Kenwood KA-3080R (1996)
The Kenwood KA-3080R is a stereo integrated amplifier from 1996, sold in Japan for ¥32,000. Documentation on this model is thin. There are no surviving magazine reviews or owner forums in the usual places. The Japanese Audio Database entry gives a reasonably complete picture of what Kenwood was doing with this one.
The design philosophy is stated plainly: this pre-main amplifier was "simplified and shortened thoroughly" for a straightforward signal path. Kenwood's own description points to discrete power transistors in the final stage, with a reinforced power supply for better low-impedance drive. It also lists a pure signal ground line to keep AC ripple and noise away from the audio path, and a "logical flow construction" to minimize the signal path. The circuit board is soft-mounted to resist vibration. A source direct circuit bypasses the tone, balance, and subsonic circuits when you don't need them. There's also a loudness control and an MM phono equalizer.
Rated output is 60W + 60W into 8Ω (40 Hz–20 kHz, both channels driven, 0.06% THD), with THD dropping to 0.01% at 1 kHz into 8Ω at 70W. Damping factor is 42 at 50 Hz. Frequency response for CD, tuner, AUX, and tape inputs runs 5 Hz to 100 kHz (+0/–3 dB). Signal-to-noise is 105 dB on line inputs and 77 dB on phono MM. Tone controls are ±10 dB at 100 Hz (bass) and 10 kHz (treble). Inputs cover phono MM (2.5 mV/47kΩ), CD, tuner, AUX, and two tape loops, with an adaptor input. It weighs 8.0 kg and measures 440 × 123 × 395 mm.
Kenwood's own marketing copy describes the final stage as "composed of discrete power transistors with sufficient margin," and the power supply as strengthened for low-impedance drive. The pure signal ground line is said to keep AC ripple and noise from affecting the audio signal.
A remote control was included. An original service manual is available on the used market, which is about the only servicing documentation that survives. A 2026 listing on the Austrian site willhaben had one at €50 untested. A Russian listing asked 15,000 rubles.
Known specs, such as they are:
- Integrated amplifier ("pre-main amplifier"), 1996, ¥32,000
- 60W + 60W (8Ω, 40 Hz–20 kHz, both channels, THD 0.06%)
- THD 0.01% (1 kHz, 8Ω, 70W)
- Damping factor 42 (50 Hz)
- Frequency response: 5 Hz–100 kHz (+0/–3 dB)
- S/N: 105 dB line, 77 dB phono MM
- Inputs: Phono MM, CD, Tuner, AUX, 2× Tape, Adaptor
- Dimensions: 440 × 123 × 395 mm; 8.0 kg
- Included: remote control
Similar items on eBay
No exact Kenwood KA-3080R listings are live right now — these searches show current Kenwood and similar vintage audio gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Kenwood A-62
- Kenwood A-82
- Kenwood A-92
- Kenwood D-3300A
- Kenwood DA-1100EX
- Eico 3150 (1967)
- Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA-I (K-14/K-15) (1957)
- Fisher CUSTOM-ELECTRA IV (E33/E44) (1960)
- Akai AM-2400 (1978)
- Akai AM-2600 (1977)