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Kenwood KR-8010

cbusuttil

cbusuttil

Active Member
Hey! recently acquired a Kenwood KR 8010; needed some servicing, but i got past that and it's doing great. Shame that it doesn't have the wood case :( Was the KR-8010 the TOTL Kenwood receiver? Anyone ever compared the KR-8010 with the KR-8050? they seem to have very similar power (125W vs 120W) and similar THD except that the KR-8010 seems a year older than the KR 8050. Would be curious how different do they sound ....
 
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I have not owned a KR-8050 so can't speak to that but I used to own a KR-8010. Had the unit professionally cleaned and serviced. Everything was in spec. I found the 8010 lacking in overall sound quality in low volume. Even at moderate volume several of my lower powered receivers at the time sounded better (KR-6030, KR-7400, Realistic STA-90). Once you opened up the volume, however, the sound quality improved a lot. Clairity and bass were very good. Having said that my Pioneer D1S was better in overall sound detail and quality.
 
Congratulations on the KR-8010. When working correctly, I have found them to be a pleasant surprise. I will not speak as to whether or not they are prone to problems or what those might typically be, as I have limited experience with them overall. From the listening sessions I have done they did the job very well, though.
As for a comparison to the KR-8050, I have not played around with one. The KR-8010 was introduced a year earlier, though - so I do not think that they were intentionally meant to be the same.
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about the working guts could comment, I know that Kenwood made a lot of receivers in the 120-125 WPC range and I suspect that it was largely modifications on existing designs.
I will say that as compared to a KR-9050 the KR-8010 has the same spongy feeling plastic knobs, and the same plastic switches. Neither unit comes off as nice as the KR-9600 - by comparison Kenwood was moving into cheaper switches and knobs, and it is obvious in feel and appearance.
That said, I aesthetically like the knobs on the KR-8010 better than those on the KR-9050, but that is taste.
If you get yours working correctly, I suspect that you will find yourself more than happy with it.
Oh, and the KR-8050 seems to be a fair bit rarer than the KR-8010, so naturally the one commands a higher price usually.
Have fun with it and tell us what you think about it after repairs and a good listening session.
 
I ran mine in concert with my Pioneer SX-1250 and it held it's head up proudly in the competition. I find the 8010 to be a great receiver even if it isn't as pretty as the 1250.
 
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