There's Kenwood, & then again, there's Kenwood. That particular preamp's got a good rep for being reasonably clean, inexpensive, & reliable. I wouldn't worry. Kenwood cheaped out, just like every other mid-fi maker, later in the '80s & '90s, but their separates were usually good, not incredible- but then they weren't "incredible" priced, either. Even Marantz went through a stage around then- got bought out or something, I've forgotten-and put out some fairly sleazy pieces. I've been told they've gotten better lately, haven't heard for myself.
Kenwood tuners from the late '70s-early '80s are as good as anything else, & generally better. One of their models is considered THE (or tied for "THE" with a Sansui model, depending on who you ask) reference tuner, to which everything else is compared.
Buddy's cat apparently likes a high-end piece.
