Picked up a Kenwood Kd-650 today!

[Blue Shadow]

The ∞BW was available in aluminum in the early models and CF in the later models. There were three different versions. Stepped and not stepped were another differentiation but I don't recall if that was the al or cf tube. Have it in my notes.

 

[SteveHammond]

I believe the BW was also carbon fiber so.....

yep, here it is
Description
The Infinity Black widow features a low mass carbon fibre arm tube.

Mine is aluminum which means it’s a first gen design I believe.

 

[SteveHammond]

Here’s what I have so far.

You have a spare armtube for the BW? Is that what is there with a cartridge attached? Maybe resurrect the BW, too.

I don’t think i can resurrect the old arm unless I could find some tubing that has the same of as the original arms Id and cut and braze sleeves to rejoin the broken sections or epoxy.

 

[Blue Shadow]

what is the weight of the aluminum vs the cf tubes? Not a big deal you can make the cf work great.

 

[Nat]

It might be easier to replace the entire cuing mechanism in the 650 tonearm than to repair it. And given the prices for arms, I'm not sure that you would get a better arm for your budgeted amount - different isn't the same as better, and better is a fuzzy description - depends on the cartridge, and to a lesser degree, on your taste - it isn't just the sound, in addition, the feel of an arm has a strong affect on whether we like it or not.

 

[SteveHammond]

A tone arm is born.

 

[SteveHammond]

Those were supposed to be closeups of my machining work for a peer inspection.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Glad to see the BW getting put back together again. Should work just fine.

 

[SteveHammond]

Glad to see the BW getting put back together again. Should work just fine.

Man I sure hope so...

 

[SteveHammond]

It might be easier to replace the entire cuing mechanism in the 650 tonearm than to repair it. And given the prices for arms, I'm not sure that you would get a better arm for your budgeted amount - different isn't the same as better, and better is a fuzzy description - depends on the cartridge, and to a lesser degree, on your taste - it isn't just the sound, in addition, the feel of an arm has a strong affect on whether we like it or not.

Thank you, that’s a perspective I haven’t considered until I read your recommendations and I’ll have to say thank you for giving me something to think about.

 

[SteveHammond]

Well, here’s the new carbon fiber tone arm I just finished it today but still have to put shrink tube over the cart connectors.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Well, here’s the new carbon fiber tone arm I just finished it today but still have to put shrink tube over the cart connectors.

looks great

 

[Blue Shadow]

I am so sorry for condition of your ∞BW arm. It really isn't the new armtube, but the lack of the red BW logo on the front end of the arm support that appears to be missing. I think that detail is the coolest thing about arm. On to your work. It looks good and if you have a good alignment method and get good results that is great. Maybe the mass is a bit higher, I don't know the mass of the old arm tube vs. the new armtube but a bump up on effective mass wouldn't be a bad thing for these old arms with limited very high compliance cartridges available today.

Glad you got that project almost done. Looks good.

 

[SteveHammond]

I am so sorry for condition of your ∞BW arm. It really isn't the new armtube, but the lack of the red BW logo on the front end of the arm support that appears to be missing. I think that detail is the coolest thing about arm. On to your work. It looks good and if you have a good alignment method and get good results that is great. Maybe the mass is a bit higher, I don't know the mass of the old arm tube vs. the new armtube but a bump up on effective mass wouldn't be a bad thing for these old arms with limited very high compliance cartridges available today.

Glad you got that project almost done. Looks good.

Well I have an answer to the weight differences between the carbon fiber tail boom and the original aluminum tone arm of the infinity BW. I took all the pieces and weighed them on my scales and they came in right at 2.43g, the carbon fiber tail boom was weighed after being cut to size and all modifications to make it a direct replacement which means I had to make another metal bushing for the counter weight end. All of that together as one piece came to 2.36g. I honestly do not hear any differences in sound using the sure m105E cartridge with a n97xe elliptical tip stylus .7 I believe but I would love to hear your thoughts on the weight differences, will it make a big difference or am I ok? Oh and I noticed the absence of the emblem and that really is a shame. This is my first nice tt and tone arm combo so I’m kind of unfamiliar with the Intricacies of these arms.also, I used the wire taken directly from a new set of Apple ear buds for the wiring, I hope that too was ok.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Weight differences not a thing they are so close. But...You have just upgraded an original smooth aluminum first gen BW to a later smooth CF tube arm. Gotta be happy with those results. Now to find a worthy cartridge instead of that "We don't make cartridges anymore" Shure 'stopgap' M97Xe what ever nail is chosen to make up for the fact that Shure was getting out of the business and didn't care what kind of diamond they glued to the cantilever.

 

[SteveHammond]

Oh and by the way as embarrassing as it is to say, you guys were right, i didn’t notice it was upside down either (the rubber platter mat for those of you just tuning in.) yes indeed it was inverted from its intended direction...

 

[SteveHammond]

Weight differences not a thing they are so close. But...You have just upgraded an original smooth aluminum first gen BW to a later smooth CF tube arm. Gotta be happy with those results. Now to find a worthy cartridge instead of that "We don't make cartridges anymore" Shure 'stopgap' M97Xe what ever nail is chosen to make up for the fact that Shure was getting out of the business and didn't care what kind of diamond they glued to the cantilever.

I also have a Grado Prestige green, shure type 15 v Iv and v, and some junky AT’s but that’s about all of my selection and don’t really have the cash to drop big money on a cart although the Nagaoka MP-110 has caught my eye. I still have a lot to research as in what carts best for the BW tonearm on the 500 and what’s a good choice of arm for my 650. Too many decisions...

 

[SteveHammond]

Weight differences not a thing they are so close. But...You have just upgraded an original smooth aluminum first gen BW to a later smooth CF tube arm. Gotta be happy with those results. Now to find a worthy cartridge instead of that "We don't make cartridges anymore" Shure 'stopgap' M97Xe what ever nail is chosen to make up for the fact that Shure was getting out of the business and didn't care what kind of diamond they glued to the cantilever.

Oh and btw, I’m more than happy with the results seeing I had to make my own metal lathe using two cordless drills lol, it was a serious engineering feat that I honestly figured I’d butcher and end up selling parts but I’m quite happy with the results of my new tail boom arm

 

[Blue Shadow]

Introducing the upgraded ∞Infinity Tail Boom Black Widow Tonearm∞!!

 

[SteveHammond]

I know it doesn’t look like it at the bushing In the back of the tonearm but it’s straight and true all the way from the head shell to the counterweight shaft.