Kenwood KX-5050 (1992)
Documentation on the Kenwood KX-5050 is scattered. European and Russian listings leave enough of a trail to sketch a reasonable picture. It appears to have been a single-capstan, full-logic stereo cassette deck from around 1992. It came in at least two finishes - one source lists a black version, another a titanium-colored one, so Kenwood likely made both.
The deck used three motors, a motorized cassette loader, and an aluminum front panel. It carried Dolby B/C noise reduction with HX-Pro, plus the usual late-era niceties: digital metering, an electronic tape counter, a multiplex filter switch, peak search, A-B repeat, and a display on/off switch. One German listing gives a bias frequency of 105 kHz, frequency response of 20 Hz–19 kHz (±3 dB), and a signal-to-noise ratio of 73 dB. A Russian seller described the unit as having "very good cosmetics for its age." A period review quoted on Ters Audio was complimentary about the sound, saying it "breathes air and space."
Several basics are missing: original price, dimensions, weight, wow & flutter, head configuration. The 1992 date comes from a single Avito listing, so treat it as approximate. Asking prices vary a lot. One Russian listing asked 23,000 ₽, a Polish one 400 zł, and a refurbished unit in Germany went for 209 €. Manuals are available from a few sources, and spares are listed as obtainable through Kenwood's website or authorized retailers.
Known specs
- Type: Stereo cassette deck, single capstan, full logic control
- Motors: 3
- Noise reduction: Dolby B/C with HX-Pro
- Bias frequency: 105 kHz
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 19 kHz, ±3 dB
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 73 dB
- Features: Digital meters, peak search, A-B repeat, multiplex filter, electronic tape counter, motorized loading, remote-capable
- Finishes: Black and titanium (both documented)
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