kenwood kw-44

Kenwood's KW-44 model was the successor to the KW-30 model. The basic change was in a more modern design. The previous one, in pastel colors and with a tin "two-level" front panel and plastic knobs (the same design is featured on the other side of the KW-70), was replaced by an aluminum milled front plate and Bakelite knobs with metal caps. The amplifier of the receiver worked in a Push & Pull configuration using 6BM8 / ECL82 tubes in an automatic bias system. The output power was approx. 2 x 10 W. It was intended for loudspeakers with a resistance of 8 and 16 ohms. The receiver could work with external signal sources, such as a turntable with a magnetoelectric cartridge. The RIAA correction preamplifier was a standard and quite good design from Kenwood on the two 12AX7 / ECC83. Apart from turntables, the AUX signal and a tape recorder could be connected to the receiver. The KW-44 had a total of 16 lamps on board. Although this model was a cheap, "budget" version, it worked very well. The FM head worked on two 6AQ8 / ECC85, but one section was responsible for the AFC. Behind the head there was a three-stage amplifier. and a well-working MPX decoder on two 6AU6 / EF94 and 6BL8 / ECF80 tubes. The receiver did not have a stereo indicator. On the front, there were colored "eyes" illuminated when tuning to a stereo signal. It consisted in switching to the "FM Stereo / Monitor" position (the appropriate light on the scale was then lit) and searched for a stereo station. When receiving stations with MPX signal, the "screeching" sound disappeared and it was necessary to switch to the "FM Stereo / Receive" position. This resulted in a change in the illumination of the bulb on the front. Complicated ? Very much, but Kenwood used this arrangement very often. Min. Lafayette LR-800 had a very similar layout. The budget solution was also the volume and balance control on one double independent potentiometer. The outer knob regulated the left channel, and the inner one, the one closer to the front, the right. The bandwidth control also had potentiometers with adjustable separate sections. The receiver had a loudspeaker switch on the front (which was important when listening on headphones), an MPX filter - because then the MPX signal often disturbed the audio path and Loudness switch to boost the sound physiologically.

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