If memory serves me well, my recollections of that time tell me that neither were paragons of reliability during that period. But, of the two I'd probably go for the Sony.
Kenwood actually had two stores in this area (that I'm aware of) that just sold their factory refurbs and nothing else. Now, if they had enough return/repair/resells to support at least two stores within twenty miles of each other, well, do the math.