KLH Model 30 (1970–1974)
The KLH Model 30 is a solid-state AM/FM stereo receiver that KLH produced from 1970 to 1974. It was a substantial piece of equipment for its day, rated at 75 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and originally sold for around $450 (some sources list $449.95) — a serious investment at the time. This was KLH stepping firmly into the receiver market, a category the company had been building toward after years of success with speakers.
Surviving documentation is modest, but the record that exists is consistent: the Model 30 was a high-fidelity unit with a 20Hz–20kHz frequency response, 0.1% THD (some sources list 0.2% at rated power), and a signal-to-noise ratio of 75dB on phono and 85dB on FM. The phono stage was a particular point of pride — it supported both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, with sensitivities of 2.5mV (MM) and 0.3mV (MC), and impedances of 47k ohms and 100 ohms respectively. The tuner section was rated with 2.0µV FM sensitivity, and the damping factor came in at 40.
Contemporary owner accounts and later reviews paint a consistent picture of the Model 30's character: warm, detailed sound that suits vinyl playback, a quiet and well-implemented phono stage with no noticeable hum, and a tuner that pulls in stations clearly. Build quality is praised — a solid metal faceplate and sturdy knobs — and the unit has earned a reputation as reliable and musical. That said, the usual vintage-receiver caveats apply: worn capacitors, dirty switches, and aging transistors are the common failure points. A recap of the power supply and amplifier sections is said to significantly improve sound quality. Parts availability is a point of disagreement between sources — some say many parts are still available, others say replacement parts can be difficult to find — so prospective buyers should go in with eyes open.
Physically, the Model 30 was a full-width component measuring roughly 17 inches wide, 5.5 inches tall, and 12–13.75 inches deep, weighing in the neighborhood of 24–26 pounds. Sources differ slightly on the exact dimensions and weight, but it was a standard-size receiver for the period. On the current market, a good working example typically changes hands for $250 to $500, depending on condition and seller.
It's worth noting that Audio (February 1973, p.17) ran KLH advertising from this era touting the company's receivers as delivering "an inordinate amount of performance at a very modest price" — a positioning that fits the Model 30's place in the lineup as a high-output receiver at a reasonable cost.
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