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Kenwood KD-500 - ToneArm Replacement - Thoughts?

K

kws87

New Member
Looks like I found a Kenwood KD-500 DD TT locally. They're asking $175, but it looks like a broken tonearm, not sure what else may/may not be wrong with it. I'd be up for a project, but what would you say would be a good price for it? And, how much am I looking at to fix it up?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/4424626720.html

*in no way affiliated with me, just dont wont to get into a money pit of a fixer upper
 
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Hi,
I have a KD-500 with a Grace 707 tonearm.
Really sounds nice, I have seen postings of that same table with a Black Widow.
 
I bought a 500 that had a broken arm for 150.00. The broken arm was a black widow and I asked if I could have it. Bought a new arm wand on eplay and haven't looked back. Maybe you can fix the arm that's broken on yours.... or pick up a BW or Grace or ?????? to stick on it.
 
Bucky Badger said:
I bought a 500 that had a broken arm for 150.00. The broken arm was a black widow and I asked if I could have it. Bought a new arm wand on eplay and haven't looked back. Maybe you can fix the arm that's broken on yours.... or pick up a BW or Grace or ?????? to stick on it.
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That looks to be a Black Widow on this one if I'm not mistaken.
Maybe replacement of the arm wand is an option for you to consider? See if you can get it for a bit less, but $175 sounds pretty fair while not a huge score
 
You should check on the turntable forum but that tonearm mount looks exactly like an SME mount to me. For high-compliance cartridges, get an SME 3009-III; for lower compliance look for another SME. I think Infinity saw SME as THE competition at the time and set up their product accordingly. Graham does the same thing now. Good luck!
 
kws87 said:
...just dont wont to get into a money pit of a fixer upper
Click to expand...

Not much chance of that with a KD-500; you already know you're either going to fix the existing arm or buy a new one. As long as the TT itself works properly (and they usually do), that's pretty much all there is to it. And the price is certainly right.

Happy trails,
Larry B.
 
Forget about the nitpicking and scores that you might not find in five years, run get it before someone else does, the price is well below market just for the KD-500 alone without the Black Widow TA that's broken and could possibly be fixed, sold for parts etc. Other TAs that was popular with the KD-500 was the Sumiko MMT, Grace G707 $250-$300.
 
Agree with majick, that table is really sweet. If all else is good and just need to replace the arm you could be a happy camper for a while.
I've heard some people regretting they sold theirs.
 
Just go buy the TT and we'll help you get a great tone arm.

I have a Grace 704 that's pretty sweet.

Good luck

Eric
 
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majick47 said:
Forget about the nitpicking and scores that you might not find in five years, run get it before someone else does, the price is well below market just for the KD-500 alone without the Black Widow TA that's broken and could possibly be fixed, sold for parts etc. Other TAs that was popular with the KD-500 was the Sumiko MMT, Grace G707 $250-$300.
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I second this, great great price for the table even with NO arm. I have seen Technics EPA arms mounted to these tables as well. I highly doubt you will not like the table.
 
Yeah,grab it in an instant! It's a superb table that's got lovely looks and excellent build quality,and most importantly sound quality to match.. I'm running mine with a SME Series III tonearm (not the S budget/stripped down version).
It's a light arm,but sounds exceptional.. Sometime or another,I'm gonna try to fit my other older SME Series II tonearm/Shure V15 MK3 cart to it,then see which I prefer,but the SME Series III/Grado black cart combo sure is gonna take some beating!
 
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Also forgot to add...A good idea would be to check the stability of the pitch control on both 33 rpm/45 rpm speed modes (and if the orange color pitch checking bulb still works). If not.. it's not the end of the world,as it can usually still be cured by a simple cleaning of the speed controls inside the TT,but you might be able to get some $$ knocked off the price if this is the case.
 
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Great price if everything else checks out

I just bought a KD-550 on eBay and paid almost 3 times the asking price of your find. Of course mine came with a good stock tonearm, but still...as others have posted, you can find a great arm to mate with that table and at the asking price you're way ahead of the game. Haven't had mine long and still experimenting with carts/dialing it in, but so far I love it!
 
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