Kenwood SUPREME 600

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Mad shadows, Aug 9, 2009.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    A local store has a Kenwood SUPREME 600 for sale (500 $).
    I know it´s a very well built piece of equipment.
    What are your opinion?

    I´m very thankful for all answers. :)
     
  2. KeithH

    KeithH Success With Honor...then and now

    Location:
    Beaver Stadium
    What is it?
     
  3. PH416156

    PH416156 Alea Iacta Est

    Location:
    Europe
    a 70's integrated amplifier
     
  4. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    It was Kenwoods top of the line integrated amplifier during the 70ties.

    I will provide a link when I comeback from work.
     
  5. KeithH

    KeithH Success With Honor...then and now

    Location:
    Beaver Stadium
  6. andyinstal

    andyinstal Runner for Others

    Location:
    Allen, Texas
  7. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    Thanks for the link KeithH:)
     
  8. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    Well, I bought the amplifier.

    My first impression is that it´s smooth with a well control bas. I have wait a few weeks before I can come with a final verdict.
     
  9. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    Is Kenwood still in the US market? Akai pulled out of the US market back in the early 90's.
     
  10. MacGyver

    MacGyver Forum Resident

    Location:
    IRRIGON, OR. U.S.

    they were until about 2004/05 or so. since then, they have seemed to have dropped clean off the radar...
     
  11. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    I like Kenwood and owned the KA-9100, an integrated amp which was my first foray into the world of separates. Kenwood was a solid mid-tier Japanese audio makers that made good functional designs, i.e. without all those flashy and largely useless bells and whistles ...
     
  12. PhilBiker

    PhilBiker sh.tv member number 666

    Location:
    Northern VA, USA
    After seeing the picture, I think you can do much better with a new integrated amp from Pioneer Elite or a number of other manufacturers, assuming the $500 is US Dollars. Though the Kenwood is an interesting looking piece.
     
  13. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    I believe the amp was made in the early 80's, right around the same time when Tandberg stopped making receivers and gone for separates. I love that golden era of audio - from the 60's through the early 80's.
     
  14. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    I have had the amplifier a couple of months now.

    My impressions are - it´s a very smooth and natural sounding amplifier. While it sounds smooth it doesn't loose the fine details. It also has a very good phonostage - dead silent (even with low out put MC).

    I´m very happy - this is a very high quality product.

    Edit: this amplifier was produced 1973-79
     
    Vincentz likes this.
  15. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    So this is a vote for analog sound? :winkgrin:
     
  16. calabashak

    calabashak Member

    Location:
    Ventura
    I have a similar Kenwood amp, the KA-907, that shares much in the way of architecture...

    http://thevintageknob.org/KENWOOD/KA907/KA907.html#

    It won me over to the point that it replaced a pair of Outlaw M-200s.

    The major issue with these older amps is that they should have a recap done. Then they really sing - excellent detail, great low end, wonderful phono section, and a good 4 ohm power rating.
     
  17. Mad shadows

    Mad shadows Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Karlskrona- Sweden
    I going to send mine away for a thorough check up as soon as my Electrocompaniet pre-apm is fixed (can´t live without music). This amp is a keeper.
     
  18. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    I had the KA-901 ...
     
  19. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    It appears the old Electrocompaniet equipments need a lot of repair. No?
     
  20. riverrat

    riverrat Senior Member

    Location:
    Oregon
    That is a great amp, one of the best that Kenwood ever produced and built better than just about anything being made today until you get into many thousands of dollars. It is true that the caps tend to gradually degrade over time, so it is worth getting those replaced. But high-end vintage gear can sound a lot better than many people give it credit for.

    A search over at audiokarma will turn up quite a few discussions of this amp...
     
  21. coopmv

    coopmv Newton 1/30/2001 - 8/31/2011

    Location:
    CT, USA
    Indeed. How much do you think you have to pay today for an amp of comparable build quality?
     
  22. vintage

    vintage New Member

    It was not only one of the best KENWOOD amplifiers ever made. It was one of the best amplifiers ever made. Made by the same people that founded Accuphase ! The difference in Kenwood Model 600 and Kenwood Model 500 is small : 5 dB less SNR and 2 x 100 W vs 2 x 130 W (8 Ohm, 20 Hz...20Khz, 0,08% THD)
     
  23. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    Kenwood is still in the US market, but not in home audio. Now if you want car audio, commercial 2 way business band radios, or amateur radios, Kenwood still has a presence. The Kenwood Supreme gear was Kenwood's very best. Kenwood's best audio engineers went on to found Kensonic Laboratories, founder of Accuphase equipment.
     
  24. spartanmanor

    spartanmanor Forum Resident

    Location:
    Arlington, VA
    Great integrated amp. I have a 500 I picked up at the GW for $35. The 700 was the top of this series.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page

molar-endocrine