I think this Kenwood KR-5030 might be the best damn receiver ever made.

I've never been a big fan of "monster" receivers; if you need lots of power, a receiver is just not a good way to go IMO. Sixty WPC seems about the right amount of power for a receiver. I've owned, sold or still own hundreds of silver faced gems through the years, many in the 60 WPC range (2270, HK 930, lots of Pioneers and Yamahas), but I swear this 5030 just sounds better. It's an old beater I rescued from a garage system a few days ago, but everything I hook up to it sounds fantastic; turntables, CD players, the internal tuner, bookshelf speakers, big speakers, headphones - you name it - this old thing sounds terrific! 100% stock and unserviced. I'm blown away.

I liked my KR6030 and only reluctantly sold it recently. Great tuner. Because of their weak power switches, they can sometimes be picked up pretty cheap.

Maybe a development model? what's the serial number?

(no I'm not going to look it up.)

jwhvt said:

I liked my KR6030 and only reluctantly sold it recently. Great tuner. Because of their weak power switches, they can sometimes be picked up pretty cheap.

Click to expand...

The wood really kicks it up a notch. Beautiful.

Agreed, I've always felt that Kenwood is one of those brands that flies under the radar... Years ago when I had more receivers than space I did some back-to-back testing playing the same CD through the same CD player and using the same speakers with a Pioneer SX1050, a Carver receiver, a Kenwood KR9400 and a little Sansui 2000. The Kenny was hands down the nicest sounding of the bunch. I sold the rest and never looked back.

I picked up one in a GS. Tried to power it up, and well, it was not happy. Some day I hope to get it running. Nikko and Kenwood 2 brands that were/are good values imho.

i agree, kenwood units are very underrated

I have a 5030, it does not sound so bad at all, do not know if sounds any better than my pioneer sx-950.
Problems with the power switch too!! arching, causing the dial lights to flicker. Had to take all apart and file the pits off the contacts.
I'll post a re-cap list I have been working on,never bought the parts so there maybe some errors.

Kenwood KR-5030/5330 BOM

Audio (X09-1240-10 B/2) (Power Supply Section)

Cm49,50:10,000uF/50V (ale-pol) 35x80mm 2-pin tab
667-ECE-T1JA183EA (Snap In 18000UF 63V ELECT THA) $10.79

Cm52:22u/50V (ale-pol) use 47uF/63-100V
667-EEU-FR1J470 (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 63volt 47uF 6.3X11mm LS:2.5mm Bulk Strait) $0.389
667-EEU-FR1J470B
647-UPS1J470MPD1TA (47uF 63V 20% 105c) $0.244 D:8mm L:11.5mm LS:3.5mm Product: Low Impedance Electrolytic Capacitors

Cm53:100u/50V (ale-pol) use 220-470uF/63-100V
667-EEU-FR1J221L (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 63volt 220uF 10X25mm LS:5mm Bulk Strait)
667-EEU-FR1J221LB

Cm55:220uF/16V (ale-pol) use 220-470uF/25V
667-EEU-FR1E331 (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 25VDC 330uF 8x11mm LS3.5mm )

Cm56:100uF/16V (ale-pol) use 470u/25V
667-EEU-FR1E471YB (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 25VDC 470uF 8x15mm LS 5.0mm)

Cm57,58:220uF/35V (ale-pol) use 470uF/35V
667-EEU-FR1V471 (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 35VDC 470uF 10x16mm LS5mm)

Qm25:2SC789(Toshiba,70V,4A,30W@25Ccase,hfe=40-240@0.5A,Ft=3MHzmin,TO-220AB,BCE)
512-KSD363YTU (BCE) $0.967

Audio (X09-1240-10 A/2) (PREDRIVER)

Cm1,2:2.2uF/25V (tant-pol) I/P coupling D5mm,LS4mm
667-ECQ-V1H225JL (Film Capacitors 2.2uF 50V 5%) $1.21
555-RFS50V2R2ME3#5 (2.2uF 50V 20% Audio SILMIC II Case Diameter:5 mm Case Length:11 mm Lead Spacing:2 mm $0.333
647-UKL1H2R2MDDANA (50 Volt 2.2uF 20%) $0.178

Cm3,4:0.22uF/35V (tant-pol) Sub-filter D5mm,LS4mm
667-ECQ-V1H224JL (Film Capacitors .22uF 50V 5%) $0.322
647-UKL1HR22KDDANA (50 Volt 0.22uF 105C 5x11 2LS) $0.344

Cm7,8:47uF/16V (ale-np) d10mm,LS4mm
647-UES1E470MPM (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 25volts 47uF 85c 10x12.5 5LS) $0.655

Cm11,12:1UF/50V (ale-pol,orange ELNA,D:5x12mm) (tone)
667-ECQ-V1H105JL (Film Capacitors 1uF 50V 5%) $0.755
555-RFS50V010ME3#5 (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 1uF 50V 20% Audio SILMIC II ) $0.333

Cm17,18:10UF/25V (ale-pol)
667-ECQ-V1H225JL (Film Capacitors 2.2uF 50V 5%) $1.21
555-RFS25V100ME3#5 (10uF 25V 20% Audio SILMIC II) $0.333

Cm19,20:100uF/10V (ale-pol)
667-EEU-FC1J101

Cm21,22:10uF/25V (ale-pol,D:5mm,LS:4mm)
647-UKL1E100MDDANA (1uF 50 Volt 105C 10% 2mm LS Case Diameter:5 mm Case Length: 11 mm Lead Spacing: 2 mm) $0.344
647-UPW1E100MDD
555-RFS25V100ME3#5 (10uF 25V 20% Audio SILMIC II) $0.333

Cm24:330uF/50V (ale-pol,16(D)x35mmx7.5mmLS) (-47V filter,use 560uF/63V)
667-EEU-FR1J561L

Cm27,28:1uF/50V (ale-pol) D:5
667-EEU-FC1H1R0
555-RFS50V010ME3#5

Cm33:47UF/10V (ale-np) 10(D)x12(H)x4mmLS
647-UES1E470MPM (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 25volts 47uF 85c 10x12.5 5LS) $0.655

Cm34:100uF/25V (ale-pol,D:12x22x5mmLS)
667-EEU-FC1J101

Q1,3:2SC2261(O)(y) (Sanken,80W,TO-3)
Q2,3:2SA981(O)(Y) (Sanken,80W,TO-3)
TO-3 micas (Need a total of 4): 534-4636, 534-4667

Qm1~4:2SA750(1)(E) (TO-92,ecb)
512-KSA992FTA (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=500mW,Ft=100M,hfe=300-600,TO-92,ecb)
2SA1083,2SA1034(D)(E)

Qm5~8:2SC1775A(E)(F) (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=300mW,Ft=120M,hfe=400-1200,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSC1845FTA (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=500mW,hfe=400-1200,Ft=110M,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSC2316YTA (Vce=120V,Ic=800mA,Pd=900mW,hfe=120-240,Ft=120M,TO-92L)

Qm9,10:2SA872A(E)(F) (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=300mW,Ft=120M,hfe=400-1200,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSA992FTA (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=500mW,Ft=100M,hfe=300-600,TO-92,ecb)
512-KSA916YTA (Vce=120,Ic=800mA,Pd=900mW,Ft=120M,hfe=120-240,TO-92L)

Qm11,12:2SD600K(E)(F)/2SC1567A(Q)(R) (TO-126,ECB)
512-KSC2690AYS (NPN,Ic=1.2A,Vce=160V,Pd=1.5W,Ft=155M,hfe=160-320,TO-126ML,ECB)
863-2SC3902S (NPN,Ic=1.5A,Vce=160V,Pd=1.5W,Ft=120M,hfe=140-280,TO-126ML,ECB)

Qm13,14:2SB631J(e)(F)/2SA794(Q)(R) (TO-126,ECB)
512-KSA1220AYS (PNP,Ic=1.2A,Vce=160V,Pd=1.5W,Ft=155M,hfe=160-320,TO-126ML,ECB)
863-2SA1507S (PNP,Ic=1.5A,Vce=160V,Pd=1.5W,Ft=120M,hfe=140-280,TO-126ML,ECB)

Qm19,20:2SC1890A(E)(F) (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=250mW,hfe=400-1200,Ft=200M,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSC1845FTA (Vce=120V,Ic=50mA,Pd=500mW,hfe=400-1200,Ft=110M,TO-92,ECB)

Qm21:2SC945(Q)(R) (Vce=50V,Ic=150mA,Pd=250mW,hfe=400-270,Ft=250M,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSC945CYTA (Vce=50V,Ic=150mA,Pd=250mW,hfe=400-270,Ft=300M,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSD1616AGBU

Qm22,24:2SA733(Q)(R) (Vce=50V,Ic=50mA,Pd=300mW,hfe=250-1200,Ft=180M,TO-92,ECB)
512-KSA733CYTA (Vce=50V,Ic=150mA,Pd=250mW,hfe=120-240,Ft=180M,TO-92,ECB)

Qm23:2SC1735(E) (Vce=100V,Ic=500mA,Pd=800mW,Ft=120M,hfe=150-300,TO-92-L,BCE)
512-KSC2316YTA (Vce=120V,Ic=800mA,Pd=900mW,Ft=120M,hfe=120-240,TO-92L,ECB)
512-KSC1009YTA (Vce=160V,Ic=700mA,Pd=800mW,Ft=120M,hfe=120-240,TO-92L,ECB)

Dm1,2,5,6,9,10:1S2076,1S1555 (100mA,35V,DO-35)
512-1N4148TA

Dm3,4:STV-4HG

Dm8,16,17:WO6B (DO-41,Glass)
512-1N4004

Dm11:1S2076A (35V,150mA,250mW,trr=8ns,C=3pF,DO-35)
512-1N4148TA

Dm15:M4C-3 (200V/10A bridge? with heatsink)
512-GBPC2506W Bridge Rectifiers 25A Bridge Rectifier 25x25mm $3.41
567-624-60AB (21x21x15mm) $1.53

Dm18:YZ-140 (14V zener glass 500mW)
512-1N5244B

Dm19,20: WZ-240 (24V zener glass,DO-41)
512-1N4749ATR
512-1N5252B Fairchild 24 V, 0.5W Zener

Vrm1,2:500ohm pot
652-3309P-1-501 $0.60

Tuner(X05-1480-10, -61, -81 A/4)

Cg22,51:0.47u/50V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1HR47MDD
647-UKT1HR22MDD (50volts 0.22uF 20%) $0.156

Cg25,39,53:1u/50V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1H010MDD

Cg34,38,47,48,73,78:10u/25V
647-UPW1E100MDD

Cg49:220u/16V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UHD1C331MPD

Cg52:0.22u/50V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UKT1HR22MDD

Cg69,50:47u/10V(ale-pol,ac coupling)
555-RFS10V470ME3#5

Cg73,74,75,76:10u/25V(ale-pol,ac coupling)
555-RFS25V100ME3#5 (10uF 25V 20% Audio SILMIC II) $0.333

Cg77:33u/16V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-URZ1C330MDD

Cg79:47u/16V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1E470MDD

Cg80:33u/16V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1C330MDD6

Cg81,103,104:100u/25V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1E101MED

Cg82:100u/10V(ale-pol,dc filter)
647-UPW1A101MDD

Cg85,86:3.3uF/10V(tant-pol,sig coupling for phono i/p)
667-ECQ-V1H225JL (Film Capacitors 2.2uF 50V 5%)

Cg87,88:47uF/50V(ale-pol,sig coupling,sig coupling for phono feedback)
555-RFS35V470MH3#5 (Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors - Leaded 47uF 35V 20% Audio SILMIC II)

Cg97,98:4.7uF/50V(ale-pol,sig coupling,sig coupling for phono o/p)
667-ECQ-V1H225JL (Film Capacitors 2.2uF 50V 5%)

667-ECQ-U2A103ML (Use across the AC switch terminals)
667-ECQ-U3A103MG

576-V20E140P Varistors 140Vrms 10kA 1900pF 20mm Disc

No doubt about it.. Kenwood made some of the very best gear back in the day.

This mod fixes the arcing power switch: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=504673

The KR-5030 has a short signal path. There's no separate gain stage for the tone controls. The only gain stage in the unit is the power amp; tone controls are implemented in the feedback path of the power amp. That's not a bad thing. It means there's no crappy '70s opamp and no badly-implemented emitter-follower in the preamp section to create distortion.

I'm working on modeling the -5030 amp in spice to see how much it distorts.

Also it looks like some of the coupling caps on the amp might be tantalum caps, those can contribute to distortion by themselves. Oversized plain-Jane aluminum electrolytics are always an upgrade over tants in the signal path.

I have a KR-750 with the wacky automatic tuning...that works actually quite well. Here's a link with specs and some pics: http://vintageelectronics.betamaxcollectors.com/kenwoodstereoreceivermodelkr-750.html

Thanks repo.. (didn't look at any schematics so I'll take your word for it) Short signal path cap coupled.

I wonder what it would set you back in the materials BOM posted?

The KR-8010 is in the same boat, great sounding and under-appreciated.

Binkman said:

Thanks repo.. (didn't look at any schematics so I'll take your word for it) Short signal path cap coupled.

I wonder what it would set you back in the materials BOM posted?

Click to expand...

The triac is $3.25 at mouser, mouser part number 576-Q4025L6.

The resistor costs a few cents. It should be at least 1/2W.

You'll also want some heat shrink tubing to cover the triac leads and all metal that would otherwise be exposed. Some of it is unswitched hot AC after all. I used Mouser 5174-1181 which works great, you can shrink it with a match.

That KR-750 is an interesting model,for sure! I've had 7400, 7600 and 6600. All of them were winners and found their way to friends and family. I need to use units with a remote these days. BTW the Kenwood tuner sections were always great!

jwhvt said:

I liked my KR6030 and only reluctantly sold it recently. Great tuner. Because of their weak power switches, they can sometimes be picked up pretty cheap.

Click to expand...

Agreed. In the waaayback, but I still pull it out. See my pics in Listening Spaces.

My HS setup was with a KR-7600 - had a problem with the power switch and junked it. I know, I'll go to audio hell. I was too dumb to try to fix it and too broke to have it repaired. Man do I ever regret getting rid of it.

Audio shame and regret. I have a 5030 if you want to come and get it. Still has the power switch issue, which is an easy fix. A friends garage sale, that and can you believe the white epoxy dd tt all for $25

Had the 6030. 80 watts is the sweetspot.Kenwood FM is legendary. They learned a lot doing ham radio.

audiomagnate said:

I've never been a big fan of "monster" receivers; if you need lots of power, a receiver is just not a good way to go IMO. Sixty WPC seems about the right amount of power for a receiver. I've owned, sold or still own hundreds of silver faced gems through the years, many in the 60 WPC range (2270, HK 930, lots of Pioneers and Yamahas), but I swear this 5030 just sounds better. It's an old beater I rescued from a garage system a few days ago, but everything I hook up to it sounds fantastic; turntables, CD players, the internal tuner, bookshelf speakers, big speakers, headphones - you name it - this old thing sounds terrific! 100% stock and unserviced. I'm blown away.

Click to expand...

Yup I'm very plsd w my 6030 as well,
Nice features and what can be done
with 5 inputs FM aux phono and 2tape
loops I can make tapes from multiple
sources. Igot in in 81 from Tech hifi on
cape cod w an SR-A200 turntable,, Pioneer 3 ways what a great set up.