Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Vintage Kenwood KA 7100? Opinions?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Vintage Kenwood KA 7100? Opinions?

post #1 of 12
8/23/08 at 3:24am
Thread Starter 
Hey all,

I found this old amp at an estate sale, I didnt buy it, but I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on it? I believe its in that "old, but kick A--" relm. but I'm not sure, I cant find any real info on it online. From what I have found, people say its pretty solid, with great quality electronics. What do you guys think? is it worth 80 bucks? or is that just a waste of money? I dont really "need" it. but I would hate to find out later that it kicked a--.
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 12
8/23/08 at 7:39am
Most of the 70s Kenwood integrated amps are very highly regarded by vintage enthusiasts. I owned a Kenwood very similar in look to a 7100 years ago (sorry, I can't remember the model) that was a great little amp. Get it cleaned and serviced and it will probably serve you well for years.

Tim
Reply
post #3 of 12
8/23/08 at 7:45am
Impressions here.
I owned all of the mentioned amps and the impressions are spot on.
The KA-7100 is warm, a bit laid back and very powerful. First rate amp.
Reply
post #4 of 12
8/23/08 at 8:44am
I bought a KA-7100 when the amp first came out in 1978. I thought this was a great amp. I used the 7100 up until the late 1980s before I gave the amp to my brother .... and he continued to use the amp through most of the 1990s. I have thought about getting another to see if my fond memories of the amp would still hold true.
Reply
post #5 of 12
8/23/08 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 
I was thinking of using this as a dedicated hp amp. what do you think? I could run my speakers through it, but I already have a decent amp for that. any comment on the hp port?
Reply
post #6 of 12
8/23/08 at 1:46pm
All I can say is try it. The odds are pretty good that it has a good headphone out. Of course the odds are also pretty good that it needs a good cleaning and a couple of new capacitors. An hour's benchtime with a good tech would probably be a great investment.

Tim
Reply
post #7 of 12
8/23/08 at 3:02pm
I inherited a KA-8100 and it's a nice unit for being free but not much more then that. I've used it to drive adapter boxes as well as the various iso-dynamic and normal dynamic phones I've had and it's edgy, cold and sterile sounding. Use it with an overly warm source and transducers and you might find it adequate but it will never come close to a good SS headphone amp.
Reply
post #8 of 12
8/23/08 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfarney View Post
All I can say is try it. The odds are pretty good that it has a good headphone out. Of course the odds are also pretty good that it needs a good cleaning and a couple of new capacitors. An hour's benchtime with a good tech would probably be a great investment.

Tim

x2

I'm betting that you can't beat this for $150 ($80 plus a tech fee to clean). I remember this as being a very well-respected amp, but I don't know about the headphone jack.
Reply
post #9 of 12
8/23/08 at 6:18pm
Its a pure-DC ICL OCL amp. With dual power supplies. Try finding that today for 80 bucks. I have the 8100 and its a killer amp.
Reply
post #10 of 12
8/23/08 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 
Hey thanks everybody, I decided to pass it up. it was at an estate sale, and I only had till 3 anyway. I figured if it was some awesome hidden treasure, I would snatch it up, but it seems we're about 50/50 on it, and I dont really NEED it. But on the upside, I was glad I was correct about trusting and turning to the people on head-fi. You guys are a knowledge base second to none. Thanks again. and keep an eye on ebay, that thing may show up soon! Lol, have at it.
Reply
post #11 of 12
8/23/08 at 11:44pm
Hmm, I'm surprised you feel that way Spritzer. My 8100 is too laid back and warm, if anything. I'd try changing out the four 10,000 uF @ 56volt filter caps if it sounds thin.
Reply
post #12 of 12
8/24/08 at 10:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunseeker888 View Post
Hmm, I'm surprised you feel that way Spritzer. My 8100 is too laid back and warm, if anything. I'd try changing out the four 10,000 uF @ 56volt filter caps if it sounds thin.
It isn't thin but just cold and nasty sounding. All the caps have been replaced with Nichicon and Elna units but this is an ok amp for the price and nothing more.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Vintage Kenwood KA 7100? Opinions?