Kenwood KT-1300 (1977)

Name: Kenwood KT-1300
Brand: Kenwood

The Kenwood KT-1300 is a solid-state AM/FM stereo tuner from 1977. The record on it is thin. Most of what survives comes from a handful of classified listings and a HiFi Engine manual entry, not period reviews or manufacturer documentation. It appears Kenwood offered the KT-1300 in at least two cosmetic variants, the KT-1300B and KT-1300G, both on the same basic tuner platform. The "B" version was explicitly marketed to match the KA-1200B amplifier, which suggests it belonged to a coordinated component series.

Here is what's documented about the KT-1300G's performance. FM sensitivity is rated at 3µV, with a 60dB signal-to-noise ratio and 0.8% distortion on FM. Selectivity is listed at 41dB (FM) and 26dB (MW). The tuning scale is analogue, with FM coverage from 88 to 108 MHz. The frequency response spec begins at 50Hz but is truncated in the surviving source, so the upper limit is unknown. The KT-1300G is described as made in Japan, "solid state," and in good working condition with the dial lamps functioning. One seller notes only dust inside the tuner screen, which doesn't affect performance.

One caution for collectors: the model number KT-1300 was also used by Kenwood for a completely different product, the KT-1300HT center speaker (120 watts, 8 ohms, plastic cabinet). If you're searching for the tuner, look for the KT-1300B or KT-1300G suffix, or you'll pull up the wrong component.

Beyond its listing in period equipment directories and a 2019 manual upload to HiFi Engine, almost nothing else is recorded about this model. No dimensions, weight, original price, or reception history has surfaced in the available documentation.