Kenwood KA-500 (1980 - 1982)
A heavy integrated amplifier with a silver face and a wide frequency response.
Overview
The Kenwood KA-500 weighs 7.6kg. It was not meant to be tucked away in a corner. Reportedly made around 1980 to 1982, this stereo integrated amp comes from an era that put power consumption and frequency range ahead of compact packaging. It has a silver face.
During production the amp drew approximately 300 watts. That points to a big power supply with plenty of reserve for the speakers, even though the rated output is lower. The frequency characteristic runs from 10Hz to 80kHz. That was a wide band, standard for high-fidelity gear of the period, and it gave bass extension and extended highs without the limits of earlier tube designs. Dimensions are 440 x 133 x 281 mm, a chassis sized for standard rack or shelf spaces, with room inside for cooling and transformer isolation.
The original retail price was reportedly approximately 500 DM. The model is known for its build quality and straightforward operation. Documentation on specific input types and damping factors is sparse in public archives. Source sites like hifi-wiki.com and theturntablestore.com reference it often.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Kenwood |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz to 80kHz |
| Power Consumption | 300 watts |
| Dimensions | 440 x 133 x 281 mm (WxHxD) |
| Weight | 7.6kg |
| Original Price Approx. | 500 DM |
Collectibility & Value
Current market prices hover around a regular price of $150.00 USD, though auction listings vary with condition. A service manual and schematic are available, so owners can repair the unit without reverse-engineering the internal circuitry.
Output is 43 watts per channel into 8Ω, which is modest by modern standards. The 300 watts of power consumption points to a substantial internal power supply that can drive low impedance loads effectively.
Service manuals are available for download. The original price was 500 DM, from a time when Japanese manufacturing standards were high.
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