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Our Thoughts RADAR AI

Because this is an older integrated amp rather than a current-gen model, timing mostly matters in the sense that you’re buying for value and condition, not for warranty-era convenience. At £100, it sits above the £85 75th percentile of your recent GBP comps and well over the £84 median, so this reads as ambitious rather than fair; I’d want a stronger condition story or extras to justify it.

That said, the Kenwood is from a solid, well-liked era of straightforward Japanese hi-fi: clean, punchy, and generally easy to live with if the controls are healthy. If it’s been looked after, these can be satisfying daily drivers, but at this price I’d want confirmation of silent pots/switches, stable channels, and no crackle, because age-related service issues are the main upside-killer rather than the design itself.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About Kenwood

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.

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