Kenwood A-82 (1985–1987)
The Kenwood A-82 is an integrated amplifier from the mid-1980s. Kenwood itself described it as an "original" design - a Japanese brand choosing not to order OEM or follow marketplace trends, but to stick to its own vision. Documentation on this model is thin. Almost all of it comes from a single retrospective review site (Kenrock), but what that source records is specific and unusual.
The core idea behind the A-82 was a "pre-amp / power amp separate design" in a single chassis. A conventional integrated amp has both sections sharing one enclosed space. The A-82 used a two-room internal structure instead. Kenrock notes this approach was chosen "for the few who listen more carefully," and describes the internal head amp design as a type that, at the time, could be seen in high-end separate units. It's rated as a DC amplifier, meaning no coupling capacitors in the main signal path.
Power output is substantial: 100W RMS per channel into 8 ohms and 150W into 4 ohms, both from 20Hz-20kHz. THD is stated at 0.004% at 100W. Frequency response runs from 5Hz-100kHz (+0dB/-1dB). The phono stage offers both MM and MC via a rear-panel toggle switch - MM at 2.5mV/47kΩ and MC at 0.2mV/100Ω. Line-level inputs (CD, tuner, aux, tape) accept 150mV/47kΩ. Signal-to-noise is rated at 80dB for phono and 105dB for line sources.
Tone controls are modest. Bass and treble each give ±8dB (at 100Hz and 10kHz respectively). There is a subsonic filter at 15Hz (12dB/oct), and loudness compensation adds +6dB at 100Hz and +3dB at 10kHz. The unit measures 420 × 148 × 354mm and weighs 9.8kg.
No original retail price, production quantities, or owner reviews have survived in the record. The A-82 appears to have been a relatively uncommon model, and its reputation today rests almost entirely on that single retrospective assessment. If you own one, the Archive would welcome more details.
- Integrated amplifier, 1985–1987
- 100W/ch into 8Ω; 150W/ch into 4Ω (20Hz–20kHz)
- THD: 0.004% at 100W
- MM and MC phono inputs via rear toggle
- DC amplifier design, no coupling capacitors
- 420W × 148H × 354D mm; 9.8kg
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