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A time-capsule find for the serious audiophile. Up for sale is a breathtaking, New Old Stock (NOS) Kenwood KA-801 High-Speed DC Integrated Amplifier in absolute mint cosmetic and mechanical condition. This unit has been carefully unsealed only to be professionally inspected, cleaned, and performance-tested. It includes the original factory documentation Condition Details:• Cosmetic Condition: Pristine / Mint. The classic silver faceplate is flawless, the switches and tension toggles are perfectly straight and crisp, and the chassis shows zero wear. The rear panel is immaculate with bright, oxidation-free RCA jacks and perfect speaker terminals. It has been preserved inside its original• Functional Condition: Fully Tested and Cleaned. This amplifier passes audio beautifully across both channels with a completely flat, quiet noise floor. The pots and switches have been cleaned and are entirely free of static or scratchiness. It delivers its legendary, high-speed 110 watts per channel exactly as it did leaving the factory.Specifications & Heritage:• Model: Kenwood KA-801 (Circa 1979–1981)• Power Output: 110 Watts Per Channel into 8Ω (Stereo)• Features: Dual power meters, high-speed DC circuitry, robust construction, and premium build quality from Kenwood’s golden era of high-fidelity audio.
At US$1,650, this is an ambitious ask rather than a bargain: it sits above the recent comparable median of US$1,258 and clears the 75th-percentile figure of US$1,454. Without documented restoration or exceptional originality, the price is difficult to justify; a figure closer to the market median would be more compelling.
The KA-801 remains a desirable vintage integrated, delivering a stout 110 watts per channel, a clean, quiet presentation, and an especially well-regarded phono section. Its relatively uncommon production and substantial build add appeal, but this is a 1979–80 amplifier, so verified bias and DC-offset readings, reliable switches, and evidence of capacitor or relay service matter greatly. At US$1,650, look for documented professional restoration, excellent cosmetics, and fully working inputs before considering it.
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.
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