Kenwood KA-7000 (1972)
A solid-state integrated amplifier from Kenwood's flagship early-1970s line — 50 watts per channel, comprehensive tone controls, the substantial chassis weight and silver-faceplate styling that defined Japanese hi-fi as it entered its mid-decade golden era.
Overview
The KA-7000 sits in the upper tier of Kenwood's integrated amplifier lineup of 1972-1974. By this point Kenwood (Trio in domestic Japanese branding) had matured from its 1960s tube and early-transistor designs into a confident solid-state company, and the KA-7000 reflects that — substantial chassis, well-designed power supply, real attention to phono preamp performance.
It competed directly with the Pioneer SA-7100, the Sansui AU-7500, the Yamaha CA-700, and the early Marantz integrateds. The KA-7000's positioning was on build quality and feature set rather than sheer power — at 50 W/ch it offered slightly less output than some rivals but with notably tighter THD figures and a more comprehensive control set.
Specifications
| Type | Solid-state integrated amplifier |
| Power | 50 W/ch RMS, both channels driven, 8Ω |
| THD at rated power | 0.1% |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz – 50 kHz (±1 dB) |
| S/N ratio | 90 dB (Aux), 75 dB (Phono MM) |
| Phono input | MM, 2.5 mV / 47 kΩ |
| Tone controls | Bass / Mid / Treble (turnover-switchable) |
| Filters | Subsonic, high-cut |
| Inputs | Phono ×2, Tape ×2, Aux, Tuner |
Applications and Legacy
Mid-1970s home stereo systems, restorations of period-correct Japanese hi-fi. Working examples trade for $200-400 in clean condition. Common service points: electrolytic capacitor refresh (the larger filter caps in particular), switch contact cleaning, occasional output transistor replacement.
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