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*US* BUYERS IGNORE MESSAGE ABOVE SAYING THERE IS TARIFFS FOR THE BUYER THAT IS NOT TRUE! I PREPAY ALL US BUYER TARIFFS NO TARIFFS FOR YOU TO PAY, YOU PAY IS ONLY AT CHECKOUT NO HIDDEN FEES* The Kenwood SS-79 AV Surround Processor is a rare and sought-after stereo receiver that has been tested and proven to work perfectly. This model offers high-quality sound processing and amplification capabilities, making it ideal for enhancing your home audio experience. With the Kenwood brand's reputation for excellence in audio equipment, the SS-79 is sure to provide top-notch performance for any home audio setup. Whether you're looking to improve your current sound system or build a new one, this surround processor is a valuable addition to any home audio setup.
Buyerâs market: at US$59, this lands well below the US$80 25th percentile and far under the US$119 median, so it reads as a strong deal rather than a merely fair one. For a vintage Kenwood surround processor, thatâs an easy entry point if you want to experiment with classic home-theater gear without spending much.
The appeal is the usual one with these old Kenwoods: simple Japanese-made build, Dolby Surround-era character, and enough rarity to make a clean, working example worth grabbing. âTested workingâ matters here, and at this price the upside is real if the unit is complete and the controls are quiet. Itâs the kind of purchase that makes sense for a vintage system, a secondary room, or a collector who values originality over modern convenience.
Independent perspective â 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 marketsâblending "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.
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