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  1. #1
    AR Newbie Registered Member Beatleeater's Avatar
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    Vintage integrated amp to pair with Bose 301's

    Please, no bose bashing. It is what I have until i upgrade. I am running a goodwill jvc since my old Sony died and am fascinated with getting a 70's made in Japan integrated amp. I have a line on a kenwood ka-7300 (with kt-6500 reciever) and a ka-7100. Both at 200$ and rated 9/10. I am also in the market for a cd player, I have been using a dvd player for 10 years and it is giving in. I know very little about home stereo. I would love to here some thoughts on the amps, subs to go with and future compasitor upgrades on the 301s and far future speaker upgrades.

  2. #2
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beatleeater View Post
    Please, no bose bashing. It is what I have until i upgrade. I am running a goodwill jvc since my old Sony died and am fascinated with getting a 70's made in Japan integrated amp. I have a line on a kenwood ka-7300 (with kt-6500 reciever) and a ka-7100. Both at 200$ and rated 9/10. I am also in the market for a cd player, I have been using a dvd player for 10 years and it is giving in. I know very little about home stereo. I would love to here some thoughts on the amps, subs to go with and future compasitor upgrades on the 301s and far future speaker upgrades.
    The Kenwoods had a very solid reputation back in the day and still do among vintage component fanciers. $200 for either, especially the kenwood ka-7300, is quite reasonable if it is in decent condition. Many would argue, though, that for best sound, (that is, original sound), the power supply electrolytic capacitors ought to be replace; if you aren't a DIYer that will cost you something once you've found a competent technician.

    The Kenwood tuners had, if anything, an even better reputation than their amps. If it works, KT-6500 is a safe bet.




  3. #3
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    Sansui had some really good integrated amps as well.

    You might be surprised how reasonable a new NAD integrated would be, new and still sound good with the 301's.

    What speakers etc. to upgrade to from what you have depends on your budget.

    The old Kenwood CD player may get you by for a short time but digital has come a long way, you could do better with an entry level Marantz or Music Hall.

  4. #4
    AR Newbie Registered Member Beatleeater's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor View Post
    The Kenwoods had a very solid reputation back in the day and still do among vintage component fanciers. $200 for either, especially the kenwood ka-7300, is quite reasonable if it is in decent condition. Many would argue, though, that for best sound, (that is, original sound), the power supply electrolytic capacitors ought to be replace; if you aren't a DIYer that will cost you something once you've found a competent technician.

    The Kenwood tuners had, if anything, an even better reputation than their amps. If it works, KT-6500 is a safe bet.



    I pulled the trigger on th ka 7300 and kt 6500 for $225. Pick them up wed. Thanks for the imput. Seems like a deal.

  5. #5
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Nice pick up! I like the sound of vintage gear. Here is a great buy on an excellent inexpensive Marantz CD player. A friend of mine bought this on my recommendation and it sounds great. I think it would be a great match for your vintage gear.

    MARANTZ CD5005 Compact Disc Player | Accessories4less
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  6. #6
    AR Newbie Registered Member Beatleeater's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
    Nice pick up! I like the sound of vintage gear. Here is a great buy on an excellent inexpensive Marantz CD player. A friend of mine bought this on my recommendation and it sounds great. I think it would be a great match for your vintage gear.

    MARANTZ CD5005 Compact Disc Player | Accessories4less
    Looks like a deal! Thanks for the link

  7. #7
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Beatleeater View Post
    I pulled the trigger on th ka 7300 and kt 6500 for $225. Pick them up wed. Thanks for the imput. Seems like a deal.
    Congratulations. With any luck they will prove to be great vintage components. Personally I love the look of those "silver" era components.

  8. #8
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor View Post
    Congratulations. With any luck they will prove to be great vintage components. Personally I love the look of those "silver" era components.

    I have to agree. I have a 1976 Technic's SU7600 integrated amp in sliver and a Hitachi tuner from the 70's and I love the look. My 1977 Luxman tuner is also beautiful with its silver front and rosewood case.

    The new Yamaha and Technic's gear are throw backs to that era.


    https://www.google.com/search?q=tech...NedwBMWGGgc%3D

    Luxman T-110 Solid State FM Stereo Tuner
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  9. #9
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
    I have to agree. I have a 1976 Technic's SU7600 integrated amp in sliver and a Hitachi tuner from the 70's and I love the look. My 1977 Luxman tuner is also beautiful with its silver front and rosewood case.

    The new Yamaha and Technic's gear are throw backs to that era.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=tech...NedwBMWGGgc%3D

    Luxman T-110 Solid State FM Stereo Tuner
    Yes, the Luxman components were very stylish indeed. I especially like their receivers.



    For me though some of the Pioneer and Kenwood models epitomized the era. For example this SA9100 integrated; note that it's (a) silver, (b) has a nice wood case (which was optional), (c) all rotary and toggle switches -- no pushbuttons. Some of the Kenwoods had UV meters but note that they are analog.






  10. #10
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    That vintage Kenwood and Pioneer gear was nice. Vintage Marantz was my favorite.
    My Technic's Integrated has wood sides. When I bought it, it came down to a similar Kenwood. They both sounded the same to me so I went with the Technic's which was about $10 less and I was on a college student budget back then. The next years model had VU meters.

    My Technic's still sounds good, one of these days I am going to recap it. My son was using it till I gave him my Parasound amp and my AVA preamp.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  11. #11
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven View Post
    That vintage Kenwood and Pioneer gear was nice. Vintage Marantz was my favorite.
    My Technic's Integrated has wood sides. When I bought it, it came down to a similar Kenwood. They both sounded the same to me so I went with the Technic's which was about $10 less and I was on a college student budget back then. The next years model had VU meters.

    My Technic's still sounds good, one of these days I am going to recap it. My son was using it till I gave him my Parasound amp and my AVA preamp.
    The Technics offerings were highly competitive with the other major brands. Technics, along with Yamaha, "pioneered" charcoal-grey faced components, e.g. this SA=300K receiver; Sansui went straight to black on many components. My sentimental preference remains with the silver; to me black-face in the '70s foretold the ubiquitous and generally ugly black components of the '80s and '90s ...


    Sansui's AU-20000 integrated was an over-the-top example in black-face ...

    Last edited by Feanor; 11-23-2015 at 05:44 AM.

  12. #12
    Forum Regular Jack in Wilmington's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    Sansui had some really good integrated amps as well.

    You might be surprised how reasonable a new NAD integrated would be, new and still sound good with the 301's.

    What speakers etc. to upgrade to from what you have depends on your budget.

    The old Kenwood CD player may get you by for a short time but digital has come a long way, you could do better with an entry level Marantz or Music Hall.
    My first real receiver was a Sansui 661. It lasted me many years and it saw many speaker changes through the years until the left channel went silent and I replaced it with a Marantz SR580 that I still use to power my outdoor speakers.

    I just wish that I had the rig I have now, back then. We would get together on Friday nights at different guys houses and play the latest LP's, or check out the newest piece of gear that someone picked up.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Vintage integrated amp to pair with Bose 301's-sansui-661.jpg  
    2 Channel System
    Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II
    Pass Labs X150.5 (Amp)
    Cary SLP-03 (Preamp)
    Music Hall MMF 5.1 (TT)
    Goldring 1012GX (Cart.)
    Pro-ject SE II (Phono Box)
    Rotel RCD-1072 (CD Player)
    Bryston BDA-1 ( DAC )
    Sennheiser HD-600 (Headphones)
    Musical Fidelity Xcan V3 (Headphone Amp) _

    HT System
    Usher X-719 (Mains)
    Usher X-616 (Center)
    Usher S-520 (Surrounds)
    Rel T2 (Subwoofer)
    Anthem MCA20 (Amp)
    Yamaha RX-A830 (Receiver)
    Panasonic TH-46PZ85U (Plasma TV)
    Denon DBT-1713UD (BluRay/SACD)

  13. #13
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    I loved the sound of the receivers and int. amps from the 70's and very early 80's. Not the last word in detail but there was no fatigue or harshness from what I remember. Having tone controls really helped with poor recordings and eventually when CD's came out.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  14. #14
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    I never owned a receiver in the 1970s. My first system consisted of a Dynaco PAT-4 preamp, ST-80 power amp, and FM-5 tuner. I'm havd a couple of integrated amps along the way since then, but I've only had receivers in secondary systems.

    I bought a Pioneer SX-5 new, in the new mid-'80s; it's still in use. I bought a NAD 7130 very used, in about 2007 and it's still in use too. Neither of these is typical of the great '70s components, however.




  15. #15
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Name:  untitled a402 smallest.jpg
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Size:  42.0 KBI would like a Harmon Kardon A402 to power Bose 301's.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

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