redcoates7
still learning...
There was some conversation about these the other day, so I pulled a couple of project units out to post some pics.
Both of these are in need of a recap and a good cleaning, but still make music. A really solid design, and way better built than any stereo preamp Kenwood made after 1985 (with the exception of the L-1000C, which is pretty awesome)
Huge linear power supply, and completely dual mono construction from power supply to outputs.
Chassis is designed to be serviceable, with easy access to the component's solder joints from the (labeled!) basckside of the circuit board.
Controls are easily cleaned wafer switches, or completely sealed high-end controls for volume/gain.
Internally there are some differences between the two units...a big copper ground plane on the L-07CII instead of steel on the L-07C. Some updated internal components too. Definitely close cousins, but the II is an update, following Kenwood' pursuit of higher bandwidth...they just LOVED those super "fast" DC amplifiers until the late 80s...
Inputs and outputs are the same on both units, and both are pretty stripped down...no headphone amp, no selectable cartridge loading, no mono switch. The MC phono stage is pretty excellent on both...clean and quiet. MM is also excellent,and I've never wanted for any additional loading options.
Interesting how the L-07C really has that Technics "military" feel to it, while the L-07CII is a much sleeker, more modern component. A very visible reminder of the change that was happening in Hifi as the 70s ran towards the 80s. Big, bulky industrial-looking components were turning towards sleeker, more domestic friendly forms...
Both of these are in need of a recap and a good cleaning, but still make music. A really solid design, and way better built than any stereo preamp Kenwood made after 1985 (with the exception of the L-1000C, which is pretty awesome)
Huge linear power supply, and completely dual mono construction from power supply to outputs.
Chassis is designed to be serviceable, with easy access to the component's solder joints from the (labeled!) basckside of the circuit board.
Controls are easily cleaned wafer switches, or completely sealed high-end controls for volume/gain.
Internally there are some differences between the two units...a big copper ground plane on the L-07CII instead of steel on the L-07C. Some updated internal components too. Definitely close cousins, but the II is an update, following Kenwood' pursuit of higher bandwidth...they just LOVED those super "fast" DC amplifiers until the late 80s...
Inputs and outputs are the same on both units, and both are pretty stripped down...no headphone amp, no selectable cartridge loading, no mono switch. The MC phono stage is pretty excellent on both...clean and quiet. MM is also excellent,and I've never wanted for any additional loading options.
Interesting how the L-07C really has that Technics "military" feel to it, while the L-07CII is a much sleeker, more modern component. A very visible reminder of the change that was happening in Hifi as the 70s ran towards the 80s. Big, bulky industrial-looking components were turning towards sleeker, more domestic friendly forms...
