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Kenwood repair

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Posted on December 11, 2014 at 23:49:07
KenwoodClassic
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Location: Houston, Texas
Joined: December 11, 2014
 Hi all. New to the forum and the reason I joined was to hopefully get some information regarding Kenwood amps and where in Houston Texas someone could get one repaired. About my system, it's a 1987 year model KM-106 amp paired with a set of Klipsch Epic CF-2's. The control amp is still working but the power amp started "squeaking" out of one channel and eventually failed. The other channel works fine. I'm looking for a repair shop that can restore it to factory specs. I've considered replacing but from what I've compared with the newer amps I haven't been able to find any with specs competitive to this.....

125 watts per channel 8 ohms
THD 0.03 at rated power, 0.015@1/2 power, 0.002@1/2 power 1khz
Intermodulation distortion 0.002 at rated power
Frequency response 5Hz to 200khz +0 -3db
Power bandwidth 0.2thd 8ohms 10hz to 50khz
Signal to noise ratio 120 db
Dampening factor 35@50hz

I'm not an audio expert so correct me if I'm wrong but I think the specs on this amp are pretty good. Nothing compares to the sound this combination produces. Crytal clear up to nine on the volume control if your ears can handle it. I still use a turntable since we all know that's the best medium for music and this classic amp was made for vinyl. So sorry for the long post but I really miss sitting back and putting on a good record and melting into the music. Mp3's streamed over the bluetooth Sony soundbar just don't cut it for me. Is there anyone that can repair this amp?

 

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RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 12, 2014 at 07:59:18
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 Just being straight with you, that Kenwood amp isn't anything special, it was used in Kenwood's "rack systems". Remember around 87 give or take the big thing was buying the rack systems, all the components in a rack? If you had a Kenwood Basic series or something like that it may be worth a repair bill but I'd just replace that amp. On the used market an Adcom or Parasound would easily improve your system from the Kenwood. Parasound or Marantz power amps new should be a good option as well in new.

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 12, 2014 at 13:20:03
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...IMO specs can give you the basics about an amp but matching it to your speakers requires hearing the two together and comparing others for the best match.

 

Capacitors, posted on December 12, 2014 at 15:01:59
djk
Manufacturer

Posts: 6135
Joined: June 17, 2000
 Probably needs the electrolytics replaced, that's all.

A DIY job if you can solder.

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 12, 2014 at 17:33:02
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 8313
Location: Seattle
Joined: June 18, 2004
 Borrow a low power tube amp.

Specifications don't say much about how an amp sounds. You can just add feedback to lower the THD till you're happy, but that won't necessarily make the best sounding amp.

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 12, 2014 at 19:34:00
KenwoodClassic
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Location: Houston, Texas
Joined: December 11, 2014
 Maybe some confusion here. This amp sounds wonderful paired with the epic speakers. It's tried and true that's why I want to get it repaired instead of buying a new amp. I've seen the amp on ebay for around 100 bucks. Maybe that's my nest option?

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 12, 2014 at 23:07:07
djk
Manufacturer

Posts: 6135
Joined: June 17, 2000
 It's not rational to buy another 35 year old amplifier, just replace the caps in yours.

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 13, 2014 at 21:47:19
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 If you can't fix your Kenwood economically, I would recommend buying a new Parasound Halo A23. I'm sure it will sound as good or better than your Kenwood. I have a fairly high-end system and I use a Parasound Halo A21, which has 250-wpc instead of 125-wpc like the A23. It sounds absolutely superb in my system. Check out the Parasound Halo A23.

Good luck,
John Elison

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 13, 2014 at 22:09:33
KenwoodClassic
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Location: Houston, Texas
Joined: December 11, 2014
 Thanks. How do you think the parasound amp would sound pushing a Marantz 6300 turntable? I'll still be using my Kenwood preamp. I'm real skechy about trying something new. I know and love the sound and clarity of mine but if I can't get it repaired I'll guess I'll have to jump ship.

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 13, 2014 at 23:15:49
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I don't know what you mean by "pushing a Marantz 6300 turntable." The amplifier powers ("pushes") the speakers. My Parasound Halo A21 sounds very good in my system, which includes vinyl and digital as depicted below.




 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 14, 2014 at 06:46:50
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Get another one on Ebay. It's not like we are talking about spending big bucks. Since you like that amp you should stick with it!

 

RE: Kenwood repair, posted on December 15, 2014 at 08:26:41
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 I sold Kenwood during the era of this amp, the A23 is a huge improvement, diffferent league. The A23 would be a waste if not eventually upgrading the preamp. A nice new replacement for less money and still a nice improvement would be the Marantz stereo amp, I forget the model number. The thing is if you like the Kenwood you'll love the marantz & be in disbelief with the A23. The KM series are not bad amps they just aren't anything special. The components in the rack systems were fairly cheap to meet price points. The rack systems was a sales technique, a person could buy the entire system with speakers and the rack in one package. Think of the KM stuff as Kenwood's entry level, it wasn't even on par with their own component gear. I think you'd be thrilled with most any current new amp, however, to be sure, just buy from a retailer who would allow a return if not happy. Most any online retailer does that.

 

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