Chris:
I own a Kenwood KR-6170, which I've had for decades (1972!). Yesterday, I came across several of your postings (Epoch5?) on AudioKarma.org. Although your postings date back to a year or more ago, they indicated you too have a KR-6170 and that it has (or had) some of the same popping, hissing, cracking, and right-channel dropping symptoms that I'm getting on mine.
Can you tell me if you were able to fix the problems with your KR-6170 and if so what the diagnosis and repairs entailed? Did you have to get repair parts or, if not, do you have any info or suggestions on parts availability, or interchangeability, for a KR-6170? Any suggestions or info you can provide would be most appreciated. Thanks!!!
One other point -- My symptoms seem to be associated with or affected by the ORANGE and BLACK front-panel push buttons. If I rapidly push certain buttons in and out, the cracking, popping, and hissing as well as the right channel audio drop-out symptoms will actually cease for a minute or two (sometimes just seconds), but then they return. I've tried cleaning with a vacuum hose and have used a can of compressed "air", but with limited results. I had thought the problem was built-up "dust" or something similar associated with their contact points, but after reading you web posts I'm wondering if I have some faulty component that may entail repair parts. Although KR-6170 Service Manuals are available for purchase on the Internet, I don't know of anyone who still repairs (real) old Kenwoods.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read this and for any info you can offer.
Regards,
Bill Dalton
Virginia Beach, VA
songhujung@gmail.com
