Kenwood KX-1030 Stereo Cassette Deck — Three Ferrite Heads, Double Dolby View Watchlist >
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Lot # G535
System ID # 30370601
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Kenwood KX-1030 Stereo Cassette Deck — Three Ferrite Heads, Double Dolby
A late-1970s Kenwood KX-1030 front-loading stereo cassette deck built by Trio-Kenwood Corp. in Japan, finished in brushed aluminum with a walnut-grain top wrap. The transport runs three ferrite heads — erase, record, and playback — enabling true off-tape monitoring during recording, a feature that separated mid-tier decks from entry-level hardware of the period. Noise reduction is handled by Kenwood's licensed Double Dolby system, covering both Type B encoding and decoding. Twin illuminated VU meters with a combined peak indicator dominate the center panel, flanked by a three-digit mechanical tape counter with memory-stop. Adjustable bias trimming, a Normal/Chrome/Reserve tape selector, and Full Auto Shut Off round out the feature set.
Front-panel layout is purpose-built for hands-on use: dual concentric MIC and LINE input level controls, a master OUTPUT knob, Dolby N.R. and source/tape monitor slide switches, a front-panel headphone jack, and left/right microphone inputs. The rear panel provides RCA Line Out and Line In pairs, a DIN Rec/Play combination jack, and a ground post — covering both modern RCA integration and period DIN-equipped receivers. The KX-1030 sits in Kenwood's late-1970s separates lineup as a step above their budget transports, offering the bias adjustment and metering resolution that analog recordists actually needed for consistent tape-to-tape results.
CONDITION
Good and fully functional; tested and working with no remarkable damage. Shows previous signs of use with minor scuffing to the aluminum faceplate. A white object is present behind the left glass VU meter.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Model: KX-1030 (B40-2173-08)
- Manufacturer: Trio-Kenwood Corp., Made in Japan
- Serial No.: 826432
- Power: AC 120V, 13W, 60Hz
- Heads: Three ferrite (erase, record, playback)
- Noise Reduction: Double Dolby (Type B encode/decode)
- Tape Compatibility: Normal (Type I), Chrome (Type II), Reserve (Type IV/FeCr)
- Bias Adjustment: Manual, left/right independent
- Metering: Dual VU meters with peak indicator
- Counter: 3-digit mechanical with memory stop
- Auto Shut Off: Yes — Full Auto Shut Off
- Inputs: RCA Line In (L/R), Mic In L/R (front panel)
- Outputs: RCA Line Out (L/R), Headphone (front panel)
- Combined: DIN Rec/Play jack (rear)
- Ground Post: Yes (rear)
- Overall: 6-5/16" H × 17-1/8" W × 12-5/8" D
- Weight: 8.8 lbs.
- UL Listed: LL-35791
