Vintage Hi-Fi: 1983 Kenwood KR-820 Stereo Receiver - My First Amp!

[@josephrohland5604]

I bought the same one while stationed in Heilbronn, Germany in 1983. Also had the Kenwood Equalizer and cassette deck with 2 Bose 301 speakers. Miss that a bunch!

[@hailtothevictorz]

I have the exact same history with this amp. Bought it new the Summer of '83 between my Senior year of high school and my Freshman year of college (made my money as a flagman for the Hwy dept over the course of that Summer). It was the center of my system until I replaced it with a Harmon Kardon integrated around 1993-94.

[@martyjewell5683]

My first stereo receiver was a Pioneer SX-434 (15wpc) purchased in 1974. I traded up to an SX-650 in 1977 and finally got the receiver I still use today, a Hitachi SR-804 (50wpc, class G) in 1979. Ain't no doubt about it, vintage audio, kept in excellent condition, can be very satisfying. Nice video.

[@theoldschoolgamer6199]

My dad lended me a KR-830 he had laying around, hooked on some Bose 301 series 2 and it sounded great (imo). When I compared it to my main setup (that I still use) which is a Kenwood VR-410 with a pair of Rega Camber 2.5, it sounded older...but in a good way. My main sounds more neutral and clear but the KR-830 had a certain warmth that my 410 doesn't have. Keep in mind that I never really listened to proper audiophile gear.

[@RBFranco]

Hi Mr. Nadir i'm from Brasil! Your receiver is Wonderful. I have the KR 865 G.

[@nadiraudio]

Thanks! The KR-865G is also very nice, with more power and features than mine.

[@BigMikeGuitar]

I had one very similar. Are there some related models, in a series for example? I'm curious now. Cheers~

[@nadiraudio]

Yep, there was one model below this one called the KR-810, but the KR-820 was on sale when I bought it new. I could barely afford it -- I think it was $220 -- but it seemed like a better deal at the time. There were also KR-830 and KR-850 models in the same chassis, but those were out of my price range. Cheers.

[@dirf554]

I’m currently running a Kenwood KR-810 and love the sound coming out of it. I think this is Linda like it’s big brother 🤔 I love the way stereos use too look. Can you run 200 watt speakers on old stereos like this? I have Klipsch R41M speakers hooked up to mine.

[@dirf554]

Ha so the speakers are 55 watts up to 200 watts RMS and they are 8 ohms but they sound fantastic on this stereo and come through very clear!!

[@mirandagaytan4075]

Tengo uno igual pero no sé conectarlo alas bocinas me podría decir como conectarlo

[@nathanbrovey4580]

Is it digital or analog

[@nadiraudio]

It's an analog amplifier with a digital tuner

[@Andrew-ou8yt]

how sounds this Kenwood?

[@nadiraudio]

It's pretty decent sounding for an entry-level receiver from the early 80s, but it can't compete with new entry-level audiophile gear.