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Kenwood M1 vs M1A

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some pics
M1
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M1A

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Hi, I used to own the basic m1a in my youth, it is a fine sounding easy listening amp and the model after m1 but it is a completely different amp, the m1 is a class h transistor amp, the m1a is a hybrid amp, build with chips in the output stages..some months ago I aquired the m1 in curiosity as i wanted to compare with my m1a experience and its actually a great sounding amp to, I got so pleased with it that i got one more and made the experience in bridging them, this really pays off here, I like the firm chewing gum bass and the presence of these amps. Neutral and Powerfull. They should be fairly cheap to get at these days and in consideration of the price its hard to find better. The sigmadrive..wasnt so sure if it even did something but after several tests in speakers and music styles im a fan! fine woofer control with the sigma drive but it is still great without it. The basic c1 is a good little preamp for the m1s, but you can play around with pre amps, the proton ap1000 lifts the basic m1 experience bigtime. Good luck with the kenwood adventure :)
 
The m1 has DLD and sigma drive using extra speaker cables to lower impedance of cables. M1a has super DLD and does not need the extra set of cables as it's built into the amp. The reason was when m1 was made, most cables were like lamp wire, cheap. As time went on, better and thicker cables were availible. No need to parallel 2 cables anymore. Both are great amps and most people can't tell the difference sonically. Scoop them up now as they are getting popular again.
 
The Kenwood Basic M1 is a discrete build Power amp with the Kenwood DLD Technology and Sigma Drive. In my Opinion it is the best sounding Amp of the whole Basic Series. You can push it up with some pimps inside, like current source Mods and other stuff.
 
Broesel02 said:
The Kenwood Basic M1 is a discrete build Power amp with the Kenwood DLD Technology and Sigma Drive. In my Opinion it is the best sounding Amp of the whole Basic Series. You can push it up with some pimps inside, like current source Mods and other stuff.
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Can you tell me anything about the M1A ? You can find the M1A cheaper than the M1
 
The Kenwood M1A has the the same power amplifier with the Kenwood 880SD. Hybrid Current amplification. It is just not sounding as good as the Basic M1. BTW, the M1 has same Power amplifier as the Kewood KA X7
 
Broesel02 said:
The Kenwood M1A has the the same power amplifier with the Kenwood 880SD. Hybrid Current amplification. It is just not sounding as good as the Basic M1. BTW, the M1 has same Power amplifier as the Kewood KA X7
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Great info, thanks. I have a M1A and M1D here. The M1A has the output modules, but I have no issues with them when original and unscathed. The M1D is in service here daily - it has the red bar meters and more power. M1D has discrete output transistors. It is the same driver architecture as the KA-990V, per the manual. The M1D also has a "New VIG DLD Circuit", circa 1987. It looks good to me, with matched JFET inputs and full differential drive to the outputs.
 
Bob@FM said:
Great info, thanks. I have a M1A and M1D here. The M1A has the output modules, but I have no issues with them when original and unscathed. The M1D is in service here daily - it has the red bar meters and more power. M1D has discrete output transistors. It is the same driver architecture as the KA-990V, per the manual. The M1D also has a "New VIG DLD Circuit", circa 1987. It looks good to me, with matched JFET inputs and full differential drive to the outputs.
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So the M1A is not that bad in the end ?
 
My son used the M1A for 4 years in college, and never complained. And it came back intact, not blown up, so I would say if nothing else it's reliable. It survived college parties.
From the examples I've seen, this M1 series are all well designed, and well built amps. And they are plentiful. I think the Kenwood stuff that uses the output modules get a little bit of a bad rep because of the service issues. I have a KA-7300 here that also has the modules, no problems in 20+ years. That one is used frequently on my test bench to listen to stuff under test.
 
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