Many audio enthusiasts consider a monster receiver to be one that puts out 100 watts per channel or more. Well, this Kenwood KR-9050 puts out just that – 200 watts per channel. So, I guess it would be considered a monster receiver. It certainly has the size at almost 2 feet wide, over 18 inches deep and over 52 pounds! Still, the KR-9050 probably takes a back seat to the KR-9600 that collectors are the most fervent over. I’m not sure why because the 9600 has some design issues that can be difficult to overcome and only puts out 160 watts per channel. Perhaps it’s that the KR-9600 so firmly established itself as the top of the line receiver for Kenwood it overshadowed the KR-9050 when it came out. The KR-9060 is really just a KR-9600 with a bronze faceplate.
The Kenwood KR-9050 is the largest and most expensive receiver ever built by Kenwood. It is also the most powerful at 200 watts per channel with only 0.02% total harmonic distortion. And, of course, Kenwood produced some of the best tuners ever. With its Quartz Lock, adjustable IF bandwidth and two-level Stereo Sensitivity there really isn’t much more you could ask for in a tuner.
The KR-9050 is stuffed full with features and has analog meters spanning practically the entire length of the front of the receiver. It also has a 1/4 inch MIC input with its own level control so you could even play your guitar through this receiver though I don’t know if I’d recommended it. The only drawbacks to this receiver are that the switches are made of plastic and the knobs are plastic as well with metal caps and are not crisp in their operation.
Wow, look at that massive toroidal transformer! It’s actually larger than the transformer in the Pioneer SX-1250. Also, notice the large heatsinks that take up about a third of the inside of the unit. As many audio techs know the KR-9600 has issues with both the power switch as well as the TA-200W power packs and Darlington transistors it uses which are prone to failure and replacements are virtually unobtainable. In contrast, the KR-9050 doesn’t use the TA-200W or Darlington parts and is built with more easily replaceable parts. That is important if you plan on doing a restoration. A Kr-9600 that needs a resto is a totally different animal than a KR-9050 that needs the same.
Kenwood receivers are a site to behold when fully lit up and the KR-9050 is no exception. It is definitely one of the nicest looking receivers in the dark.
Being a true monster receiver the Kenwood KR-9050 is not cheap. It’s not very easy to find either and is probably more rare than the KR-9600. If you’re a Kenwood fan and want a holy grail receiver from them then this might just be the one.
Here’s a video showing the massive Kenwood KR-9050 in action:
“Many audio enthusiasts consider a monster receiver to be one that puts out 200 watts per channel or more.”
Wrong. That should be corrected to 100 watts per channel or more. If you were around when this audio gear was being sold new, speakers, receivers and amps rated at 100 watts or more were pricey and desirable. Most lists online will start the Monster receivers at 100 watts per channel and rightly so. The Pioneer SX-1010 is considered to be the first Monster receiver to be offered and was rated at 100 watts per channel. Otherwise you have a great website.
Hi Jack! Thanks for the comment. You are absolutely correct though some use 120 watts as a definition. It was a typo on my part and I have corrected it. Thanks for pointing it out.
What are your thoughts on the KR 9400?
It’s a good receiver. My friend in high school had one back in 1977. At that time I had a Sansui 9090 DB.
There was a bit of competition here, but we both respected each other’s equipment.
I just got my kr 9050 and its the loudest frickin stereo I have ever had hands down….. you could literally dj a nightclub with this beast .. I have 4 vintage fisher 3 way speakers and 4 tweeters two of the 10s have a hole each in them hookes2 to the beast and it sounds great so anybody interested in a purchase of this contact me at 317 406 6198 Josh Hoffman its fully functional and cosmetically outstanding
How much to part with her?
I have one. with original box. fully functional I am the only owner. Thinking about selling it.
Still available, and no rework? Where, and how much?
Thanks,
Tom
I am contemplating on purchasing this one but I am in a state of sticker shock.
$ 3000 ouch
I have a chance to buy a 9050 that has been serviced by a tech to be in its best possible condition, for $1600CAD (about $1200USD). I’m tempted to get it even as an investment, and its value will surely increase. But it’s hard to imagine an improvement on my Sony STR-V5, in a one-BR apartment. The 9050 would just be a waste of iron, other than the investment part of it.
I own many Receivers including 2 Pioneer SX1980s, 1 Hitachi SR2004, 1 Sansui G9700, 1 NIKKO NR1415, 1 Onkyo 8500MKii and many others.
The Kenwood KR9050 I have is in perfect condition and really out performs all of them and sounds super crisp and clean!.
The Sansui G9700 is similar in sound but not as strong.
Get a KR9050 while you can.
Rod
I also own many monsters, mostly black /European/versions of Pioneer, Sansui, Marantz, Technics… I wish I had a 9050 but I “only” have an 8850 which is the European version of the 8050 because the 9050 is not available here because it was not sold here. Anyway, hats off!
I have a kr 9050 with a pair of hpm 900s ive never heard anything better.
I have a Kenwood KR9050 I bought in Okinawa in 1978. It’s still in good condition. I’ve thought about selling it for $1400. Is that a fair price?
Steve.
Sounds reasonable to me. One sold for $1035 in January and it wasn’t fully functional but was in nice condition. Most sales over the last year on eBay have been from $1000 to $1350 so $1400 seems like a reasonable price to start with.
It’s a fair price. I’ve seen some pristine KR 9050s sell for close to $2,000.
Still availible?
Too cheap….
Kenwood produced some of the finest audio equipment the world has ever seen during the 1970s and early 1980s. Their standards were very high, just like Sansui and Pioneer. I personally own the 120 Watt per channel Kenwood KR-8050 receiver and three Kenwood Integrated Amplifiers (two KA-701s and a KA-907). They all look beautiful, sound crisp, and have a full set of tonal adjustments and other technical functions that make personal interaction with them enjoyable. The KA-907 at 150 Watts per channel using two separate transformers and four 18,000uF capacitors is an engineering masterpiece, as are the gorgeous KR-9050 and KR-8050 receivers. Solid and strong. Consider yourself lucky to appreciate and own such fine audio equipment, as it will never be made like this again in our lifetime. Larry K.
That is true !
I have a Kenwood KR-9050 receiver I want to sell for $2000 plus shipping. Just had professionally serviced. All new caps and filters. It’s the kit advertised on eBay for $195 plus the $45 LED kit. Ready for another 30+ years!
Donald_pollock@hotmail.com
Don
Sounds like we are on opposite ends of the rainbow, lol. I was recently given a KR-9050 in its box, out of a barn with a leaky roof. Are you still enjoying yours Don Pollock? Did sell it?
Could you share where you had it serviced?
I have owned myKR 9050 for 40 years and it’s in need of a good restoration, any help would be appreciated. In Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Can you email me some pictures? Include all sides, top and closeups of the front panel controls. I would appreciate it very much and would be interested in buying if I like what I see.
Thanks,
Steve
geigerusa@hotmail.com
Steve I will offer you a thousand plus, if willing. I purchased my first one in Houston back in 1980 for 1050 plus tax. Of course there was a sale going on, back then. I believe miss Playboy bunny was there, promoting this equipment, so I was all in. Let me know.
Brendan just plug it in and turn it on. You could call the company directly and send it in to be serviced.
I loved it due to the fact it was my first high powered receiver I purchased. I love my music loud and this baby produced.
Reminded me of John Belushi when he purchased his first condo in New York. “I loved my music loud and clear.” Always had the police coming over and tell him “Mr. Belushi could you please turn it down?”
Glenn
Steve, Don or Brendan you can reach out to me if still will to depart with your equipment. Let’s communicate and see what happens.
Glenn
tinpanman6160@gmail.com
Anyone still out there?……have a chance to pick one of these babies up, currently running the Model 9GX driving ADS 1290/2’s…..is the 9050 going to give me that much better performance?
searching for more than 2 years I found one finally! And, luckily, from my technician-of-trust (absolute pro for vintage-audio) who checked all caps and connections, cleaned and sealed all podis. In near-mint condition beside some small scratches on the wood-case which I will re-work propperly. That`s one hell of a receiver and I am happy as a kid on christmas-day beside the fact it has never been officially sold in Germany, only U.S and Japan-market. This beautiful beast will never leave my household again.
I would be glad if someone could provide a manual (user`s guide).
We obtained one of these from my wife’s late grandfather. Just had it restored… I knew as soon as she brought it home that I had a gem and needed to pay someone who knew what they were doing. Only cost me $300 to fully restore it!! I’ve got nice pair of Wharfdale Denton speakers that I’m hooking this up to. I also will have the fun task of making it usable for the rest of my entertainment set up, as my tv does not have RCA jacks just an optic out. So I guess I’ll need a DAC.
The AUX and Phono inputs aren’t color coded, is there a standard on if red or white goes on top?
Don’t think it really matters but White is usually the Left channel and Red the Right channel.
I would love to find someone close to me in Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577 that would restore my KR 9050 for me! Don’t really want to ship it! Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Justin, I just had mine serviced/refreshed about two months ago. I live in Florida.
There’s a KR-9050 currently up for auction on ShopGoodwill.com – ends 6/2/2025 at 7:43pm PDT. Shipping from this seller is $0.01 anywhere in the US (which is significant, for a 55-lb receiver!).
Top bid as of 6/1/25 10:30pm is $1300. Condition description is “powers on.” It looks to be in good physical condition.
Jump in there, those of you who can afford these! (I can’t, but got curious about this receiver when I saw it and some searching led me to this site.)
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/231560987
Joe in NC
Sold for $2601.
Nice looking receiver… lots of meters indeed.
But how does it really sound? Aren’t we overdoing the nostalgia here?
OK, so I know my classics… I have a Marantz 2325, 4415 (with SAQ1, CD4 and wired remote), Akai AS980 (with wired remote), Sansui G7500, Kenwood KA3500/KT5300, KT9900.. and a number of Teacs and NAD monitor series that don’t get enough love. Oh, I got stacks of Parasound Z components with three very rare mini stacks.
All of my stuff has been rebuilt to OEM specs… no LEDs, original devices -The G7500 OP devices took half a year to find, I had a spare set for the KA3500. The Marantz are fine, except their circuit board traces can be problematic… same with the NAD.
But, when it comes to prices, it’s ridiculous. As an audiophile you can go and get a very good sounding system… tube preamp, nice preamp and a tuner for less than 3000 bucks… and it will blow away, in sound quality, any of the consumer products.
Yes, I have a bunch of DIY and used Hi End products too. I think I’m past 40 amps by now…
So, I wonder why people get these things… It can only be the looks, because by sound, they are dark and slow compared to a class A amp or a nice pentode tube amp and preamp… Even something like an AB Conrad Johnson MF2100 with MOSFETs can be found for 700 bucks and those are really good sounding 200 wpc amps.
Nevermind a Purify or NCore amp!