• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

My new to me vintage turntable - Kenwood KD-550

T

twoengine

Active Member
I purchased this Kenwood KD=550 turntable off of craigslist for $180. It came with a new Audio Technica 440mla cartridge with 50 hours on it. The guy I bought it from even threw in a few free jazz records and a Behringer U-Phono UFO202 USB phono preamp. It sounds awesome. I also have a Pro-ject Debut Carbon turntable that has the infamous hum. The KD-550 has no hum and is dead silent. I couldn't be happier with my new vintage turntable. Here are a few pics of the turntable.
 

Attachments

  • P8020001.jpg
    P8020001.jpg
    67.1 KB · Views: 373
  • P8020002.jpg
    P8020002.jpg
    64.7 KB · Views: 335
  • P8020003.jpg
    P8020003.jpg
    66.2 KB · Views: 329
Register to hide this ad
twoengine said:
I purchased this Kenwood KD=550 turntable off of craigslist for $180. It came with a new Audio Technica 440mla cartridge with 50 hours on it. The guy I bought it from even threw in a few free jazz records and a Behringer U-Phono UFO202 USB phono preamp. It sounds awesome. I also have a Pro-ject Debut Carbon turntable that has the infamous hum. The KD-550 has no hum and is dead silent. I couldn't be happier with my new vintage turntable. Here are a few pics of the turntable.
Click to expand...

Excellent, with the original head shell too! :thmbsp:

(With azimuth adjustment feature build in.)
 
Very nice my man, very nice indeed. :thmbsp: I too started my vinyl comeback with a Pro-ject TT. Mine was the Debut III also with the hum. I have since switched to vintage also and am not looking back. Here's my Sansui SR-4050c.
 

Attachments

  • 157403.jpg
    157403.jpg
    89.3 KB · Views: 100
There is something wrong with that KD-550. All the ones I have seen have the Kenwood tag on the front either slanted or missing. What is that thing sticking up in the back>another headshell with a cartridge, part of sale or your stock?

Buy a nearly new cartridge for about the selling price and get a free high end turntable, some albums and a phono pre that you might want to use with your second or third table for free. One heck of a deal there. Well bought.
 
Nice Sansui TT bguzman.

Blue Shadow, yes I forgot to say that part of the sale was an extra Sony headshell with stanton cartridge.
 
twoengine said:
Nice Sansui TT bguzman.

Blue Shadow, yes I forgot to say that part of the sale was an extra Sony headshell with stanton cartridge.
Click to expand...

Thanks twoengine,

Your deal just gets better and better,
borat.gif
.
 
If memory serves me (I used to work on these) the KD-500 and KD-550 were the same TT except that the KD-550 came WITHOUT a tonearm so you could mount one of your choice. The KD-500 had a Kenwood tonearm as stock.

I have a KD-550 that I purchased, way back when, with a Linn Basic tonearm. I ditched the vinyl coated plywood tonearm base Kenwood supplied with the KD-550 and installed a solid Honduras Mahogany base for the tonearm.
 
Naquat you might have it reversed, the KD-500 was armless, the KD-550 came with the Kenwood tonearm that was quite decent. My memory may not be so sharp either but I believe the KD-500 came with a couple armboards for the dealer to install the tonearm of your choice. I still have a KD-500 with a Sumiko MMT tonearm, the motor is next to impossible to hear, it runs silent. Twoengine that was a great price and a great deal on a classic vintage table, cartridge etc.
 
Correct, the 500 came without a tonearm, the 550 came with the stock arm, which was made by Jelco. For either model the tonearms are easily interchanged. The arm board removes easily and there are many threads on how to make arm boards, etc.

I have a 550 with the stock arm, is a decent medium mass arm so you can jump right into some nice moving coil cartridges options.

What makes this deal amazing is the working stock dust cover. Note the hinges and the unique back piece. Most 500/550's, like mine, have broken hinges and dust covers.

The heavy plinth is awesome but the feet need to be carefully set to level the table. Sorbothane pads help for my table.

If you are handy open the bottom and check the ac power transformer. On mine the rubber mounting bushings got soft and rotten and the transformer was loose and would vibrate in its mount. I replaced the bushings with rubber washers to firmly secure the transformer and it made a noticeable difference, producing a blacker background.

I just might pull my 550 out of storage and give it a spin. :music::thmbsp:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom