Kenwood KA-4060R (1994–1996)

Name: Kenwood KA-4060R
Brand: Kenwood

The Kenwood KA-4060R is a stereo integrated amplifier from the mid-1990s, produced roughly from 1994 to 1996 and sold originally for ¥49,800. It sits in an odd spot in the Kenwood catalog. It's late enough to be fully remote-controlled, but the circuitry is discrete and uncompromising, like the company's earlier separates. It came with the RC-AD400 remote control unit, whose keys mirror the main unit's functions.

It's rated at 60 watts per channel into 8Ω and 70W into 4Ω, both at 0.06% THD from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Total harmonic distortion is measured at 0.03% at 1 kHz into 8Ω. (Some sources list the 4Ω output as 90W per channel.) The phono stage handles both MM (2.5mV/47kΩ) and MC (0.2mV/100Ω) cartridges. That was already disappearing from integrated amps by this price point in the mid-90s. Frequency response runs from 5 Hz to 90 kHz (+0/ - 3 dB) on the line inputs, and signal-to-noise is rated at 81dB (EIAJ) / 105dB (IHF-A) for CD, tuner, AUX, and tape sources. It draws 160W, weighs 7.9kg, and measures 440 × 136.5 × 351 mm.

Kenwood's design notes say the KA-4060R borrowed technology from their higher-end "Super C 4" line. The power stage uses MOS-FETs in the driver section. Per the company's literature, they were chosen for high input resistance and low switching distortion in class AB operation. There's an f-shaped slit cut into the volume mount to damp natural vibration. There's also a "NEW signal ground line" to keep AC ripple and noise out of the audio path, a relay-based input selector with logical flow construction, and a Source Direct switch to bypass the tone circuitry entirely.

Documentation on this model is thin. No period magazine reviews have surfaced, and the production dates come from the price listing and a single 1995 reference rather than a catalog. What does exist is a 15-page service manual that circulates among collectors (a copy sold on eBay in late 2023 for €18), and at least two YouTube repair videos, one of which has drawn over 2,000 views. If you own one and have the owner's manual or measured performance data, the Archive would welcome the details.

Known specifications: