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The KR-5010 is a properly old-school late-’70s Kenwood receiver with a modest 45 W per channel and a sensible feature set, so £440 feels ambitious rather than fair unless this one is exceptional cosmetically or electrically. Comparable examples of this era and class usually trade as a vintage-gear piece, not a premium collectible, so I’d want strong proof of originality, servicing, and clean operation before paying that ask.
What makes it appealing is the classic Kenwood presentation: proper FM/AM tuner, phono input, twin tape loops, two speaker pairs, and the big, tactile receiver experience that vintage buyers actually want. If it’s a clean, fully working unit with recent service, original knobs, and no scratchy controls or dial-light issues, it’s still a satisfying buy for someone after a compact, good-looking 1970s receiver; at this price, though, condition and maintenance history matter a lot.
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.
