Kenwood KA-1001G (c. 1995)

Name: Kenwood KA-1001G
Brand: Kenwood

The Kenwood KA-1001G is a compact integrated amplifier from Kenwood's "K's series," released around 1995 at an original price of ¥60,000. The paper trail is thin. There are no production years beyond that approximate date, no magazine reviews, and no owner impressions in the usual places. What exists is a solid set of specifications from a single detailed source (audio-database.com), plus a Russian used-market listing that confirms the basics.

The design philosophy, per the period literature, was deliberately minimalist. The K's series pre-main amplifier was "designed to play music by focusing on the minimum necessary functions." The chassis is compact - 270 mm wide, 136 mm high, 346 mm deep, weighing 7.6 kg - with real engineering underneath. The output stage is fully discrete, using multi-emitter (L.A.P.T.) transistors in the final stage for linearity and low coloration. A toroidal transformer replaces the conventional EI-core type, and the volume control is machined from solid aluminum. The front panel is 5 mm extruded material, the chassis 1.6 mm steel, the rear panel 1.2 mm. According to the documentation, all of it was chosen to improve both strength and sound quality.

The KA-1001G is rated at 40W + 40W into 8Ω (20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09% THD), with EIAJ practical maximum power of 75W + 75W into 4Ω and 55W + 55W into 8Ω. Distortion is specified at 0.009% (1 kHz, 20W, 8Ω). The line (CD) frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 80 kHz (+0/−3 dB). Signal-to-noise ratios are respectable for the era: 78 dB (phono MM), 100 dB (line/CD), and 103 dB in CD Direct mode. Inputs are phono MM (2.5 mV/47kΩ), line/CD (250 mV/47kΩ), and an adapter loop. Outputs are tape rec (200 mV/270Ω) and a subwoofer pre-out (1.8V/600Ω).

A relay-type CD Direct function bypasses unnecessary circuitry for cleaner CD playback. The N.B. (Natural Base Circuit) gives adjustable bass control centered between 40 Hz and 90 Hz, ±10 dB. Gold-plated RCA jacks and banana-plug speaker terminals are fitted. The included multi-function remote can operate a CD player, an optional cassette deck, and tuner presets. The unit runs on 100 VAC (50/60 Hz) and draws 100W rated power, so anyone outside Japan will need to keep that in mind.

Beyond the specs, the record is quiet. No service manual specific to the KA-1001G has surfaced, no collector market data exists beyond a single used listing, and no one has written about how it sounds. If you own one, the Archive would like to hear from you.

Known specifications, such as they are: