Opinions needed: Kenwood KA-60

[joho1701]

Is the Kenwood KA-60 a good amp worth getting for vinyl listening with 2 KLH Model 16 speakers and the Polk PSW10
subwoofer?
Thanks :)

[decal]

Sure, if you ditch the POS sub.

[joho1701]

Sure, if you ditch the POS sub.

Why?

[ZLTFUL]

The PSW10 doesn't have a very good reputation at all. Pretty much in sound quality, musicality and reliability.
There are far better subs out there for only a hair more money. The PSW505 would be an example and can be had on sale pretty frequently for around $189-$199.
If you bump that budget up a hair and explore the used market, WAY better subs can be had.

[joho1701]

There are far better subs out there for only a hair more money. The PSW505 would be an example and can be had on sale pretty frequently for around $189-$199.

Ha, I've been getting that a lot since I've been posting. However, it's my first sub and I got it for $75. Got my turntabe
for free also (AudioTechnica LP-60) and connected everything to an Superscope PAC770 tthat I used for music study brieflyn the late 90's and was about to sell or give away. So, as you can see, as a starter kit I've been able to keep costs way way down, which is the priority right now.
I am hoping a real amp will help enrich the sound of my vinyls, particularly the mids and highs.
:)

[mhardy6647]

KLH 16? I don't know that model - are these vintage KLH or later ones? If vintage, perhaps KLH 6 or 17?

As to the KA-60, I'd consider it slightly past the "golden age" but perfectly serviceable.

[ZLTFUL]

http://www.amazon.com/KLH-16-Referen...pr_product_top

[mhardy6647]

oh.
OK

[ZLTFUL]

(I'm just guessing anyway...trying to play it off like I knew what I was talking about...)

[decal]

Why?

The PSW10 doesn't have a very good reputation at all. Pretty much in sound quality, musicality and reliability.
There are far better subs out there for only a hair more money. The PSW505 would be an example and can be had on sale pretty frequently for around $189-$199.
If you bump that budget up a hair and explore the used market, WAY better subs can be had.

What he said. I had a psw10, it's a POS.

[mhardy6647]

:-)
And I was trying to be diplomatic.

[joho1701]

Now that my KA-60 is on its way how can I connect the PSW10 to it? I had a pre-out on the Superscope, but all the KA-60 has are
phone, tuner and aux ins and one set of left and right +/- speaker inputs. (My turntable has a built in pre-amp.):

[EndersShadow]

Now that my KA-60 is on its way how can I connect the PSW10 to it?

Hookup option 2 or 3 in the manual.

[joho1701]

Hookup option 2 or 3 in the manual.

Thanks, but I'm not sure how they apply. This is a simple TT to amp to speakers set-up, not home theater. Am I supposed to run my speakers wires straight into the posts on the back of the sub sub then run wires from the sub-out posts to the speaker-in of
the receiver? Or am I supposed to double up both speaker and sub wires to the in posts of the receiver?

[EndersShadow]

Thanks, but I'm not sure how they apply. This is a simple TT to amp to speakers set-up, not home theater. Am I supposed to run my speakers wires straight into the posts on the back of the sub sub then run wires from the sub-out posts to the speaker-in of
the receiver? Or am I supposed to double up both speaker and sub wires to the in posts of the receiver?

1. TT to amp
2. Amp speaker wire to Speaker in on PSW10
3. Speaker out on PSW10 to KLHs

My only question is how are you controlling volume? Did you mean to say amp or Receiver?

[joho1701]

My only question is how are you controlling volume? Did you mean to say amp or Receiver?

It's an integrated amp? It has a volume knob, bass, treble, etc as well as loudness lever.
Here's what one looks like from the front
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenwood-Ster...item3ccf7014ca

I'm thinking this will work fine for my turntable...

[mhardy6647]

yes, see the scan I posted earlier; it is a decidedly entry-level, compact footprint integrated amp ca. 1980 or very early 1980s.

[joho1701]

Thanks to everyone who replied! I'm looking forward to hearing the difference the Kenwood makes over the Superscope.
Best regards!