Kenwood PS 430 Manual

The Kenwood PS 430 is a high-performance stereo power amplifier delivering 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms, featuring dual mono construction, toroidal transformer, gold-plated RCA inputs, speaker protection circuitry, and robust aluminum chassis. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

Features at a Glance

Key components: Dual mono amplifier design, toroidal power transformer, gold-plated input connectors, speaker protection circuit, aluminum front panel.

Feature	Description
Power Output	150W per channel into 8Ω (20Hz-20kHz)
Input Sensitivity	1V for 150W output
Frequency Response	5Hz-100kHz (+0/-3dB)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	>110dB (A-weighted)
Total Harmonic Distortion	<0.005% (20Hz-20kHz)
Input Impedance	47kΩ
Damping Factor	>200 (8Ω, 50Hz)
Power Requirements	230V/115V AC, 50/60Hz
Dimensions	430mm × 150mm × 380mm (W×H×D)
Weight	15kg

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, level surface with adequate ventilation.

1. Positioning: Allow minimum 10cm clearance on all sides for proper ventilation.
2. Power connection: Connect supplied power cord to rear panel and wall outlet.
3. Speaker connections: Use high-quality speaker cables to connect speakers.
4. Source connections: Connect preamplifier or source component using RCA cables.

WARNING! Amplifier is heavy; lift with care using proper technique. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent overheating.

First-Time Setup

Power on amplifier following proper sequence.

1. Connect all cables before powering on.
2. Turn volume on preamplifier to minimum.
3. Power on amplifier: Switch POWER button to ON position.
4. Wait 3-5 seconds for protection circuit to initialize.
5. Slowly increase volume to desired listening level.

CAUTION! Always power on amplifier last and power off first in your audio system chain.

Specifications

• Power Output: 150W + 150W (8Ω, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.05% THD)
• Dynamic Power: 200W (8Ω), 300W (4Ω)
• Inputs: 2 × RCA line level (gold-plated)
• Outputs: 2 pairs speaker terminals (gold-plated)
• Power Consumption: 500W maximum, 50W standby
• Cooling: Convection cooling with aluminum heatsinks
• Protection: DC offset, overcurrent, thermal, short circuit
• Construction: Dual mono, separate power supplies per channel

Controls and Connections

Front Panel: POWER switch with indicator LED. Rear Panel: AC input, speaker terminals, RCA inputs.

Connections: LEFT/RIGHT speaker outputs (red/black binding posts), INPUT 1/INPUT 2 RCA jacks, AC power inlet with voltage selector.

Operation: Power on/off using front panel switch. LED indicator shows power status (red = standby, blue = operating). No volume or tone controls - use with external preamplifier.

Connecting Audio Sources

Use with preamplifier, integrated amplifier pre-out, or source with variable output.

1. Turn off all components before making connections.
2. Connect preamplifier outputs to amplifier RCA inputs.
3. Connect speakers observing correct polarity (+ to +, - to -).
4. Ensure all connections are secure and cables are routed properly.

Tip: Use high-quality interconnects and speaker cables for optimal performance.

Operation Guidelines

Designed for continuous high-performance operation.

1. Power sequence: Always turn on amplifier last, turn off first.
2. Volume control: Adjust at preamplifier, not at amplifier.
3. Warm-up: Allow 30 minutes for optimal sonic performance.
4. Load impedance: Compatible with 4-16 ohm speakers.
5. Bi-wiring: Supports bi-wiring with dual speaker terminals.

WARNING! Do not operate without proper load (speakers connected). Avoid shorting speaker terminals.

Protection Features

Comprehensive protection circuitry: DC offset detection, overcurrent protection, thermal protection, short circuit protection. Protection LED indicates fault condition.

Care & Maintenance

Unplug before cleaning. Use soft, dry cloth for exterior. Keep ventilation openings clear of dust.

CAUTION! Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosols. Internal service should only be performed by qualified technicians.

Regulatory Information

CE compliant; meets European safety and EMC standards. Manufactured under ISO 9001 quality standards. Copyright © Kenwood Corporation. For support, visit www.kenwood.com or contact authorized service centers.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
No sound output	Protection mode/power	Check power connection; ensure speakers connected; wait for protection reset.
Protection LED lit	Overload/fault	Turn off, check speaker wires for shorts, allow cooling if overheated.
Distorted sound	Input level/connections	Reduce preamplifier volume; check input connections; verify source quality.
Hum or noise	Grounding/cables	Check cable routing; ensure proper grounding; use balanced connections if available.
Overheating	Ventilation/load	Ensure adequate ventilation; check speaker impedance compatibility.

Reset: Power cycle amplifier to reset protection circuits.

Service: Contact authorized Kenwood service center for internal repairs.