I'd heard that the Kenwood KA-8006 was sensitive to speaker choices, & sure enough, my newly acquired example has proved it be so. Disappointingly, the bass response is softer & less distinct than my Onkyo A-5 with my Dynaco A-25 speakers. Can I get some recommendations as to which speakers might make a better match? (I listen mostly to Jazz & Classical)
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I guess there are some differences, but I have a Kenwood KA-8150, and while it sounded a bit dull and lacking bottom end with my KEF Chorales (that sing beautifully with my Mc C-28 and Hitachi HMA-7500) the 8150 sounded punchy and vivid with a pair of unassuming AMC bookshelfs that are half the size of the KEF.

Point: try sharper smaller speakers.

I know this is an old thread, but I have something to contribute. I purchased an 8006 some months back and it sounded as the original poster described. It also lacked any significant depth info and the bass was cold and lacking; everything sounded compressed and lacking in dynamics. Looking inside, I saw a number of the caps bleeding fluid and stained on the power supply board.

I changed the caps on the power supply board and then changed out all the electrolytics on both amp driver boards. After a 96 hour burn-in period the sound is considerably better with depth and dimension from top to bottom. After the cap job, it did a better job of driving my DQ-10s than a 90 wpc Sony V5 receiver. How the Kenwood will compare to my Sansui 7900 (awaiting new caps and a relay) I do not know, but I expect it to be close.

I have come to the conclusion that all vintage gear benefits from a cap job...

Marty

I have come to the conclusion that all vintage gear benefits from a cap job...

Marty

You are correct sir!

That's a 35 year old piece of gear--as am I. I'm currently waiting for my capacitors to need replacing...

Seriously, all those old electrolytics are very detrimental to signal quality. Electro's aren't great anyway, but old ones barfing all over the place really sound bad. That 8006 should be a nice amp. I've toyed with the idea of getting one, but I really love my recapped 8100.

The one I have sounds pretty loud with my Smaller Advents. The bass is pretty strong with them. The guy I bought it from said he couldn't drive two sets of speakers but I don't like to do that anyway.

The 8006 is one sweet amp. I own 2 of them, one since new. Still sounds very good but does need a re-cap. I wish there was a tech in my area that I could count on to take care of my precious piece!