Kenwood A 85 hifi wires - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Lexicon · 20th Oct 2025, 1:13 pm

Hi
I need help how to connect system control wires in Kenwood A 85 model.
Ther are 2 plugs in each unit
Cd. Cassette Player. Tunder. Equaliser.amp
Which one connects to which?
Thanks

Uncle Bulgaria · 21st Oct 2025, 10:44 am

This picture appears to show them all daisy-chained together. If you haven't got the original plugs and wires, you might find it rather difficult unless the connectors are generic and you can make up your own.

Radio Wrangler · 21st Oct 2025, 1:35 pm

They look to be a sort of stackable connector of a type I've not seen elsewhere.

Stackable would mean all get connected in parallel. software has to sort out addressing and protocol.

Could be derived from Philips' I2C bus. Sony and Philips have collaborated several times.

David

paulsherwin · 21st Oct 2025, 7:29 pm

This is an early 90s stacking midi system. To clarify, are you talking about the control links that allow the units to communicate with each other, or are you talking about the RCA audio connections? The units should be usable in standalone mode with just the audio links.

FrankB · 22nd Oct 2025, 5:07 am

Fisher used to make systems using the proprietary interconnect cables also.

That said, look for missing jumper wires between the pre-amp outputs and the amp inputs.

Edward Huggins · 22nd Oct 2025, 7:54 am

If you're not sure about those proprietary interconnects, just use standard RCA Phono cables and connect all 3 sections up as if they were "separates".

Nickthedentist · 23rd Oct 2025, 8:29 am

Good advice Edward BUT does the tuner have its own mains power supply, or does it draw power from the amp via one of the proprietary ribbon cables?

paulsherwin · 23rd Oct 2025, 9:10 am

Yes, it looks as if the tuner needs a low voltage supply from somewhere. The other bits seem to have mains inputs.

Welsh Anorak · 23rd Oct 2025, 10:08 am

That shouldn't be a problem as the low voltage supply is hard wired to the tuner unit with a plug on the end of the flying lead for connection to the amplifier.

Some Pioneer systems also did this to save having multiple power supplies.

The second wire is for the remote control to link the units and is not absolutely necessary. If needed, this can be obtained as a spare part.

As Edward suggests, perhaps all the OP needs is a few RCA cables. Perhars he could let us know exactly what's missing?

20th Oct 2025, 1:13 pm	#1
Lexicon New Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Posts: 1	Kenwood A 85 hifi wires Hi I need help how to connect system control wires in Kenwood A 85 model. Ther are 2 plugs in each unit Cd. Cassette Player. Tunder. Equaliser.amp Which one connects to which? Thanks

21st Oct 2025, 10:44 am	#2
Uncle Bulgaria Dekatron Join Date: May 2016 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 3,062	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires This picture appears to show them all daisy-chained together. If you haven't got the original plugs and wires, you might find it rather difficult unless the connectors are generic and you can make up your own. Attached Thumbnails

21st Oct 2025, 1:35 pm	#3
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 24,914	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires They look to be a sort of stackable connector of a type I've not seen elsewhere. Stackable would mean all get connected in parallel. software has to sort out addressing and protocol. Could be derived from Philips' I2C bus. Sony and Philips have collaborated several times. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

21st Oct 2025, 7:29 pm	#4
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 30,573	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires This is an early 90s stacking midi system. To clarify, are you talking about the control links that allow the units to communicate with each other, or are you talking about the RCA audio connections? The units should be usable in standalone mode with just the audio links.

22nd Oct 2025, 5:07 am	#5
FrankB Heptode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Olympia, Washington, USA. Posts: 732	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires Fisher used to make systems using the proprietary interconnect cables also. That said, look for missing jumper wires between the pre-amp outputs and the amp inputs.

22nd Oct 2025, 7:54 am	#6
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 9,180	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires If you're not sure about those proprietary interconnects, just use standard RCA Phono cables and connect all 3 sections up as if they were "separates". __________________ Edward.

23rd Oct 2025, 8:29 am	#7
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 19,223	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires Good advice Edward BUT does the tuner have its own mains power supply, or does it draw power from the amp via one of the proprietary ribbon cables?

23rd Oct 2025, 9:10 am	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 30,573	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires Yes, it looks as if the tuner needs a low voltage supply from somewhere. The other bits seem to have mains inputs.

23rd Oct 2025, 10:08 am	#9
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 7,685	Re: Kenwood A 85 hifi wires That shouldn't be a problem as the low voltage supply is hard wired to the tuner unit with a plug on the end of the flying lead for connection to the amplifier. Some Pioneer systems also did this to save having multiple power supplies. The second wire is for the remote control to link the units and is not absolutely necessary. If needed, this can be obtained as a spare part. As Edward suggests, perhaps all the OP needs is a few RCA cables. Perhars he could let us know exactly what's missing? __________________ Glyn