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Pioneer SA-600 vs Kenwood KR-5400

snugthej1

snugthej1

New Member
All,

This is my first post and I'm hoping it doesn't belong in the 'Dollars and Sense' section. I'm looking to buy a receiver and have narrowed it down to the Pioneer SA-600 and the Kenwood KR-5400.

I feel like the Pioneer has slightly less power, though I'm still not too knowledgeable about specs (continuous power vs "music power" etc). But frankly I have a little house and don't need this thing to crank up loud. They both have 2 phono, which I want, the Pioneer has 2 aux as well, which I love.

Finally, I already own the Pioneer TX-600 tuner. A quick search tells me this tuner isn't necessarily well-loved, but I am a sucker for aesthetics and I think it's beautiful, especially its blue readout. And the SA-600 it its companion.

So the choice is between the slightly more powerful Kenwood with the groovy green lights and the silver face Pioneer.

Anyone got an opinion? Experience? Wisdom
 
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I've owned both at various times ( I don't have either now). You can't really go wrong. I personally preferred the Kenwood myself, I found the sound a bit warmer and I liked the phono section better, but I've always had a soft spot for Kenwood gear. The Pioneer was no slouch, just a bit brighter with the speakers I was running at the time. But, as you say, the aesthetics of the Pioneer are hard to beat. And it's cool to have a matching amp and tuner. I think at the time I was running Pioneer HPM-40s, which are fairly bright speakers anyway, so the Kenwood may have been taking the edge off a little bit; what speakers are you using?
 
Roypercy said:
I've owned both at various times ( I don't have either now). You can't really go wrong. I personally preferred the Kenwood myself, I found the sound a bit warmer and I liked the phono section better, but I've always had a soft spot for Kenwood gear. The Pioneer was no slouch, just a bit brighter with the speakers I was running at the time. But, as you say, the aesthetics of the Pioneer are hard to beat. And it's cool to have a matching amp and tuner. I think at the time I was running Pioneer HPM-40s, which are fairly bright speakers anyway, so the Kenwood may have been taking the edge off a little bit; what speakers are you using?
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Actually, I'm starting completely from scratch! Long story (which I'm sure I'll end up telling in detail in the ensuing months) short - I was living in a very small apartment in New York and had whittled my stereo down to a turntable into one of those Tivoli Audio Model Two units (through a pre-amp). I'm now living in a not-as-small house in Maine and am rebuilding a proper stereo again. Even going to get a new turntable.

I was leaning toward the Kenwood anyway and the seller is more detailed about work he did on it. "Warmer with a better phono section" sounds like right up my alley. Thanks a lot for the input. I'll keep everyone up-to-date as I build this system.

Any ideas for speakers?
 
I'd suggest the pioneer. You already have the tuner and its makes sense to match them up.
The pioneer is 1972. It looks cap coupled design with T0-3 outputs. Board layout looks simple and should be easy to service. Just make sure all the dial covers are in tact. I've seen plenty without. 19 watts is ample.
The Kenwood is 1975. Full complimentary. Probably a very solid unit. Looks like BJTs on main amp and pre. Relay. Main amp board only one trim pot better check DC offset before purchase.
 
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