Found some Vintage(Hopefully) gear...

S

Suds

Junior Audioholic
Well, I found some vintage audio gear browsing through the Grand Parents stash and I am curious if it's any good. A quick search on Google didn't bring much up, so I figured I'd ask around. Here is what I found, Not necessarily all Amp/Receivers, but I am most interested in the Integrated Amp.

  • Kenwood KA-32B Integrated Amp
  • Kenwood KT-42B Synthesizer Tuner
  • Kenwood KX-32B Cassette Deck
  • Kenwood JL-630W 3-Way Speakers(2 of 'em)
  • Kenwood KD-12RB Auto Return Turntable
  • BSR Model EQ-5000 Equalizer

They says most of it is about 15-20 years old. I am really curious to see if the Integrated Amp is any good, as it would save me $200 or so building my current setup. I'm thinking about taking most of it off their hands, cleaning it up and bit and putting it to use.

Anyone know anything about these? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I wish I could throw some pictures up, but it may be awhile before I have a camera to do so. =\
 
D

dvdchance

Audiophyte
You will get a much better response to any vintage gear questions over at audiokarma.com forums.

They even have a vintage solid state specific forum.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
Well, since you struck out twice, I'll take a stab.

If Audiokarma didn't get any info for ya, you're really SOL.

First off, I'm not familiar with the equipment itself but I do have some familiarity with the market since the early 60's. Here's my guess, and why.

The fact that it's a synthisized FM tuer pretty much rules out the golden age of the seventies amd plants us firmly somewhere in the dark ages of eighties.

In the eithties, many manufactures prostituted their formally good names and churned out mediocre (and I'm being charitable here) rack, or all-in-one system packages. This includes Fisher, Marantz, Scott, Fisher and who knows who else along with Kenwood., all turned out some impressively gaudy looking, underpreforming stuff.

I believe that CD's quickly became part of the mainstream by the mid eighties. Since a CD player is not part of the system, I'd have to place it somewhere in the first half of the eighties or part of a low-line system in the later part of that decade.

As for the speakers, many that were designed as part of "the system" were designed to look impressive, yet still tended to lack somewhat on the sound. IOW, more and bigger is not always better.

It ain't no Marantz 7C/8B/10b combo but if you're not paying a bundle for this, it's a decent starting point. As long as they are not dependent on each other for power, you can upgrade each piece as you see fit. I'd most likely start with the speakers.
 
D

dvdchance

Audiophyte
In the eithties, many manufactures prostituted their formally good names and churned out mediocre (and I'm being charitable here) rack, or all-in-one system packages. This includes Fisher, Marantz, Scott, Fisher and who knows who else along with Kenwood., all turned out some impressively gaudy looking, underpreforming stuff.
That's so true. I came across a nice looking Marantz Integrate amp from their "Legend" series from the late 80's, wow what crap. It looked real nice with a light gold coloured front and weighed a ton, but that's it.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Well, I found some vintage audio gear browsing through the Grand Parents stash and I am curious if it's any good. A quick search on Google didn't bring much up, so I figured I'd ask around. Here is what I found, Not necessarily all Amp/Receivers, but I am most interested in the Integrated Amp.

  • Kenwood KA-32B Integrated Amp
  • Kenwood KT-42B Synthesizer Tuner
  • Kenwood KX-32B Cassette Deck
  • Kenwood JL-630W 3-Way Speakers(2 of 'em)
  • Kenwood KD-12RB Auto Return Turntable
  • BSR Model EQ-5000 Equalizer

They says most of it is about 15-20 years old. I am really curious to see if the Integrated Amp is any good, as it would save me $200 or so building my current setup. I'm thinking about taking most of it off their hands, cleaning it up and bit and putting it to use.

Anyone know anything about these? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I wish I could throw some pictures up, but it may be awhile before I have a camera to do so. =\
The integrated amp and tuner should be usable. The Kenwood turntable may be at a push. The rest is junk.
 
C

chadnliz

Senior Audioholic
It would make a good garage system but thats about it, sorry but you didnt find much of any value but finding any gear is cool none the less. Atleast if you put it in your gargage or workshop you dont have to worry about it being damaged by dust and weather and it may sound ok for working on your car and stuff..........plus you get to keep some stuff that was your Grandparents.
 
S

Suds

Junior Audioholic
Thanks for all the responses. I didn't expect any of it to be worth much, I was mainly curious to see if the Integrated Amp was any good. I went ahead and got a receiver instead though. It was all free, so I'm not disappointing. :p

Again, thanks for the responses.
 
P

pearsall001

Full Audioholic
It's pretty cool finding some vintage gear. I myself just stumbled on to a vintage Nikko Alpha VI amp about two months ago (manuf date of 3/80). Now mind you I don't know the first thing about vintage gear or how to evaluate it, but for the price the fellow (original owner) was asking I just took a stab & grabed it Boy am I glad I did, it is in "mint" condition w/ original box & manual & looks absolutely gorgeous, man those meters are flawless.

The fellows over at AK on the vintage forum said that I found a real gem & to hold on to it. In fact, for the price I paid for it they said that I literally stole it, a few of them were chomping at the bit over it. It's rated at over 300w/8ohm & is a pure mono design. From info from those guys they told me it was actually designed by Luxman for Nikko.

Let me tell you it sounds & performs absolutely awesome.

So I guess unless you really know the value of vintage gear it's a crap shoot if you make the purchase. I guess I got lucky on this one.

Look around on different forums to get some knowledgable feedback on the gear you just acquired.
 
TapeMaster

TapeMaster

Audioholic
All the KENWOOD gear is Fantastic stuff. The BSR Eq is junk
 

Latest posts

newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top