KD500

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Larry T

New Member
1D055092-B45A-4935-A013-95EAD8A89888.jpeg I’m looking at a KD500 at an online auction. I can’t try it out because there’s no phono cables. What type of tonearm is this? Are the cables universal like RCA jacks? The manual just says to attach the cable to the tonearm that is purchased separately. I know this ADC is highly regarded but I can’t check it out.
Thanks guys 1D055092-B45A-4935-A013-95EAD8A89888.jpeg
 
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MRL_Audio said:
Looks like the Black Widow to me... Very commonly found on these tables. The ADC is a perfect match for this arm.
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Thanks, I’m not up to speed on a lot of this. I’ve been getting by for years with a Hitachi HT-351 that a friend gave me, but a few TT’s have popped up on a local auction site lately. I don’t know what to bid up to or hard hard parts would be to come by. Now I can look for parts if I get it.
Thanks again!
 
Larry T said:
I’m looking at a KD500 at an online auction. I can’t try it out because there’s no phono cables. What type of tonearm is this? Are the cables universal like RCA jacks? The manual just says to attach the cable to the tonearm that is purchased separately. I know this ADC is highly regarded but I can’t check it out.
Thanks guys
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Generic 5 pin tone arm cable can be found on Ebay for approximately $120.00 and up. :music:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Viborg-Ton...361724?hash=item3ac469a7bc:g:pxsAAOSwpzJaRlOx
 
AK member posted here recently about purchasing a tonearm cable off of Ebay, I believe it was under $100. You can check recent completed sales of KD-500 and either the same tonearm or similar, tonearm was optional for the KD-500 which was considered a "REAL" entry level audiophile table circ 1980 when it had a lot of serious competition from other quality tables, not todays junk that claims to be entry level. I highly recommend the KD-500, do an AK Google search, should be plenty of info re this table on AK and I'm betting it will all be positive. Value estimate might best be gotten in AKs Dollars/Cents section. All I'll say is if it was made today it would be selling in the $1,500 range.
 
Nice tonearm for vintage cartridges that are very high compliance and don't generally have original styli available anymore. There are some good aftermarket stylus suppliers but I can't say if they are as good as the originals. It varies by cartridge choice, I'm sure.

The KD-500 is a great tt if the dust cover is in good shape as they seem to crack and break. Interesting design with the hinges on the top at the rear, the rear panel not moving from its fixed position on the table.

The arm is easily changed with a new armboard, a round, flat, chunk of whatever with holes drilled to accommodate mounting that disc on the table and then the installation instructions for that tonearm of choice can be installed. I've seen em with a number of different arms over the years and although there is a love or the ∞ Black Widow tonearm here on vintage all day long AK, low mass arms won't be the best with newer cartridges. But a new cartridge of the quality of that arm and table would cost over a grand so there is that.

I'd be happy to add that KD-500 to my group of turntables. I'll find a great cartridge to use with it, something like an Ortofon MC20.
 
Cover doesn't impact sound quality, not a complicated design so service will be minimal, looks complete to me other than a cable so you don't need any parts, stylus on ADC cartridge might have plenty of good hours left, I see little to nothing for negatives and a lot of positives.
 
This is the exact table and arm I have. And I absolutely LOVE it. The arm is an Infinity Black Widow. It’s as light as a feather. Go for it!!
 
Have the same table only with the Grace G707 arm also often mounted on these decks. This was Kenwoods TOTL table in its day, considered good enough it sold sans arm allowing the customer to supply the botique arm of choice.

Also available with an OEM arm sold as the KD550, a great table in its own right.

The Infinity Black Widow arm on that table was legendary when I was a kid, if able and the price is within budget I highly recommend this table.
 
Another satisfied KD-500/Infinity Black Widow owner checking in here. It's definitely a pretty sweet combo.
 
Wonderful table, I have one with Grace 707 arm. Although I have other tables, I cannot bring myself to consider parting with it even though AKer I bought it from has expressed interest in buying it back!
Good luck with auction!
 
Ya, the feet are gone but I have access to a machine shop, I’ve been looking at different models and have a few ideas I’ll try. Feet , cable, and maybe a stylus and I should be good to go. Bidding ends Thursday so I’ll post and let you guys know how it goes. I’m sure when it starts closing the serious buyers will come out, they’re all low balling it right now. Thanks for all the input guys, I think I’m gonna have fun with this. I got out of albums for many years but now my teen age daughter has me going to garage sales, record stores, and flea markets again.
 
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needlestein said:
Styli can be retipped for reasonable prices, preserving the high compliance suspension for many more years of listening enjoyment.
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I just wanted to thank everyone for the tips, ideas and advice. Bidding just closed on this and I got it for 148.50. It needs a few pieces and some elbow grease but I should be up to the task.
 
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