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Kenwood KR9600

V

Vintagecasey

Well-Known Member
I have a chance to buy a Kenwood KR 9600 moderator edit: removed dollar figure since questions of value may only appear in the Dollars & Sense forum.

I haven't seen it in person but there are close-ups and it looks to be in very good condition cosmetically. The guy says he will demo it for me no problem. He also said, give me a good offer. I currently have a Kenwood model 11 series 3, and a Kenwood model 11 GX. I purchased these over the last year and a half but my goal was always to try to get to the 9600. I would like to hear Kenwood owners objective opinions on whether I should sell one or both of my series 11s and get the 9600 or just be happy with what I have. Thanks!
 
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The KR-9600 has some unobtainium parts in case you're not aware. While a very popular unit with Kenwood fans and others, I would be hesitant to buy unless your knowledgeable or know someone who can repair it when it stops working.
 
Yeah the ta200w's... Is there a big sound difference (fidelity) between the model eleven and the 9600 at say low to medium sound levels? I hear the the 9600 was probably the best Kenwood ever made?
 
The power packs have better remakes readily available on eBay.
The power supply board is the real issue here, the transistors and resistors unsolder themselves and burn the board.

Vintagecasey said:
Yeah the ta200w's... Is there a big sound difference (fidelity) between the model eleven and the 9600 at say low to medium sound levels? I hear the the 9600 was probably the best Kenwood ever made?
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Similar. The 9600 was the biggest they made, but not remotely close to the best unit, or heck - even best receiver.

It's big. That's about the only draw here. It sure isn't the sound.
 
ivandezande said:
The power supply board is the real issue here, the transistors and resistors unsolder themselves and burn the board.
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There are solutions available for keeping the power supply board cool. Between this and the power pack replacements available, the KR9600 has become a pretty reliable monster receiver. I was impressed by mine. Not the best receiver, but one of the better ones for sure IMO.
 
eiraved said:
There are solutions available for keeping the power supply board cool. Between this and the power pack replacements available, the KR9600 has become a pretty reliable monster receiver. I was impressed by mine. Not the best receiver, but one of the better ones for sure IMO.
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For sure, but that needs to be taken care of is all I was saying.
 
Vintagecasey said:
Which has the best sound, in your opinion?
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I personally have minimal experience regarding Kenwood products, having only listened to 3 if I recall correctly. One of former AK members (EchoWars) repaired many Kenwood products and was a fan of the L-O7MII amp, the KA-7300 and the 500/600/700 series of amps.
 
Kenwoods in general. I also have a Kenwood ka701 and ka5500. At low to mid volumes, the ka5500 sounds very nice to me. I've been picking these up for the last few years to have a hobby since I retired. I don't know a lot about electronics, but learning. I've recapped ( and sometimes other repairs with the help of AK.)... Also a Marantz 2240, a couple Technics, Sony, pioneer and they do have unique sounds. All have gone except the the couple kenwoods & the marantz. I remember listening to the 9600 years and years ago. It always sounded excellent to me but these others don't seem to measure up, maybe it's just my old ears not allowing them to sound like I remember the 9600...
 
I have one. Use it fairly regularly. It has waaayy more power than needed! Even with A+B 8i ohms each. It is a beautiful beast!
Sound ? That’s your speakers. I don’t care what anyone says. I know it’s the speakers and the source material/recording. I can and have, swapped speakers and i hear the speakers not the amp.
Was listening to early 1900’s music guess how that sounds? lol! It was expensive. No doubt.
My normal room filling power level is under 10w. According to the meters!

If you can spare the coin, get it. If it’s a budget buster then….
 
Vintagecasey said:
Kenwoods in general. I also have a Kenwood ka701 and ka5500. At low to mid volumes, the ka5500 sounds very nice to me. I've been picking these up for the last few years to have a hobby since I retired. I don't know a lot about electronics, but learning. I've recapped ( and sometimes other repairs with the help of AK.)... Also a Marantz 2240, a couple Technics, Sony, pioneer and they do have unique sounds. All have gone except the the couple kenwoods & the marantz. I remember listening to the 9600 years and years ago. It always sounded excellent to me but these others don't seem to measure up, maybe it's just my old ears not allowing them to sound like I remember the 9600...
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Kenwood Supreme 500/600/700
Kenwood L-07/9C and their high speed counterparts.

The KR-6/7/8050 & KA-7/801 sound good but build is questionable.

Everything else is extremely meh.
 
Also KA-701 here and matching Tuner. Kind of free…well not exactly, but one heck of a deal after fixing it, for the previous owner lol.
But since it has no meters it’s boring to look at hahaha
What is really crazy is I have a box full of Japanese transistors (small signal) and other parts from a guy who ran a kenwood factory service center . Sadly no hi power parts.
 
Just searched for the replacement power packs for the KR-9600 and they run over $300 a pair.
This is why I'm not a fan.

I like Kenwood though. Had a KR-5150 I rebuilt. I sold a partially rebuilt Marantz 2252 to a friend who moved and put it in storage until the move was over. He needed something to listen to so I sent him the 5150. He said he liked the 5150 much more than the 2252.

When he got the 2252 out of storage he compared the two and said the 5150 was much better and kept that one.
 
I agree on the power pack devices.
Did not someone come up with discrete solution?
Not sure.
I can appreciate how the various manufacturers adopted what was a new process technology.
But here we are. Dagnabbit!
 
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