• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Knowledge about Kenwood KA-7100?

G

gurdyp

New Member
Hi everyone!

I've been spending a lot of time recently lurking on AK, so I thought I'd go ahead and join and jump in the fray.

I'm a total newbie, but have become (just a little bit!) obsessed by the idea of finding that warm, rich 70s sound I remember from my childhood. (I don't know what system my Dad had, but it was brushed silver, had a phono and tape deck and sounded amazing!).

I recently acquired an HH Scott A436, because I thought it looked pretty cool, and I was hoping for that deep, warm vintage sound. I've been a bit disappointed, though. It sounds a bit thin to me. (I also have a Pioneer SX-255R — which doesn't have the look I'm after, but has pretty decent power and sound!)

So I'm now looking at getting a KA 7100. Does anyone have any advice on that particular model?

Thanks to anyone who might have some words of wisdom! Love this forum. :)
 
Register to hide this ad
My refurb'd KA-7100 was more on the neutral side rather than warm. Certainly a very good amp but probably not the
sound you are looking for. I'm tinkering with a Marantz 2285B, yes, that's warm-ish, maybe consider something from
the 22xx series though they can be expensive. Also consider something like Luxman L-30, SQ-505X or Sansui
5050, 661 or better or many from Pioneer...
 
Thanks for the replies!

It looks like a beautiful amp, but @mbz you’ve given me something to consider, re: sound, which was exactly what I was hoping for. :)
 
mbz said:
My refurb'd KA-7100 was more on the neutral side rather than warm. Certainly a very good amp but probably not the
sound you are looking for. I'm tinkering with a Marantz 2285B, yes, that's warm-ish, maybe consider something from
the 22xx series though they can be expensive. Also consider something like Luxman L-30, SQ-505X or Sansui
5050, 661 or better or many from Pioneer...
Click to expand...

What about the Marantz 2015? I see one for sale locally where I am for a not-too-bad price...
 
Don't know the marantz range but I suspect the 2015 is bottom of the range, I'd be aiming for something midrange.
I refurb'd a Sansui 5050 and liked the warmth, ok it's midrange at best, I've been trying to buy other sansui but $$$...
 
gurdyp said:
Hi everyone!

I've been spending a lot of time recently lurking on AK, so I thought I'd go ahead and join and jump in the fray.

I'm a total newbie, but have become (just a little bit!) obsessed by the idea of finding that warm, rich 70s sound I remember from my childhood. (I don't know what system my Dad had, but it was brushed silver, had a phono and tape deck and sounded amazing!).

I recently acquired an HH Scott A436, because I thought it looked pretty cool, and I was hoping for that deep, warm vintage sound. I've been a bit disappointed, though. It sounds a bit thin to me. (I also have a Pioneer SX-255R — which doesn't have the look I'm after, but has pretty decent power and sound!)

So I'm now looking at getting a KA 7100. Does anyone have any advice on that particular model?

Thanks to anyone who might have some words of wisdom! Love this forum. :)
Click to expand...

Purchased a Kenwood KA-7100 new in 1978 along with matching tuna and AR 12's, that system rocked. And while the amps sound isn't syrupy I wouldn't describe it as bright either.

Here's the thing, if your front end is digital good luck getting that sound you remember from any amp. If your front end is a turntable the Kenny will be just the ticket, just spice (cartridge) to suit as it were.

Your speakers and cartridge are going to have the most influence on your SQ, one of the great things about analog.
 
Grenadeslio said:
Purchased a Kenwood KA-7100 new in 1978 along with matching tuna and AR 12's, that system rocked. And while the amps sound isn't syrupy I wouldn't describe it as bright either.

Here's the thing, if your front end is digital good luck getting that sound you remember from any amp. If your front end is a turntable the Kenny will be just the ticket, just spice (cartridge) to suit as it were.

Your speakers and cartridge are going to have the most influence on your SQ, one of the great things about analog.
Click to expand...


Edit: perfect example, one of my systems has a Kenwood KA-7300 at its heart, reminds me of my old 7100, about the same age and power. The turntable with a Grado G1+ with 8MZ stylus is just a tad to syrupy with the Kenny, an AT VMN95E would have a totally different presentation.

bedroom Kenwood system
20210428_215238.jpg
 
Grenadeslio said:
Purchased a Kenwood KA-7100 new in 1978 along with matching tuna and AR 12's, that system rocked. And while the amps sound isn't syrupy I wouldn't describe it as bright either.

Here's the thing, if your front end is digital good luck getting that sound you remember from any amp. If your front end is a turntable the Kenny will be just the ticket, just spice (cartridge) to suit as it were.

Your speakers and cartridge are going to have the most influence on your SQ, one of the great things about analog.
Click to expand...

What I really want is the vintage amp and an excellent turntable — and then the speakers that’ll give me that sound I’m after. The space I’m wanting to set up is for vinyl. (I’d probably listen to some Spotify here and there) but all this is to get that phono experience I remember as a kid. So I start with the amp, right, and work from there? Having said all that, my budget is on a budget. :) So I’m wanting to get the most bang for my buck... so to speak!
 
CDDBC60C-3DF4-40EB-9371-5A855B111571.jpeg The kenwood ka7100 is a great vintage amp. When fully restored it will produce a nice warm 3D sound. That’s the problem, most 7100’s you’ll find on ebay are not restored. There will almost certainly be electrolytic capacitors that have dried up because of its age. When a capacitor loses it’s electrolyte, it changes the value of the capacitor, which changes the sound, lifeless and dull. So the challenge is to find one that has been properly restored, or have one restored by a good tech.
 
gurdyp said:
What I really want is the vintage amp and an excellent turntable — and then the speakers that’ll give me that sound I’m after. The space I’m wanting to set up is for vinyl. (I’d probably listen to some Spotify here and there) but all this is to get that phono experience I remember as a kid. So I start with the amp, right, and work from there? Having said all that, my budget is on a budget. :) So I’m wanting to get the most bang for my buck... so to speak!
Click to expand...

that's the great thing about Kenwood, excellent equipment without the cache price tag of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer.......

again, the warm analog sound you remember had more to do with the cartridge and speakers than amp choice, the Kenwood KA-7100 is an awesome piece to build a system around.

if you like the look of the rack handles, the 7100 uses the D7 like my pieces. But be aware they are not cheap lol.

I'm currently trying to get a working Kenwood KX-1030 cassette to go with the D10 handles I purchased to go with the first unit purchased that showed up with issues. Then the second with issues, both units my tech doesn't suggest wasting more time and money on.:(

So I just plunked down more than double what the other two were 4yrs ago, hope this one works as described.:idea:
 
Grenadeslio said:
that's the great thing about Kenwood, excellent equipment without the cache price tag of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer.......

again, the warm analog sound you remember had more to do with the cartridge and speakers than amp choice, the Kenwood KA-7100 is an awesome piece to build a system around.

if you like the look of the rack handles, the 7100 uses the D7 like my pieces. But be aware they are not cheap lol.

I'm currently trying to get a working Kenwood KX-1030 cassette to go with the D10 handles I purchased to go with the first unit purchased that showed up with issues. Then the second with issues, both units my tech doesn't suggest wasting more time and money on.:(

So I just plunked down more than double what the other two were 4yrs ago, hope this one works as described.:idea:
Click to expand...

Kenwood KX-1030 are not the best... They were aparently made by Toshiba. Bought 2 of those, and lost it...
 
turboyam said:
Kenwood KX-1030 are not the best... They were aparently made by Toshiba. Bought 2 of those, and lost it...
Click to expand...

not sure who made it, was their TOTL deck at the time and it's highly praised:dunno:

but these are 40yr old machines

I don't really need the deck having a Teac C-3RX (Tascam 122B), Nakamichi MR1, etc....... but as stated it completes the silver faced Kenny system in the bedroom.
 
Last edited:
I too have a KA7100, bought it in 1977. Kenwood made over 100,000 of these, they were in dorm rooms coast to coast. Built solid, built to last. I would refer to the sound as ‘dry’. It’s just an amp. No real character to me. Today, it’s in the closet. I use similar era Marantz gear now, couldn’t afford that back then.
 
Coolhandjjl said:
I too have a KA7100, bought it in 1977. Kenwood made over 100,000 of these, they were in dorm rooms coast to coast. Built solid, built to last. I would refer to the sound as ‘dry’. It’s just an amp. No real character to me. Today, it’s in the closet. I use similar era Marantz gear now, couldn’t afford that back then.
Click to expand...
I just realized that’s the beauty of it then. It doesn’t call attention to itself and lets the cartridge and the speakers do their thing.
 
gurdyp said:
Hi everyone!

I've been spending a lot of time recently lurking on AK, so I thought I'd go ahead and join and jump in the fray.

I'm a total newbie, but have become (just a little bit!) obsessed by the idea of finding that warm, rich 70s sound I remember from my childhood. (I don't know what system my Dad had, but it was brushed silver, had a phono and tape deck and sounded amazing!).

I recently acquired an HH Scott A436, because I thought it looked pretty cool, and I was hoping for that deep, warm vintage sound. I've been a bit disappointed, though. It sounds a bit thin to me. (I also have a Pioneer SX-255R — which doesn't have the look I'm after, but has pretty decent power and sound!)

So I'm now looking at getting a KA 7100. Does anyone have any advice on that particular model?

Thanks to anyone who might have some words of wisdom! Love this forum. :)
Click to expand...

Check out the multiple threads on this particular amp here and elsewhere. The Kenwoods I've had are typical of that era. Still mostly repairable right now, look nice and sound good enough.

If you can find one in decent shape for a reasonable price, buy it, though good ones are currently overpriced IMO .. Many on the market now can be in rough shape so beware of that...

edit: just saw you wanted that 'warm' sound, but didn't find it in the HH Scott. Hmm, I agree with the previous poster that the 7100 may sound 'dry', but only you can decide if it sounds the way you remember.. Keep in mind that nostalgia has a way of 'distorting' the sound you remember !!

Good luck !
.
 
Last edited:
My KA-7100 (fully refurb'd) did sound "dry" when running with tone defeat on. When off, the added "colour" made
it quite a nice amp though not meeting the OP's requirement of "warm".
 
Thanks so much for all your thoughts here folks!

And ok, if you had to choose: KA-7100, KA-3500, or Marantz 1040?? (Keep in mind, I’m in Montreal and checking classifieds — they’re all quite steeply priced (but seem v. clean.)
 
bradfro said:
View attachment 2261505 The kenwood ka7100 is a great vintage amp. When fully restored it will produce a nice warm 3D sound. That’s the problem, most 7100’s you’ll find on ebay are not restored. There will almost certainly be electrolytic capacitors that have dried up because of its age. When a capacitor loses it’s electrolyte, it changes the value of the capacitor, which changes the sound, lifeless and dull. So the challenge is to find one that has been properly restored, or have one restored by a good tech.
Click to expand...
Maybe this is the problem with the HH Scott I currently have? I know the previous guy cleaned the pots, but he’d had it for 6 years and never had it serviced. Do you think it would be worth it to take it to a tech?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom