Kenwood KR-5030. Worth Restoration?

[Dudeman7]

Got a Kenwood KR-5030 that has a busted power switch. Everything else works and it sounds really nice.

The unit has to be unplugged to shut it off and it looks like someone replaced the original 2-prong power cord with a 3-prong grounded cord. They used wire nuts and as we all know, that is the benchmark of a master tech.

I assume that other things were messed with too, but it DOES work and sound good. In your opinion, is the KR-5030 worth the time, cost and effort of a proper restoration?

 

[sregor]

Attached is info on rebuilding the Kenwood Alps switches.
Most people rebuild the switch, then install a triac switch as in this article. The triac switch will keeps the regular switch from handling too much current, and is the preferred treatment of these receivers. Search and you will find many threads about repairing the switch and installing the triac. It involves taking the two power leads off the switch, connecting to correct pins on triac, then connecting 2 wires to the switch going to the triac, and mounting triac in a convenient location.

Is your unobtainium power switch worth $5 and an hour or so of your time?

I finally got around to trying a Triac to turn on and off an amp and it was a success. I am still looking for the down side of this mod. This mod should work on any amp and the power switch load will be reduced to around 120 ma and no arcing. The power switch will now last longer that you...

www.audiokarma.org

 

[Dudeman7]

Excellent! Thank you very much for that. I may look into that even if I don't get into a complete restoration on this receiver.

I am thinking that whoever did the power cord replacement did it the way they did to bypass that part of the switch. Probably just turned it on and off with a power strip or something.

The thing is, I have read that people seem to like the way these old Kenwoods sound but also that they were not exactly super well-built and not worth much on the used gear market.

Guess I need to decide if I am keeping it or moving it along before I will know how far to dig into it.

Do you have any opinions about the build or sound quality of the KR-5030?

 

[rickl]

you might want to look to see if your switch has a spare switch contacts. some Kenwoods didn't use both.

I'm not familiar with the 5030 so I'd look. post pics if you are unsure (or use the Search button and look what others have done).

 

[Dudeman7]

Over the weekend I decided to check out this Kenwood a little further. The previous owner said everything worked except for the power switch. The switch had been bypassed and it was hardwired to be always on. They just unplugged the unit when not in use.

Anyway, I plugged it in and within about 20 seconds white smoke began pouring out of the top. I quickly unplugged it and after popping the cover off, I located a pair of resistors on the "Tone Board" that were black and charred looking.

Now, I was already on the fence regarding fixing this unit up and after this happened, I'm inclined to abandon ship.

I looked at what these receivers sell for and it doesn't seem like it would be easy to recoup the associated repair costs if I went forward with fixing it.

Am I wrong in wanting to give up on this thing? Are they good enough units to justify losing time and money on?

 

[turnitup]

There’s a fair amount of documentation/troubleshooting on this board for the KR-5030. If you haven’t already done so, it might be worth perusing? Who knows, it might be an easy fix (or equally, it might not be)!?!

Nice little receiver, but as you have said, the ROI probably is not there for a “professional” repair. Let us know what you decide/do! Good luck. I’m pulling for you to bring it back to life!

 

[Dudeman7]

There’s a fair amount of documentation/troubleshooting on this board for the KR-5030. If you haven’t already done so, it might be worth perusing? Who knows, it might be an easy fix (or equally, it might not be)!?!

Nice little receiver, but as you have said, the ROI probably is not there for a “professional” repair. Let us know what you decide/do! Good luck. I’m pulling for you to bring it back to life!

Thanks for your insight. I can't remember a time when I was so firmly on the fence regarding repairs of stereo gear. Haha!

I read through the threads here after doing a search and there really is a good deal of information on the KR-5030. Most people seem to have power switch issues like me and I'm glad that there is a reliable and safe workaround for that particular problem.

Just can't help but think that this is going to be a costly and time consuming can of worms. Part of my hesitation comes from not being very familiar with Kenwood gear and the associated market for their stuff. When I first got into vintage stereo gear, I started with Marantz and never deviated too far from there. The little I have heard about Kenwood is largely positive but it certainly isn't as revered or as expensive as the Marantz gear I come across.

Anyway, I don't have to decide right away and I don't have any money tied up with this KR-5030. Still in the soul searching and gathering information stage.

 

[turnitup]

Thanks for your insight. I can't remember a time when I was so firmly on the fence regarding repairs of stereo gear. Haha!

I read through the threads here after doing a search and there really is a good deal of information on the KR-5030. Most people seem to have power switch issues like me and I'm glad that there is a reliable and safe workaround for that particular problem.

Just can't help but think that this is going to be a costly and time consuming can of worms. Part of my hesitation comes from not being very familiar with Kenwood gear and the associated market for their stuff. When I first got into vintage stereo gear, I started with Marantz and never deviated too far from there. The little I have heard about Kenwood is largely positive but it certainly isn't as revered or as expensive as the Marantz gear I come across.

Anyway, I don't have to decide right away and I don't have any money tied up with this KR-5030. Still in the soul searching and gathering information stage.

You can do like me, and just put it in “dry dock” (as long as you have the space) to possibly be dealt with at a later date or mindset! For now, these vintage units still seem to be modestly appreciating in value. Kenwood‘s (I’ve never fully understood why) just don’t seem to carry their value as well as Marantz, Pioneer, or Sansui, or some others, but in my collection and history with them, seem to be incredibly well built - and performance wise, hold up to the best (in their peer group). I have little doubt that upon restoration, you’d have a very nice, long lasting little receiver that would perform incredibly well for years to come.

If you compare this model with anything being built today, I’m sure that its build quality would leave modern competitors in the dust, and would cost significantly more for equal build quality. That being said, it IS a mid-level vintage Kenwood, and if you are looking at current ROI over really using it in your collection over the long term, the value might not be there? Tough decision, I get it. Sure is a little beauty though! Spinning that tuner dial on a Kenwood is a clincher - they built great quality tuners, with their early years (Trio brand for the most part) focused on high quality Ham/military radios during the war years (and beyond) in Japan. Nice rebuild, and new lights behind that beautiful tuner dial... Even if you spent slightly more than it’s worth, I bet you really wouldn‘t regret it. She’s a looker (and I’m a push-over)! Any gear of that age is becoming more and more rare on the availability spectrum too.

Dry dock, and sleep on it. That’s my 2 cents!

 

[Dudeman7]

You can do like me, and just put it in “dry dock” (as long as you have the space) to possibly be dealt with at a later date or mindset! For now, these vintage units still seem to be modestly appreciating in value. Kenwood‘s (I’ve never fully understood why) just don’t seem to carry their value as well as Marantz, Pioneer, or Sansui, or some others, but in my collection and history with them, seem to be incredibly well built - and performance wise, hold up to the best (in their peer group). I have little doubt that upon restoration, you’d have a very nice, long lasting little receiver that would perform incredibly well for years to come.

If you compare this model with anything being built today, I’m sure that its build quality would leave modern competitors in the dust, and would cost significantly more for equal build quality. That being said, it IS a mid-level vintage Kenwood, and if you are looking at current ROI over really using it in your collection over the long term, the value might not be there? Tough decision, I get it. Sure is a little beauty though! Spinning that tuner dial on a Kenwood is a clincher - they built great quality tuners, with their early years (Trio brand for the most part) focused on high quality Ham/military radios during the war years (and beyond) in Japan. Nice rebuild, and new lights behind that beautiful tuner dial... Even if you spent slightly more than it’s worth, I bet you really wouldn‘t regret it. She’s a looker (and I’m a push-over)! Any gear of that age is becoming more and more rare on the availability spectrum too.

Dry dock, and sleep on it. That’s my 2 cents!

Solid advice! Thank you. I think that’s what I will do. Since I don't have a need for it anyway, it won't hurt anything to let it hang out on a shelf in my garage for a bit.