Kenwood KM-Z1 6-Channel THX Power Amplifier — 130 WPC, Japan

Kenwood KM-Z1 Home THX Six-Channel Power Amplifier — 130 Watts Per Channel All Channels Driven, Dual Power Supplies, Made in Japan

A six-channel THX-licensed power amplifier from Kenwood’s flagship home theatre era, freshly serviced on our bench, in very good condition.

Six Channels, One Chassis

One chassis drives an entire surround system. There are six identical amplifier channels here — front left and right, centre, both surrounds, and a sixth channel for a passive subwoofer — so a complete 5.1 speaker package runs from a single box with a single power cord, instead of a stereo amplifier and a second amplifier and the cabling to tie them together.

The Power Rating, Read Carefully

The power rating is the part worth reading carefully. Kenwood specifies 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms with all six channels driven simultaneously, across the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz band, at no more than 0.02% total harmonic distortion. That is the FTC continuous rating, measured the honest way. Into 6 ohms the figure rises to 150 watts per channel, and with only the left and right channels working the amplifier is rated at 135 watts each. All-channels-driven power is where multi-channel receivers quietly fall short, and it is the reason a separate amplifier gets bought in the first place.

Dual Power Supplies

Behind that rating is a genuinely serious power section: dual power supplies, one for each bank of three channels, so a demanding centre channel cannot rob the front pair during a loud passage. Cooling is by twin two-speed fans drawing air through internal heat-sink tunnels rather than external fins, which is why the chassis is flat-sided and stackable despite the amplifier weighing very nearly fifty-three pounds. Damping factor is 240, frequency response runs from 3 Hz to 100 kHz, and signal-to-noise measures better than 125 dB.

The THX Licence

The THX licence is printed on the rear panel — manufactured under licence from Lucasfilm — which in this era meant the amplifier had to meet Lucasfilm’s own performance standards rather than simply the manufacturer’s.

Connections

Connection is flexible, and this matters if you have wondered whether a flagship amplifier from a matched system is any use on its own. It is. There are six individual RCA inputs on the rear panel, one per channel, so any modern processor, surround preamplifier or AV receiver with pre-outs will drive it directly. The 25-pin connector alongside them is simply a tidier single-cable alternative for the Kenwood controller it originally partnered; nothing needs it. Speaker connections are six pairs of proper binding posts that take banana plugs, spades or bare wire.

Speaker Matching

Speaker impedance is rated at 6 to 16 ohms. Ordinary 8-ohm speakers are exactly what this amplifier is built for.

Cable Guidance from the Manual

Kenwood’s own manual points buyers at Lucasfilm’s THX cable guidance — 16 gauge or heavier for runs up to 24 feet — and we can build you cable to that specification in whatever length your room actually needs, terminated to suit these posts.

Origin, Service and Condition

The amplifier is a North American 120-volt unit, made in Japan, and it has been through Level 1 service on our bench. Condition is very good.

Delivery and Shipping

Available for pickup in Kanata. Because of its weight, this piece does not travel by standard courier — see the shipping note below; we arrange personal delivery or skid-mounted freight, and every piece is packed in-house in 275 lb test double-wall boxes.

Features

• Six identical amplifier channels — front left/right, centre, surround left/right, and subwoofer
• 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms with all six channels driven, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 0.02% THD
• 150 watts per channel into 6 ohms
• 135 watts per channel with left and right channels driven
• Home THX licensed under Lucasfilm
• Dual power supplies, one per three-channel amplifier bank
• Twin two-speed cooling fans with internal heat-sink tunnels
• Six individual RCA inputs plus a 25-pin multi-channel input
• Six pairs of binding posts, banana plug compatible
• Level 1 service completed on our bench
• Made in Japan

Kenwood KM-Z1 Home THX Six-Channel Power Amplifier Specifications

• Model: Kenwood KM-Z1
• Channels: 6
• Continuous Rated Output, all channels: 130 watts per channel, 8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.02% THD
• Continuous Rated Output, all channels: 150 watts per channel, 6 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.02% THD
• Continuous Rated Output, left and right: 135 watts per channel, 8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.02% THD
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.02% (20 Hz–20 kHz, 130 W, 8 ohms) · 0.001% (1 kHz, 65 W, 8 ohms)
• Damping Factor: 240 at 50 Hz
• Frequency Response: 3 Hz–100 kHz, +0/−3 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: better than 125 dB (IHF ’66)
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 1.1 V / 30 kilohms
• Speaker Impedance: 6–16 ohms
• Power: AC 120 V, 60 Hz, 9 A
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 17-5/16 x 6-1/4 x 17-11/16 inches (440 x 159 x 449 mm)
• Weight: 52.9 lbs (24 kg)
• Made in: Japan
• Condition: Very Good
• Service: Level 1

⚠️ Important Information for International Buyers

This unit is configured for North American 110/120V power. Buyers outside North America will require a step-down transformer and appropriate plug adapter.

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