Kenwood KA-7010 (1988–1990)
The Kenwood KA-7010 is a stereo integrated amplifier produced from 1988 to 1990, sold in Japan for ¥63,700. It sat at the top of Kenwood's amplifier line for that period, above the KA-5010 with a £90 price premium. As hifi-review.com noted, the costlier model offered "under a decibel more power" than its cheaper sibling, and the reviewer concluded "the cheaper model remains the better buy."
The power supply is where Kenwood put the effort. The amp has two dedicated transformers - one for the positive rail, one for the negative - with a combined capacity of 420 VA, feeding four 7,500 µF ELNA electrolytic capacitors totaling 30,000 µF. The output stage uses Sanken 2SA1216 / 2SC2922 transistors rated at 200W each, chosen to improve drive performance under low-impedance loads. Kenwood also applied its "Pure Signal Ground Line" star-earthing topology, which keeps the music signal and power ground lines separate to avoid distortion from ground currents. The output stage is mechanically decoupled from the main PCB with flying leads. A source direct circuit bypasses the tone controls entirely.
Rated output is 100W + 100W into 8Ω (THD 0.06%) and 110W + 110W into 6Ω (THD 0.08%). Dynamic power figures are 125W into 8Ω, 200W into 4Ω, and 270W into 2Ω. THD at 1kHz into 8Ω is rated at a remarkably low 0.001% at 100W. Frequency response runs from 5Hz to 100kHz (+0/ - 3dB), and the damping factor is 160 at 50Hz. The phono stage handles both MM (2.5mV/47kΩ) and MC (200µV/100Ω) cartridges. The MC headamp uses an FET input followed by a dual NJM4560D op-amp in series-feedback equalization. Signal-to-noise ratios are 78dB (MM), 73dB (MC), and 80dB (line) per EIAJ standards. Tone controls offer ±10dB at 100Hz (bass) and 10kHz (treble). There is a subsonic filter at 18Hz (6dB/octave) and a "bus intensifier" providing 9dB at 20Hz and 3dB at 100Hz.
The front panel has a - 20dB muting facility, and the rear carries two sets of chunky 4mm speaker terminals. Kenwood added a further strip of cast alloy heatsinking beyond what the KA-5010 used. The satin-black fascia, volume control, and selector knobs are the same as on the 5010. The reviewer suspected that sharing parts helped keep production costs down.
Reception was mixed. The review found the amplifier "more obviously detailed" than the 5010 but "less well balanced," with the upper mid and treble standing out ahead of the lower mid and bass. Bass resolution was described as "softened, bloated and lumpy," and listeners commented on restricted stereo depth. The MM input was preferred over MC, which added "a hint of extra sibilance and graininess." Russian sellers are kinder. They describe the sound as "rich, juicy" with good bass control, and one called it "a top amplifier of the late 80s."
The amplifier was only available for a short period. Service manuals still circulate, and used units appear periodically on the Russian market, with Avito listings ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 ₽. Original Japanese-market units run on 100V AC. Some sellers list 220V units, which are likely converted or brought from Europe. One listing offered a step-down transformer alongside the amp, which supports the 100V original spec.
Known specifications:
- Rated output: 100W + 100W (8Ω, THD 0.06%); 110W + 110W (6Ω, THD 0.08%)
- Dynamic power: 125W (8Ω), 200W (4Ω), 270W (2Ω)
- THD (1kHz, 8Ω, 100W): 0.001%
- Frequency response: 5Hz–100kHz (+0/–3dB)
- Damping factor: 160 (50Hz)
- Input sensitivity: 2.5mV (MM), 200µV (MC), 150mV (line)
- S/N ratio (EIAJ): 78dB (MM), 73dB (MC), 80dB (line)
- Dimensions: 440 × 148 × 398mm
- Weight: 15kg
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