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Kenwood Supreme (500/600/650/700) informal user's group?

This thread makes me regret not picking up a 600 amp locally a few months back. Although i barely listen to my 500 anymore...
 
Last month I added a 2nd 700M and a Supreme 600. :D

This week, just got myself a MINTY 600T, with original box, manual, blank warranty cards and even the original felt pads! :banana:
 
cchean said:
Last month I added a 2nd 700M and a Supreme 600. :D

This week, just got myself a MINTY 600T, with original box, manual, blank warranty cards and even the original felt pads! :banana:
Click to expand...

With all those power amps it's almost like you had an active speaker in mind. :scratch2:
 
Update, went and visited a local machine shop today. I should have a price tommorrow for the most used knob on the supremes. Please get up with me if you need a knob... trying to get some sort of starting count ........thanks Bill
i will consider having all the supreme knobs made but it will based on cost and demand obviously .... more to follow ..............
 
Wondering what speaker systems people have had the most satisfying listening with when paired with a Model 600?

Right now, my choices are Klipsch Fortes and JBL L77s. Also have some AR 92s that need refoaming.

I like the 600 with the Fortes quite a bit, but have been tempted to pair the Fortes up with a tube unit as is often advised.

Your thoughts?
 
xilef regnu said:
Wondering what speaker systems people have had the most satisfying listening with when paired with a Model 600?

Right now, my choices are Klipsch Fortes and JBL L77s. Also have some AR 92s that need refoaming.

I like the 600 with the Fortes quite a bit, but have been tempted to pair the Fortes up with a tube unit as is often advised.

Your thoughts?
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felix unger,

The speakers would need to be pretty good themselves lest the qualities of the amp are lost(in other words full-range).Moderately efficient wouldn't hurt either).
 
I sued my 500 and 700M/C with ADS 1290/980 and Alon Capri with pretty good results.
EPI 180 was a good match too. YMMV.
 
Model 500

If anyone is interested in a Kenwood Supreme Model 500, Audiogon has one right now
 
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Oh, and i just upgraded my 700c!
thanks to EchoWars for helpful advice!
(some might not like the looks of big axial caps, but i sure do! :banana: )

34161030.jpg
 
Works great - who cares what they look like - they are under a shield and the cover - nobody will ever see them! :)

Does your unit not have a relay?
 
xoaphexox said:
Works great - who cares what they look like - they are under a shield and the cover - nobody will ever see them! :)

Does your unit not have a relay?
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nope, the soft-start relay must have died at some point, and some dude must have tried to ghetto-repair it, because the powersupply wasn't working properly when i bought it :thumbsdn:

luckily the seller was willing to pay for the repairs, so i gave it to a competent tech (who had the service manual), and i guess he decided the relay wasnt really needed :scratch2:
 
kenwood supreme 500 - info-nympho

lordsparky said:
500s are awesome. Similiar to the 600, just a bit less power. You can read more here:

http://www.thevintageknob.org/KENWOOD/SUPREME600/SUPREME600.html#
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hi guys -

well - i paid 400 dollars for a kenwood supreme 500 in "mint" coNdition....and for the first time ever - IT IS MINT!:banana:

CANT FIND MUCH INFORMATION ON THE THING OR THE OTHER AMPS IN THIS SERIES - I HAVE IT WITH CHRIS READY IN pa READY TO DO WHATEVER I WANT TO DO TO IT - BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE ECHOWARS HAS TIPS AND MODS FOR these things - all big letters suck :thumbsdn:- but i cant find the hints to perfection in this thread - and the link above is dead. any information would be nice - i bought it because someone told me they were scarce and kenwoods top-of-the-line....is this true - whats so special? the ka series looks similar - but they go ...well, ...uh, cheap - so there must be something Supremely special about this line - gimme some info - cough it up - dont be greedy - lemme know what you know.:nerd:

hey - was $400 too much money to start with?:scratch2:

here is the ebay link - it is only up for 90 days -

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...fWThVIg%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

thanks guys - i am expanding my horizons - i think i have sansui covered - now we have the kenwood model eleven I, II and III - and a nine G.

bye bye

sansuigirl
 
sansuigirl said:
any information would be nice - i bought it because someone told me they were scarce and kenwoods top-of-the-line....is this true - whats so special? the ka series looks similar - but they go ...well, ...uh, cheap - so there must be something Supremely special about this line - gimme some info - cough it up - dont be greedy - lemme know what you know.:nerd: hey - was $400 too much money to start with?:scratch2:sansuigirl
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Congrats!!! $400 is typical price for this piece on ebay. I have a 600 but got lucky on CL at a steal of a price with a KT 8300 tuna. The only difference between the two is the 600 has 30 more watts and the impedence switch is on the back on the 500. You'll want to open the unit up and inspect the caps to make sure they aren't leaking like mine were. I had them replaced and the whole thing looked over and adjusted. They are great sounding units with some real nice features like a 4 step loudness control, a great phono stage for 2 TT's, 2 aux inputs and rock solid build with great looks. I'm using mine as a preamp now because my speakers require higher wattage, but my 600 sounded great by it self and I'm sure your 500 will as well.

I've been a Sansui guy since the early '70's, but the 600 is my favorite and I have a lot of Sansui stuff!

What speakers do you plan on using with these?

Good Luck & Enjoy! :music: :thmbsp:

Here's what mine look like post number 3 :banana:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=261271

Lots of Info & picture. Click the links on the bottom: :yes:
http://www.thevintageknob.org/kenwood-Model_500.html


These manuals are free after registering if you haven't already have: :yes:

Service Manual
http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/kenwood/model-500.shtml


Instruction Manual Model 600

It's identical to the 500 except the Phono 1 impedence switch in on the back on the 500. :yes:

http://www.hifiengine.com/manuals/kenwood/model-600.shtml
 
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hi guys - i shipped the amp straight to chris ready in PA - this is what we did

"Kenwood Supreme 500 Amplifier/Pre Amplifier Combo Overhaul Work Data Sheet
Components Replaced /105 Total:
1 Protection relay
1 Cord - now an upgraded power cord can be installed - your choice
2 Fuses
4 Resistors
8 Insulators
8 Output transistors
68 electrolytic capacitors
4 film capacitors
8 ceramic capacitors
1 lamp - led - RED

Work performed:
Unit was stripped down all frame washed, all boards washed and flux removed.
All switches and controls were cleaned and cycled.
Power supply board hand re soldered.
Hundreds of cold solder joints throughout were re soldered.
Main filter caps were stress tested and value tested all meet requirements, within 15% of original spec.
All 68 electrolytic capacitors were replaced with Nichicon KZ (MUSE)—KW (AUDIO)—FG (FINE GOLD)—KT (HIGH TEMP AUDIO) for superb high fidelity.
The face plate was cleaned, buffed and protected.
The bottom cover was washed.
The top cover was sanded and coated with four light coats of satin black enamel.
The knobs were cleaned.
The protection relay was upgraded to Omron MY4-02-24VDC.
The power switch was upgraded to E-switch DPDT 7A.
The shunt discharge resistors on the main filter capacitors were upgraded to flameproof 1W/56K.
All 8 ceramic capacitors on the rectifier board were upgraded to mylar film 2% type.
4 film capacitors on the amplifier boards were upgraded to mylar film 2% type.
The pilot lamp was replaced with 2—20,000MCD. RED LEDS with 100 OHM protection resistor.
All 8 output transistors were upgraded to On-Semi low distortion 16A transistors.
The stock cord was removed, a C-13 interconnect was fabricated into the rear panel for use of low noise cord set...or whichever you prefer.
The insulators for the output transistors were upgraded to Thermalloy grease-less high performance heat transfer insulators.
Both 100 OHM fusible resistors on the amplifier boards were upgraded to ½ watt carbon film type.
The two fuses were replaced.
The Idle Current and DC offset values were adjusted for proper amplifier operation.
The power output was measured—124 watts per channel observed with no clipping—8 OHM load present—1000HZ sine wave used.
All modes tested, 25 hour burn in performed, amplifier adjustments re calibrated."

*EDITED BY MODERATOR*

anyways - take care guys - i always love input. (thats what she said)

sansuigirl
 
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