Knowledge about Kenwood KA-7100?

[gurdyp]

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.

@Grenadeslio — I have a technics sl-bd22 turntable and paradigm bookshelf speakers (and the Scott amp) right now, and the technics works fine but sounds terrible! I got it years ago from some guy, before I knew anything about anything (not that I do now — it’s why am here on audiokarma trying to educate myself! ) I don’t even know what cartridge the TT has. Do you think it’d be worth it to swap out the cartridge on that old thing? Or go for something like an entry level Pro-Ject...?

 

[jimbo2k]

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.)

The KA 3500 is 20 watts less,does not have a removeable bottom and sounds great. The 7100 uses standard TO3 transistors, that, for the present, are avilable. The 7300 uses STK packks that are no longer available. The Marantz will have the Marantz tax added to the price

 

[gurdyp]

The KA 3500 is 20 watts less,does not have a removeable bottom and sounds great. The 7100 uses standard TO3 transistors, that, for the present, are avilable. The 7300 uses STK packks that are no longer available. The Marantz will have the Marantz tax added to the price

This is great — thank you!

 

[Grenadeslio]

@Grenadeslio — I have a technics sl-bd22 turntable and paradigm bookshelf speakers (and the Scott amp) right now, and the technics works fine but sounds terrible! I got it years ago from some guy, before I knew anything about anything (not that I do now — it’s why am here on audiokarma trying to educate myself! ) I don’t even know what cartridge the TT has. Do you think it’d be worth it to swap out the cartridge on that old thing? Or go for something like an entry level Pro-Ject...?

Here's my .02 for what it's worth

way back in time, you know, before the dinosaurs were invented I started my audio journey.

my first table was a very inexpensive idler drive Dual, I can't remember the model but it was schveet with a Goldring cartridge.

being young and stupid I decided to jump on the DD bandwagon, again I can't remember the model or even the manufacturer but it was the first of a number of inexpensive DD's that just got in the way of the music. they were all more expensive than my Dual was but it crushed them all where it counted, making music, too bad I had already sold it

yrs go by with one cheap DD after another not cutting the muster when I stop at a garage sale selling electronics. There are three tables stacked on top of each other. Two cheap DD's and an AR? I didn't know they made tables back in the day, I had AR 12's and loved them.

The little table was only $15 so what was there to lose, I bought the ugly black rattle can spray painted deck and brought it home. Contacted AR for a new belt, and WOW, my music was back in spades.

I swore off DD tables for yrs after that, my next table was a Thorens TD166MKII purchased as an upgrade over the AR, but the little table that could was having none of it, the Thorens was relegated to the bedroom system.

it was around 20 years before I decided to try another DD, and what a table I picked. as a teen I was always intrigued by the faux marble Kenny decks, but back when they were new they were out of my price range. Now not so much, and I was eyeballing a schveet KD-500 with a beautiful arm.

This would be my first table with an arm that wasn't supplied with the table as a package, or could even be easily changed. No familiarity but the Grace G707 looked like a million bucks so I paid my $230 and hoped I wasn't making a mistake buying another DD.

I needn't have worried, "The Rock" was finally able to unseat the king, the little table that could was finally met its match. This led to the purchase of another top flight DD, a Kenwood KD 770D, this deck was another step up the ladder in SQ.

I've since moved up to another belt drive that easily tops the two Kennys but that's another story.

I learned my lesson, cheap belt and idler drives made before plastic was so prevalent are decent decks, cheap DD's that are mostly plastic will never sound good no matter what cartridge you mount on them.

looking at your table brings back memories of all those DD tables before the AR, just saying.

 

[mbz]

And ok, if you had to choose: KA-7100, KA-3500, or Marantz 1040??

The KA-7100 is a better amp than the 1040, haven't tinkered/listened to the KA-3500. My 1040 (fully refurb'd) only
sounded ok, I wouldn't decribe it as warm in the vintage sense. I think something like a Sansui AU-505/555/555A or
Luxman L-30/31, SQ-505X/507X or plenty of the vintage receivers will give you the warmth you are after.

 

[Grenadeslio]

The KA-7100 is a better amp than the 1040, haven't tinkered/listened to the KA-3500. My 1040 (fully refurb'd) only
sounded ok, I wouldn't decribe it as warm in the vintage sense. I think something like a Sansui AU-505/555/555A or
Luxman L-30/31, SQ-505X/507X or plenty of the vintage receivers will give you the warmth you are after.

the same day in 1978 I purchased my KA-7100 my older brother purchased a KA-3500, very schveet amp that I would recommend highly if not needing the extra power of the 7100.

 

[gurdyp]

Ah! So I missed out on the KA-7100 — dithered too long it looks like.

Here are a couple of interesting options right now, though. I have the chance to pick up a whole Optonica system (Amp, tuner, tape-deck (!)) and a Dual TT) for a very affordable price, or a KR-4070 (also very affordable).

Both seem to have pretty good reputations here on AK. Anyone have any knowledge of either...?

P.s. Thanks again for all your amazing feedback + knowledge — you guys rock.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Ah! So I missed out on the KA-7100 — dithered too long it looks like.

Here are a couple of interesting options right now, though. I have the chance to pick up a whole Optonica system (Amp, tuner, tape-deck (!)) and a Dual TT) for a very affordable price, or a KR-4070 (also very affordable).

Both seem to have pretty good reputations here on AK. Anyone have any knowledge of either...?

P.s. Thanks again for all your amazing feedback + knowledge — you guys rock.

ok, you just missed out on a great amp, you might want to rethink your evaluation process, me thinks it's too slow lol.

This is what I do if not familiar with a piece I'm interested in, I look for its specs/info on hifiengine, then reviews and that most likely takes me to threads here on the piece, then I either bid, make an offer, or buy it now.

remember, the early bird gets the worm

 

[GyroTuner]

View attachment 2261505 The kenwood ka7100 is a great vintage amp

that's the great thing about Kenwood, excellent equipment without the cache price tag of Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer.......the Kenwood KA-7100 is an awesome piece to build a system around

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 think something like a Sansui AU-505/555/555A or Luxman L-30/31, SQ-505X/507X or plenty of the vintage receivers will give you the warmth you are after.

Even though the OP didn't get the amp, good thread.

I agree with the above posts. The KA-7100 is a great amp, quite possibly the the quintessential vintage amp because they built so many of them and because they were rock solid gear. It's not perfect, no pre-outs, for example, and by the late 70s when it was built the knobs were getting a little more plasticky than on earlier models. But unlike the KA-7300, it has discrete outputs instead of the Darlington power packs, an advantage for long-term reliability. Unlike the KA-9100, it doesn't have meters (an aesthetic advantage for me at least, count me amongst those who don't like meters on integrated amps). The KA-8100 has discrete outputs, no meters, pre-outs, and more power than the KA-7100, so it is probably the Kenwood amp of choice. But the KA-8100 is not as common and mainstream as the KA-7100, and there is always something cool about the mainstream. The "in dorm rooms coast to coast" quote says it all, I also remember those days, as do many others. There was a reason they sold a lot of them, and a reason why it is still popular today.

If you can live with a little less power and want the warm vintage sound, the two integrated amps of choice based on my own experience are the cap coupled Sansui AU-777/A/D, or the Marantz 1060. All-time audio classics, IMO, just like the KA-7100. I have no experience with the Luxman amps, maybe those are better or equivalent to Sansu/Marantz/Kenwood, but again, not as mainstream classic.

 

[silvernutsaq]

I've been reading this thread which I find very accurate and informative about the legendary KA-7100. I owned one for a few years and used it in my garage, then replaced it with KA-9100/ KT-8300 combo. Thats set up was pretty spectacular in the garage and would be more than adequate in most home environments. However both units sounded anything but warm, and the advice about the digital front end as a source, along with finding the perfect cartridge for your turntable is spot-on.

Any Sansui receiver before the G Series would likely be a good candidate, as well as pre-76 Kenwood receivers. In particular the KR-4140/5150/6160 would likely give you that warm analog sound you're searching for and they've always seemed to be under the radar. They have nice power supplies and great tuners, and play nicely with most turntable setups. I could go on with other choices but I think those would fit the bill.

 

[Grenadeslio]

I've been reading this thread which I find very accurate and informative about the legendary KA-7100. I owned one for a few years and used it in my garage, then replaced it with KA-9100/ KT-8300 combo. Thats set up was pretty spectacular in the garage and would be more than adequate in most home environments. However both units sounded anything but warm, and the advice about the digital front end as a source, along with finding the perfect cartridge for your turntable is spot-on.

Any Sansui receiver before the G Series would likely be a good candidate, as well as pre-76 Kenwood receivers. In particular the KR-4140/5150/6160 would likely give you that warm analog sound you're searching for and they've always seemed to be under the radar. They have nice power supplies and great tuners, and play nicely with most turntable setups. I could go on with other choices but I think those would fit the bill.

I have three KA-4006 integrated amps from their earlier line that play very nice with Klipsch speakers. I would imagine the more powerful KA-6006 and 8006 from the same line would also.

 

[Krešo]

Nice Thread! Especially since next week KA-7100 in pristine condition from the first, original owner, never bullied and abused, is coming my way. Oh man, at the moment I have quite a few completely restored (I mean completely) nice pieces but haveb never owned Kenwood (Trio) KA-7100.

I took the time getting me service manual and reading other people's experiences with it. What can one say but all those transistor based mravels of audio engineering were made to last and made to give total satisfaction for our analogue chains. I mean, I am reading all sorts of BS like connecting iPods and YouTube over some Pad/Pod/Tablet/Phone stories. Whatever! Those new digital sources (if we can call it sources at all) are either way too compressed so all the goodies and dynamic range is simply gone and for the most part, in lack of knowledge or time (mostly is time because it's so convenient to hook up YT over iPhone, right?!) those sources does not give you the whole idea of analogue sound reproduction and image separation.

Sure, this KA-7100 is not Trio's (Kenwood's) TOTL piece but if you ask me (IMHO) it is amazing piece. Built like a tanks, stuffed with more than enough power and reserve for spikiest and most misbehaved transients, well designed and wisely chosen components (many will disagree but I believe that designers were NOT doing it just on the throw-in what you have basis, right) for the tasks in the circuit. Finding one not "touched" eg. not done repair by not reputable shop is a lottery. But from time to time there is a gem sitting somewhere.

I might be coming back reporting my experience and how satisfied I am when I get it home and hook it up.

Stay safe everyone!

Krešo

 

[Grenadeslio]

Nice Thread! Especially since next week KA-7100 in pristine condition from the first, original owner, never bullied and abused, is coming my way. Oh man, at the moment I have quite a few completely restored (I mean completely) nice pieces but haveb never owned Kenwood (Trio) KA-7100.

I took the time getting me service manual and reading other people's experiences with it. What can one say but all those transistor based mravels of audio engineering were made to last and made to give total satisfaction for our analogue chains. I mean, I am reading all sorts of BS like connecting iPods and YouTube over some Pad/Pod/Tablet/Phone stories. Whatever! Those new digital sources (if we can call it sources at all) are either way too compressed so all the goodies and dynamic range is simply gone and for the most part, in lack of knowledge or time (mostly is time because it's so convenient to hook up YT over iPhone, right?!) those sources does not give you the whole idea of analogue sound reproduction and image separation.

Sure, this KA-7100 is not Trio's (Kenwood's) TOTL piece but if you ask me (IMHO) it is amazing piece. Built like a tanks, stuffed with more than enough power and reserve for spikiest and most misbehaved transients, well designed and wisely chosen components (many will disagree but I believe that designers were NOT doing it just on the throw-in what you have basis, right) for the tasks in the circuit. Finding one not "touched" eg. not done repair by not reputable shop is a lottery. But from time to time there is a gem sitting somewhere.

I might be coming back reporting my experience and how satisfied I am when I get it home and hook it up.

Stay safe everyone!

Krešo

it's a fine piece, my fond memories of it along with a matching tuna and AR12's are what led to this setup.


ha, just realized after seeing this picture many times you can see the two tranny/cap set up for the dual mono through the top.




And I think they look great in the living rm with the beautiful AR cabinets.


the KA-7100 is a fine amp to build a system around, you won't be disappointed.

if liking the look of the handles the 7100 uses the D7, the same as the 7300 and many other Kenny pieces. The smaller amps like the 3500 in this series use the D5, the larger the D10, they aren't cheap.

 

[gurdyp]

So… in the end I got the 7100! The guy had not sold it and when I realized that, I jumped on it.

Got it home yesterday and hooked it up today to have a quick listen, and oh my! It’s a beauty. In every way. (Looks, power, sound.) Even with my little paradigm bookshelf speakers, it sounds amazing!

Thanks so much to everyone in this thread who gave me the push. I owe ya!

 

[Myrantz]

What about the Marantz 2015? I see one for sale locally where I am for a not-too-bad price...

2015s are GREAT for low volume listening. Their mid-range is nearly unequalled throughout the 22XX series. The bass isn’t all there. FM doesn’t cone in as well as the higher wattage models. But they’re really nice. I hope you bought it!

 

[Myrantz]

What about the Marantz 2015? I see one for sale locally where I am for a not-too-bad price...

The 2015 “baby Marantz” is one of the best sounding Marantz ever built. They only lack the bass of the bigger receivers, but their mids and highs are better than all of the rest of the line with the possible exception of a good 4230/2230 that are close to equal.