RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
At £170, this sits well above the typical used market for comparable Kenwood listings: the median is £88, with the upper quartile at £151, so this is an ambitious asking price rather than a fair one. It’s not wildly out of line for a clean, working example, but it does ask a premium that needs to be justified by cosmetic condition, originality, and proven service history.
That said, this is a respected late-era integrated amp with a solid reputation for straightforward, unfussy sound and dependable build quality, so a tidy fully working unit can still appeal to the right buyer. If the faceplate, controls, and internals are genuinely clean, and it includes the right knobs, feet, and any original documentation, it becomes more tempting—but at this price, I’d want evidence of careful ownership or recent maintenance before calling it a strong buy.
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.
