RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This one’s from an earlier solid-state generation, so timing only really matters if you want a straightforward, no-fuss amp rather than chasing newer features. At £58, it lands right on the median of recent used comparables and sits comfortably inside the normal range, so the price reads as fair rather than flashy.
That’s still a good sign for a Kenwood integrated of this era, since these are generally liked for an honest, musical presentation and dependable day-to-day use. At this price, the appeal is value and usability: if it’s clean, fully working, and the controls are quiet, it’s an easy one to shortlist. Only pause if there’s evidence of scratchy pots, channel imbalance, or a badly tired exterior, because those are the issues that would dent the deal more than the asking price itself.
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.
