I'd be interested in hearing reports from anyone using the Kenwood KTC-HR100TR (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=41&k3=154&pr=2379) HD radio tuner in their car. I did a search but only found one mention from about 7 months ago.

It looks like this add-on tuner plugs into most Kenwood head units to provide HD radio functionality. If that's the case it seems like an attactive way to go, since it would allow you to pick a head unit with the features you want (navigation, DVD, satellite, single or double DIN, etc.) and add HD radio to it.

I have the head unit. I did have the HD tuner, but couldn't pick up any HD signals to speak of, ended up returning to Crutchfield. I live 50 miles south of Indy. If I were closer to the towers, I would have kept it.

Sine then I've purchased the JVC HDR-1 for a different car, which does a decent job of picking up the HD FM signals where the Kenwood would not, but it might be a difference in the antenna. But, I may not had been patient enough with it.

I've got the HD Tuner. Works really well for HD (FM) in Atlanta. If you have a decent setup in your car it's very noticable when it goes from analog to digital (meaning it goes from "that sounds OK" to "Wow - that sounds really good!"). It does sound a lot better.

AM is a waste, though. There are some broadcasting rules and few stations seem to support it.

I bought it when they were offering a rebate (back in October, 2006). I never did get the rebate.

I've got this tuner paired up with the Kenwood DDX7015. Would have been nicer and probably cheaper to have it all in one package, but that's another topic. Hooks up by doing through the CD changer input and the antenna plugs into the factory antenna. No need to run a new antenna or wires to power the unit.

The HD tuner basically overrides the internal AM/FM tuner on the headunit. It picks up multicast signals if the station broadcasts it. It ends up interfacing more or less the same way. It will allow you to set the HD tuner to digital, analog, or Auto. If you set it to Auto, it will give priority to the digital signal, and switch to analog if it loses the digital signal. This does come in handy when you can't stand losing a signal, although after a while, you'll definitely hear the difference when it switches to analog. If your friends can't tell the difference, set it to digital and let them listen for a while, then switch to analog and they will definitely notice the difference.

I get a decent amount of reception around the Boston area. It really depends on your area and whether or not the stations do broadcast in HD. Note that there are some stations that broadcast in HD, but the sound quality is horrible and doesn't take full advantage of it.

Guys, when your Kenwood flips between the standard and HD radio modes, is there a gap and/or volume level difference, or is it fairly seamless? Also, does the HD module daisy-chain with a CD changer, satellite radio and/or iPod input, or do you make a choice between what you can add on?

I'm planning to upgrade the stereo in a new vehicle soon, and I'm still debating about whether to go all-out with a Kenwood navigation system and this add-on HD tuner, or just go with JVC's much cheaper but well-reviewed HD Radio head unit.

When it switches between analog and the HD signal in auto mode, it's seemless. If you have it set on analog, then switch to HD there will be a little gap. If you have it on HD then switch to analog, there's no gap.

The HD module I believe does daisy-chain with a CD changer as it's connected through the CD changer cable.

I'd probably go with a head unit that comes with the HD tuner. Less cables to run around the car. It's definitely cheaper to buy a single unit rather than going this route. Only reason why I went with this set up was because I already had the head unit.

Yeah, I would love to put the Kenwood touch screen system with navigation into this vehicle but I priced it out and it's pretty crazy, especially compared to the JVC. I realize that's an apples-to-oranges comparison but that JVC is just such a great bang for the buck if it performs as well as everyone says it does. Plus I live in the NYC area so if I put in the Kenwood it would probably be gone in a week (although if I got lucky they could just rip off the stereo and leave the car behind for me).

Oh well, it was fun thinking about it. Thanks for the replies.

I have had the KTC-HR100TR for a few months now and I love it. I'm going to buy 2 more for my other 2 cars with Kenwood units!!

My wife and I both have HDR in our cars. My wifes has the JVC and in mine the Kenwood DDX8017 with the KTC-HR100TR addon. The KTC-HR100TR has a little better reception than the JVC in the fringe areas. I do like being able to preset HD2-x stations on the KTC-HR100TR where on the JVC you can only preset the HD1 and then switch to the HD2 manually. Both sound very nice.

Kenwood has discontinued the KTC-HR100TR . :mad:

Does anyone know why the Kenwood HD receiver was discontinued and why Kenwood has not replaced it?

Costco.com has it for $129 as of 11/23/07

Was it in the store or on their website at Costco?

Any other places have it?

Was it in the store or on their website at Costco?

Any other places have it?

It was on their website; I think they are out now. I never checked the stores.