Kenwood KT-990 (1980s)
The Kenwood KT-990 is a quartz-synthesizer AM/FM stereo tuner from the late 1980s. It's black, it has a digital display, and it has become something of a sleeper among vintage tuner enthusiasts. The record on this model is thin, and a naming split complicates it. The KT-990 and the KT-990D appear to be closely related variants, and the "D" version is the one most commonly documented. A service manual dated 1988 exists for the KT-990D, and the Tuner Information Center lists that variant's original price at $375.
What's known about the design: the KT-990D uses a PLL detector and Kenwood's "Direct Pure" linear multiplying circuit, built around an MC 1495L chip. It earned a #9 rating in the Tuner Information Center's well-known shootout. The Tuner Information Center described the KT-990D as a "humdrum-looking black digital tuner" that was "somewhat of a sleeper until Jim's Shootout hit the presses," and it remains fairly common on the used market. A Europe/UK radio version was also produced.
One enthusiast on AudioAsylum recommended the KT-990D specifically, noting it or the lower-cost KT-880D as a solid choice among Kenwood tuners, with the caveat that "you must have the 'D' in the tuner number." The "D" suffix appears to matter, though the reasons aren't fully documented.
The KT-990 SDL variant is described as a black unit with digital display, station memory, and continuously variable wide/narrow bandwidth switching. The KT-990D offers wide/narrow bandwidth switching as well.
Beyond this, the record goes quiet. No detailed FM sensitivity, THD, or signal-to-noise figures surfaced in the documentation available. No dimensions, weight, or production run dates turned up either, beyond the 1988 service manual date. The schematic-heavy service manual (45 pages, in English) appears to be the deepest source of information on this tuner that exists.
Known specs
- Type: AM/FM stereo tuner
- Tuning: quartz synthesizer
- Detector: PLL
- Display: digital
- Bandwidth switching: wide/narrow (continuously variable on SDL variant)
- Inputs: FM antenna, AM antenna
- Outputs: stereo RCA (Cinch)
- Original price (KT-990D): $375
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Kenwood KR 3200 (1973-1975)
- Kenwood KR 3400 (1977-1979)
- Kenwood KR 4070 (1977-1979)
- Kenwood KR 4200 (1975-1977)
- Kenwood KR 4130 (1977-1979)
- Marantz 1515 (1976-1978)
- Marantz 4220 (1974-1976)
- Marantz 4230 (1974-1976)
- Marantz HD 440 (1976-1977)
- Pioneer SX 300 (1971-1972)