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Kenwood KR-750 vs JVC R-IX ?

illinoisteve

illinoisteve

Super Member
Okay, noobie to AK needs advice about very-budget-based vintage-ish system--

Which of the stereo receivers, named in the thread title, might be best matched to work with these other components:

* Dual 1229 turntable, with Pickering XV-15/400E cartridge (for LPs/45s) and Shure M3D cartridge (78s)

* Sony TC-WR465 Dual Cassette Deck

* EPI 100 (main speakers)
* 3-way speakers scrounged (and re-boxed) from an early solid-state Philco console stereo (mainly as alternate speakers for use with 78s and scratchiest old vinyl--low top end screens out hiss, and very W A R M middle)

The Kenwood is rather bulky and has fewer input/output options on the back and has had an intermittent channel which I think I have now narrowed down to a dirty balance pot (have both channels going now). It's weird scanning tuner seems to be working just fine (but there is no tuning knob if it fails later on).

A weird hum used to emanate from the JVC (from inside the case, but not audible over the line?!?!) for the first year or so I had it, but it finally healed itself, and has been my main receiver for most of the last three years. Very dependable, all standard knobs or switches and no automatic weirdness.

Does anyone think that one of these receivers is particularly better than the other? ( It's hard to instantly switch from one to the other to judge precisely which has better sound. ) In what ways do you think one might be better? If you can refer me to previous threads on AK (or elsewhere) about either I would be grateful (haven't found them on my own, so far).

Thanks!
 
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I own two KR-750's, both of which I picked-up for relatively cheap. The first Kenwood was very cheap and very dirty inside (incredibly dirty). After using it for a couple of weeks I decided to clean the insides. I vacuumed, sprayed and polished. I think the spraying was a mistake or I didn't let the unit dry-out long enough before I fired it up. Anyway, the automatic tuning went kaput. First it went all the way to the right bypassing the limit switch. Then, after manually putting the dial pointer back where it belonged, it went the opposite direction (left), bypassed the limit switch and stopped. I have a repair manual but haven't even looked at it. The amplifier section still works great so I'm hoping to be able to figure out what's wrong. Anyway, another unit came up for sale on eBay and I bought it (reasonably priced). The reason I purchased another was because I was absolutely enthralled with the Rube Goldberg technology of the automatic tuning, the nice sounding amplifier and sensitive FM Tuner and the build quality. If you look inside, it uses some kind of large, rectangular power transistors for the amplifier section. So, yeah, I really like the Kenwood. It does lack inputs although you can use the Tape inputs as "auxillary" inputs. Very nice build quality on the Kenny and, IMHO, a pretty design in an 80's kind of way. 60 RMS Watts per channel. A lot of bang for the buck. Not "golden ears" TOTL but very presentable, and, IMHO, very cool. There's one for sale on eBay right now for $75 but that's at least twice what I paid for the 2nd unit I purchased.
 
It is a bit difficult to find out about these models. But since I started this thread I have talked with another AKer with a different Kenwood receiver from that same year. The automatic tuning is a bit scary since there is no manual dial if it fails, but it works fine on my unit.

It does sound great, and it may be slightly more powerful than the JVC (with more i/o ports). I think I will keep it, even if I only use it as an amp for one of my turntables. I do need to go inside and clean the potentiometers better, to keep the dirty balance control from stealing a channel again.

Incidentally, I think I paid 10 bucks for it at a public radio station benefit record sale. It had a broken volume knob (and the control shaft, too). I just replaced the control to get a new shaft.
 
I'm not into "I got it cheapest". I'm almost 59 and still working (good job) so I can afford to pay a premium buying on eBay. No time for charity/garage sales/estate sales. I like eBay. Have yet to be burned although a couple of guys tried to scam me when I had my nice ole' McIntosh MC-2100 power amp up for bid last year. I can smell 'em, these crooks, I tell you. Cut these guys off at the knees.

Anyway, good luck with the busted KR-750.
 
Steve,

First, I probably wouldn't have mentioned what I paid for it, except you discussed the kind of deal you got or could get on the Kenwoods you have been interested in more than one part of your message. I didn't think it was a contest. I just thought you thought getting a good buy on an old piece of equipment (that you might have to fix up) was and interesting subject to discuss.

Second, my Kr-750 isn't busted. It works just fine now, but I had been considering thinning out some equipment and wondered if it or my other receiver would have been better to keep with my other equipment (see my first post). I wondered if some AKers knowing something about both of my receivers might have some recommendations.

Thirdly, I am also 59, don't have a "good" job if you mainly mean well-paying, and so have to bargain shop when I can. I'm glad to hear you are doing okay and know how to avoid getting scammed by cheats on ebay. Good for you! I have only purchased a couple of small things there. So far I have been lucky I guess. The transactions went smoothly.

Take care,

Steve
 
Sound wise, I'd guess there's not much difference between your two receivers. I'd go with the one that shows the most promise of trouble free operation first, then convenience features second. Your Kenny will probably fetch more if you sell it.
 
Illinoisteve, good comments. Point(s) well taken. I'm humbled. I think I broke the rules in some kind of way. Thanks for taking the time to bring me back on track: intent to share information in a friendly way on the AK website.
 
I know, this might sound crazy, but here's the system I use to evaluate gear:

1. Hook up amp A.
2. Listen.
3. Hook up amp B.
4. Listen
5. Keep the one that sounds better.

It's a complicated and time-consuming process, fraught with extended calculations, frequency response charts, power curves. NOT.

It's about the music. Listen.
 
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