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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Kenwood L-02A Integrated Amplifier (SS) by J-PMatt@Comcast.Net

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REVIEW: Kenwood L-02A Integrated Amplifier (SS)

68.45.84.86


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Model: L-02A
Category: Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $3,000.00
Description: Semi-Integrated Amp
Manufacturer URL: Kenwood
Manufacturer URL: Kenwood

Review by J-PMatt@Comcast.Net ( A ) on February 03, 2004 at 18:07:59
IP Address: 68.45.84.86
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for the L-02A


I've been a Kenwood junkie since the tender age of 16. Since that time, I often wondered what it would be like to own some of the best offerings that Kenwood had. At such a young age, I counted myself lucky to have owned a KA-801 and KA-9100 integrated amplifiers. Back then, amplification and preamplification, in my opinion were the cornerstones of any fledgling system regardless of merit.

Then I grew up and became exposed to many of the great manufacturers one reads about today in Stereophile and The Absolute Sound, to name just two publications. And for the better part of two decades since my love affair with all things audio began, I slowly but surely began to forget about those Japanese companies whose affordable offerings made it possible for a kid like me to own a pretty good rig and enjoy music in a way that would not have been possible were I restricted to only the High End. Simultaneously, I began to acquire an ever-changing "High-End " system.

So, two years ago my interest in "Vintage Kenwood" began anew when I began to peruse E-Bay and take a look at what that web-site had to offer regarding such equipment. Needless to say, the selection was intriguing and I bought a KA-9100 and a KA-907. This review is not about them, and I don't want to waste too much time on them except to say that knowing far more about amplifier topology then I did then, those two pieces were really something else and to be respected for their achievements without regard to date of manufacture or cost. In other words, they stand up well to present day offerings whose costs exceed the $1,000.00 price point.

Two months ago, the rarest of the rare became available, and I quickly bought the L-02A. Before you continue reading any further, know this: This amp manufactured around 1982 is and was the best integrated amp Kenwood ever produced. Period. First off, it's the heaviest integrated amplifier I've ever picked up, weighing in at about 80 lbs. It has a separate and detachable power supply, allowing a direct connection. If separation is needed, the use of a multi-pin ribbon cable makes it possible to lower or raise the unit a few feet from the control unit. I found it best to go with a direct connection.

My example is in excellent shape, both cosmetically and electrically, but I did send it in for "once over" by a local service tech I know and trust. I wanted to do this before I even listened to it, in the spirit of giving the piece every possible chance to show me the goods before I exacted judgement. It did not disappoint.

I used Tributaries very best speaker cable that I custom ordered. Speaker end has one pair of gold spade terminations and amp end is bi-wired with gold-tinned wire-only ends. Being the purveyor of "Sigma Drive", it was necessary to use speaker cables that are bi-wired on the amp end. Long story short, Sigma Drive theory and its applicable technology is what Bi-Wiring is all about. Kenwood left nothing to chance with the design of this beautiful brute, and it over-engineering and robust build quality shows in all facets of its design, operation and sound.

The sound? How's this.........right up there with my Electrocompaniet separates. And in my humble opinion, that's saying quite a bit. In fact, in some cases it outpeformed them. I can't believe I'm typing this, but in the areas of microdynamics and detail, the Kenwood beat the EC gear hands down. Recording after recording showed a component that can easily reside in many prestigious systems available today. Especially with piano. That instrument reproduced by the Kenwood had a sparkle, reverberance and attack/decay that was very simply breath-taking. Now, with material where the bass is most prominent, it was easy to detect the differences between the Kenny and the EC, the EC easily beating out the Kenny regarding authority and control. Guess that's the difference between the Kenny's 170 WPC Class A/B and the EC's 250 WPC pure Class A. Soundstage width and depth would go narrowily to the EC, but the Kenny was no slouch in this department.

Its phono stage is among the best that I've used, and I've used quite a few. Currently, my phono stage is the Electrocompaniet ECP-1. One of the best in it's retail price category. And again, those same differences listed above were abundantly clear. Both are very quite, with the slight nod going to the EC. Bass again to the EC. But in the area of detail, and exacting sound previously unheard on my beloved recordings, the Kenny was the clear winner.

To rap this up, all I can say is what a joy it is to own this Integrated amp. And considering its age (20+ years), I have to take my hat off and salute the team who built it. From what I understand and read on various Kenwood web-sites, the team who built this and its matching tuner were the best of the best from Japan, and read like a who's who of 1970's/ 1980's Japanese audio history. It's also bittersweet, because the Kenwood of today is but a shadow of its former self.

But back then, they took a backseat to no one.


Product Weakness: The usual for rare vintage gear, which concerns upkeep in the event of malfunction.
Product Strengths: Read Review


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Electrocompaniet AW-250DMB
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Electrocompaniet EC-4.7
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Wadia Model 8 Transport(Recently Upgraded)/ Perpetual Technologies P1A/P3A Fully Modified by Modwright/ Basis 1400/ Origin Live-Rega RB-300/ Benz Micro ACE Low-Output Moving Coil
Speakers: Talon Audio Peregrines
Cables/Interconnects: Stealth Silver all the way around except for the special Bi-Wire cables I needed for this reviewed component
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Eclectic
Room Size (LxWxH): 40 x 30 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition: 60 Days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): MIT Z-Center
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Kenwood L-02A Integrated Amplifier (SS) - J-PMatt@Comcast.Net 18:07:59 02/3/04 ( 12)