Kenwood KT-6005 (1977)

The Kenwood KT-6005 is a solid FM/AM stereo tuner from 1977. It was a middle-of-the-line separate, and Kenwood pitched it alongside its matching KA-6004 amplifier. Kenwood's own advertising in the period pushed the engineering under the hood: a double-switching demodulator system in the MPX stage, said to eliminate phase drift between main and sub-signals for better stereo separation, plus an FM IF stage with better than 80 dB selectivity and a capture ratio of just 1.3 dB. High Fidelity (September 1972, p.112) ran that same advertising message, presenting the KT-6005 as a "top performer" at a moderate price for those who preferred separates over receivers.

The technical record from Pete's Vintage Audio Lab shows a well-specified analog tuner. The front end uses dual-gate MOSFETs with a 4-gang tuning capacitor. It feeds an FM IF section with five ceramic filters and an IC detector. A phase-locked-loop multiplex decoder handles stereo. The AM section uses ICs with a built-in ferrite bar antenna. The front panel carries a center-tune meter and a signal strength meter, with signal-actuated muting. The cabinet is walnut vinyl, wrapped around a brushed aluminum faceplate with black knobs.

Key specs as documented:

- **Tuning range:** FM 87.5-108 MHz; AM 530-1600 kHz

- **Usable sensitivity (FM):** 10.3 dBf (1.8 µV)

- **50 dB quieting:** 14.8 dBf mono (2.8 µV); 38.5 dBf stereo (35 µV)

- **S/N ratio:** 75 dB mono; 70 dB stereo

- **Capture ratio:** 1.5 dB

- **Alternate channel selectivity:** 70 dB

- **THD:** 0.15% mono; 0.3% stereo (1 kHz)

- **Stereo separation:** 45 dB (1 kHz)

- **Frequency response:** 30 Hz - 15 kHz ±0.5 dB

- **Output:** 650 mV, 3.9 kΩ (fixed and variable jacks)

- **Power consumption:** 15 W

- **Dimensions:** 17" × 4-1/4" × 10-3/16"

- **Weight:** 8 lbs 6 oz

The original retail price is listed at $249.95, though no year is attached to that figure. A used unit appeared at Pahrump Electronics for $149.99 in good tested condition with "some small cabinet scratches."

Sources conflict on weight. One lists 8 lbs 6 oz and another claims 8.4 kg. The kilogram figure is almost certainly a typo, since 8.4 kg would be roughly 18.5 lbs, far too heavy for a tuner of this class. The lighter figure fits the period's typical tuner weight. Beyond that, the record is thin: no professional lab measurements, no owner forums, no service documentation.