RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This was part of a huge audio equipment buyout from a former smoker so the unit may have a smell but itâs not too bad anymore. I donât have the time thoroughly test all the equipment so the only testing done is plugging them in and powering them on. Due to this they will be sold as untested and as is without returns. If you have any questions or need more pictures please let me know. Please reference the pictures to judge condition.Update-I briefly tested the phono output and the receiver played nicely and all the different settings like depth, mic mixing seemed to work however after about few minutes the receiver would start to produce static and then stop playing for a few seconds before resuming. Overall the amp is partially working but will mostly likely need some work.
At US$324, this sits well above the typical used market for comparable Kenwood receivers: the median is US$121, with the upper quartile at US$210, so this asking price is clearly ambitious rather than fair-market. It would need exceptional cosmetics, documented servicing, or standout originality to make sense at this level.
That said, this is a desirable late-vintage stereo receiver class piece: solid FM/AM performance, a full-featured amp section, and the kind of warm, easy-listening Kenwood presentation many buyers still chase. If it’s truly working cleanly, looks sharp, and comes with no hidden issues, the upside is in owning a scarce, representative piece of the era—but from a value standpoint, the premium is hard to justify unless the condition and provenance are unusually strong.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Kenwood traces its origins to December 21, 1946, when it was founded as Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, by a group of entrepreneurs led by William "Bill" Kasuga. Emerging in the postwar era, the company initially produced electronic components and amateur radio gear, renaming to Trio Corporation in 1960 before adopting the Kenwood name in 1986 to appeal to Western markets—blending "Ken," a familiar name across Japan and America, with "Wood" evoking durability and Hollywood. This rebranding fueled rapid international growth, starting with a U.S. office in Los Angeles County in 1963.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality audio and communications equipment, excelling in home hi-fi amplifiers like the acclaimed 1970 Supreme 1 multichannel model, receivers, tuners, and speakers with innovations such as polypropylene cones. Kenwood also pioneered car audio systems, including the first audio/video amplifier for home theater in 1981 and anti-theft cassette decks, alongside professional two-way radios and amateur transceivers. While maintaining roots in consumer electronics, it expanded into automotive infotainment.
Today, as part of JVCKENWOOD since the 2008 merger with JVC, Kenwood holds a solid mid-tier position in car audio and professional communications, prized by enthusiasts for reliable performance and aftermarket upgrades. Its vintage home hi-fi gear from the 1970s and 1980s commands respect among collectors for robust build and warm sound, though it no longer dominates pure hi-fi markets.
See all Kenwood listings on RADAR.
