Kenwood KX-7030 specifications

Brand : Kenwood

General

Tech nical data

special features

HF-bias: 210 kHz
heads: 3 (A/W Hard permalloy, erase head double gap ferrite)
motor: 3 electronically controlled DC-runner
flutter: 0,045 % (WRMS ) / 0,1 % (DIN)
band types: IEC type I, II, IV
transmission range/frequency response:
- type I: 20 Hz - 18 kHz (+/- 3dB)
- type II: 20 Hz - 19 kHz (+/- 3dB)
- type IV: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+/- 3dB)
total harmonic distortion: < 0,7 %
signal-to-noise ratio (type IV):
- with Dolby C: 74 dB
- with Dolby B: 67 dB
- without Dolby : 59 dB
input sensitivity/impedance:
- Line RCA/RCA R/L = 77.5 mV / 50 K-ohms
output level/impedance:
- Line RCA/RCA R/L = 490 mV / 3 kω
- headphones 6,35 mm Jack = 0,85 mW / 8 Ohm s (with level control)
noise reduction Dolby B, C, Dynamic extension HX-Pro

The KX-7030 belongs to that Generation - the beginning of the Nineties, where the production of good-quality playback, even in a lightweight design and highly integrated Circuits a good grip.
I bought a KX-7030 myself some time ago, which probably almost broke down with the previous owner. It is now running flawlessly. The sound quality that the Deck original offers is somewhere between a Sony TC-K 690 and TC-K 770, which is already very satisfactory from an absolute point of view.
But I wouldn't call it a dragonkiller or a quality equivalent to a real topdeck.
It is an upper middle class deck and not a top class deck from that time.

If you can handle the soldering iron, you can get a little more playback quality out of the device by replacing the numerous coupling elements in the signal paths with e.g. Nichicon bipolars (the green ones, not expensive). Also, the Siebelkos in the power supply branches should be renewed. The replacement of the ceramic capacitors with film types of the same value is also positively noticeable. If you are still recording on tape, you should exchange the NJM4565DD for an NJM2068DD in the recording branch. Which, however, requires a recalibration of the recording branch.
Overall, such a revised KX-7030 then comes in a subtle way better, smoother, with better resolution and contouring.
My tapes recorded with a TC-K 770 are now reproduced 1:1 by the KX-7030 in terms of sound. An exchange of the used Toshiba Opamp can be saved imho, if you increase the component quality in its environment a little. Of course, provided that the azimuth is correct, and the sound heads are demagnetized.