main in which the 7100 doesn't have. With that in mind I picked up a schveet KA-7300, very nice amp that won't break the bank as something similar from the cache brands (Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer).

View attachment 3150435

View attachment 3150436

Makes for a nice looking silver faced stack when paired with the matching KT-7300 tuner and period correct TOTL KX-1030.

View attachment 3150437

The handles were an accessory so don't expect they will be included, if so they're a $110+ value.

That is a great looking setup. Kenwood doesn't seem to show up very often around me, at least not the desirable models. I have been waiting for any of the dual mono ones to pop up for a while. Same for any of the H/K twin power. I also need pre-out main in, because the main reason of seeking a dual mono, is to pair with my dual mono poweramp to try it out. Will true dual mono all the way make a real difference? I don't know, but once again it meets my criteria of over built

 

[Sgt Shultz]

@Dan13105

The Kenwood KD-500 and the later KD-600 were sold sans arm leaving the buyer to supply their own. As such when found will be sporting one of the boutique arms of the era worth more than the asking price like the Legendary Infinity Black Widow, the Mayware Formula IV, or like mine a Grace G-707 as examples.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

That is a great looking setup. Kenwood doesn't seem to show up very often around me, at least not the desirable models. I have been waiting for any of the dual mono ones to pop up for a while. Same for any of the H/K twin power. I also need pre-out main in, because the main reason of seeking a dual mono, is to pair with my dual mono poweramp to try it out. Will true dual mono all the way make a real difference? I don't know, but once again it meets my criteria of over built

Well if connecting a power amp you're really bypassing the amplifier built into the integrated so.......

I needed the main out initially for a high end subwoofer that only accepts line input, but more recently needed them to connect an amp to drive the 3.2ohm AR58s in the bedroom system.

 

[Dan13105]

Well if connecting a power amp you're really bypassing the amplifier built into the integrated so.......

I needed the main out initially for a high end subwoofer that only accepts line input, but more recently needed them to connect an amp to drive the 3.2ohm AR58s in the bedroom system.
View attachment 3150453

True, I would be bypassing the internal amp, but the preamp section may still benefit by having seperate power supplies for left and right channels. I'm in a similar boat, I needed a powerful amp that can deal with occasional 1.2 ohm loads from my Acoustats at 20khz. Things were much simpler setup wise before I discovered the Acoustats, but I think the sound quality improvement is worth it

 

[Blue Shadow]

1977-MCS-$230
1977-737-$360
1978-KD-$510

The Kenwood is a top class table the Sansui a nice unit in their line and the MCS, more pedestrian


The Kenwood by miles in this one, specs don't matter at all in this comparison Kenwood was making great tables at this time, Sansui wasn't and never did reach for the top.