What year was the Kenwood TS-520 released?

[T23]

I have purchased a Kenwood TS-520, I just wanted to know what year these rigs were produced. The one I purchased has a serial number beginning in 05XXX I believe.


T23

 

[Mudfoot]

Kenwood dates by subtracting 2 from the first number. This gives you the year.

=5xxxx

73, 83, 93.

 

[T23]

So mine would be 1988 or 1978?

 

[Mudfoot]

Likely 78, can't remember when they quit making them. I've never owned one, but have heard many on the air. They sound good and most that own, covet them.

 

[T23]

I know, there driving the prices up on ebay! If you read eham reviews, you used to could get them for $150.

 

[Mudfoot]

A local friend has one. He bought it new and it's all he's ever had. He really likes it. He not rich, but easily could afford a new rig. Just chooses to keep his 520. I have played his a few times.

I've been looking for one, but all I've seen so far were junky and abused. I remember seeing a new factory sealed wharehouse TS-520 find one ebay around a year ago. Can't recall exact price, but it was crazy high. I think I posted a link about it on here somewhere.

I'm still looking for a good specimen for my shack.

 

[T23]

I saw one of those "in factory box" units a few months ago, it went for $800 to $1200 if I remember correctly.


T23

 

[Mudfoot]

If it was truly NIB...


I'd probably pay $800 for one. I just like the looks and especially the audio of the 520.

 

[T23]

What type of mic does the person you know use with theirs?

 

[Mudfoot]

D 104

 

[T23]

Amplified or non-amplified?

 

[Mudfoot]

His is amplified.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TS-520_820_530_830/

 

[T23]

I thought the input impedance was 50k, the amplified version of the d-104 stand is matched from the hi-z element through the amp board to about 600ohms. Is the audio affected at all?

 

[reddog45]

I run an 820 which is very close to the 520 aside from the freq counter my 820 has. I run a 300 ohm shure sm58 mic to a line transformer to convert the signal back up to high impedance which is what all the kenwood hybrids prefer, then to a 4 pin right into the radio. I get good reports with my shure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

45, North Florida

 

[Mudfoot]

The D104 will play well. You just need to find the sweet spot.