Kenwood KT-917 (1979–1981)
At 15 kg, it lands on the rack hard. This is not a tuner for the timid.
Overview
The Kenwood KT-917 FM Stereo Tuner came out in 1979 from Trio-Kenwood Inc. It was built to anchor high-end systems at the peak of analog fidelity. It cost $1,000 (or 2'798 DM) at launch, a lot of money then, and it was aimed at serious listeners. Owners report a commanding physicality, not just in the 15 kg mass but in the way it dominates a rack with its industrial proportions and utilitarian front panel. It was designed to pair with amplifiers like the Kenwood KA-907, and it was engineered for a full Kenwood reference setup, though it works fine on its own. There are no flashy features and little cosmetic refinement. Its reputation has still grown steadily among collectors, helped by anecdotes of “amazing dynamics and tonality” and descriptions of it as an “over-the-top” performer.
One of the few documented technical details is the MC1496 IC, a Balanced Modulator-Demodulator chip used in the FM detection circuit. It handles stereo decoding, and its failure is a known issue. When it goes bad, the tuner can no longer decode stereo signals at all. According to service logs, repair is complicated by physical access, specifically the difficulty of lifting the board where the IC is mounted. That suggests a tightly packed internal layout, typical of high-density Japanese designs from the era, where engineering efficiency sometimes came at the expense of serviceability.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Kenwood |
| Product type | FM Stereo Tuner |
| Years of manufacture | 1979–1981 |
| Weight | 15 kg |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 460 x 161 x 463 mm |
| Power consumption | 50 W |
Collectibility & Value
The Kenwood KT-917 occupies a niche but growing space in the vintage audio market. One recent listing offered an excellent-condition trade-in unit with warranty for $999.95, nearly matching its original $1,000 price tag from 1979. At the other end, users have reported picking up units for as little as $80 from local marketplaces, often in original condition with only minor cosmetic wear. Prices swing that widely because provenance and restoration status vary. There is no widespread data on failure rates or spare parts availability, so long-term ownership carries some risk, particularly given the documented sensitivity of the MC1496 IC and the mechanical challenges of getting at the internal boards.
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