Kenwood Eleven II or Pioneer SX-828

Greetings Audio Karmans!

I am new here, and new to vintage audio equipment.

Two years ago, a Technics receiver (circa 1999 -- part of a matched component system) I was gifted died.

I had a Kenwood KR-5600 that I'd picked up at a garage sale maybe 15 years earlier. I hooked that up as a replacement, and immediately noticed a sound improvement. After a couple weeks, I looked on-line into the JBL speakers I'd found on the sidewalk also many years before. I was using them as my garage speakers. Turns out they were L100T3's. After I re-foamed the woofers, and hooked them up to the KR-5600....I could not believe I'd been listening to crappy equipment for so long.

Now, the KR-5600 has died and is not economically repairable. In my area there are two choices for sale as replacements:

A Kenwood Eleven II ($160) A little rough cosmetically, but all switches, knobs are there, and all lamps work. 80wpc
A Pioneer SX-828 ($150) Very good condition cosmetically. 54wpc

They are both about an hour's drive, but in a similar direction. I think I'll go listen to both.

I listen to a 50/50 mix of rock and roll and electronic dance music -- the latter delivering a good deal more bass.

Do any of you have opinions about one receiver over the other?

Thanks!

I'd definitely with for the Kenwood Model Eleven. It's one of my very best sounding receivers.

Thanks.

Do you think the extra power of the Eleven will drive my JBL's significantly better than the SX-828?

Yep,I would imagine so.

I've got a super 11 Kenwood and owned an 828 a few years ago.
I like the Kenwood 11 but the 828 is actually a very nice receiver too.
If it was a 850 I's say take the kenny ... but the 828 is a great amp.
See if you find a pioneer SX2500 ... that sounds better than both these 2 IMHO.
Cool.
Srinath.

And definite +1 for the Kenwood without reservation.

At those prices buy both and keep the one you prefer.

I'd have to agree, the Model Eleven II I had was one of the best sounding receivers I've owned.