I've been a huge integrated fan since a Kenwood integrated was one of the first real components I bought way back in like 1974 or 5. Even today when my system is so high end most would have separates I still prefer my integrated. The systems I've put together for friends have all used integrateds. Not vintage, maybe not even Japanese. Good is good regardless of age or who made it.
Thinking of that old Kenwood, like most vintage gear I guess, its the knobs, really the contacts, switches and stuff, that goes. Caps too I guess. Not making any claims for the Kenwood. Who knows if it was around today if it would really sound all that good? Even if cleaned and re-capped. Thinking back on what was in there, probably not. The stuff that seems to hold up and sound the best seems to always also be the simplest. Like tube gear, hardly anything in there to go wrong.
Thinking of that old Kenwood, like most vintage gear I guess, its the knobs, really the contacts, switches and stuff, that goes. Caps too I guess. Not making any claims for the Kenwood. Who knows if it was around today if it would really sound all that good? Even if cleaned and re-capped. Thinking back on what was in there, probably not. The stuff that seems to hold up and sound the best seems to always also be the simplest. Like tube gear, hardly anything in there to go wrong.