Differences between a Kenwood KD-2055 and a KD-3055?

[BilboBaggins]

I’ve had three or four KD-2055s and I’m getting back a KD-3055 that I dropped off at my techs, tomorrow. It got me to thinking, what are the differences between the two? They both have the ARCB plinth, they are both automatic, and they are both belt drives. They also use the same dust cover.



The top one was my very first KD-2055. I still have the Kenwood badge on the front that I forgot to give the buyer.


This is the KD-3055. I guess I’ve had it for longer than I realized. The Tangents have been gone since spring.

I see the control panel has an extra button. I don’t remember what the two of them did. I also suspect a slightly different tonearm. I can say better tomorrow.


Can anyone comment? Just wandering if anyone has ever seen a KD-3055 before. This is the first one I’ve ever seen.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I did some digging after posting this. Read some good threads here on AK. The 2055 is a semi automatic table. The 3055 is fully automatic, can be played semi, has repeat, and stop.

I have always liked these tables. I never considered replacing my Thorens with one, but I am considering replacing my Thorens with the KD-650! I really like that table! But I’ve always loved the sound of the Kenwood ARCB tables. I also had an Optonica Granite like table with a similar sound, or should I say lack of sound.

 

[Montycat]

I think they are cool too. That stick shift used to cock the auto return is almost my favourite part after the ARCB base.

There is the fiddly little plastic spring in the return trigger which sometimes fails but otherwise it's a pretty good design.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Yes, that stick shift is pretty cool!

Well, I got back the 3055, and noticed the plinth is smaller than the 650. This week has been pretty busy so far, so I haven’t had a chance to do anything more with it.