I've have seen a few on FM lately.
The Official Kenwood KD 500/550 and 600/650 Owner's Thread
Yes. Facebook Marketplace.
Ya, I see ads popping up there but usually just ignore them, I'll have to pay closer attention I guess.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
I was having speed issues with my 500 when I pulled it out of storage. Working the speed adjust knobs helped, but they were "iffy". That is, I'd turn up the speed and it would drop, or vice versa. And it would, out of the blue, change speeds wildly on its own.
The fix: I took off the bottom wood plate and sprayed de-oxit in the pots while working them back and forth. It completely fixed the problem.
The fix: I took off the bottom wood plate and sprayed de-oxit in the pots while working them back and forth. It completely fixed the problem.
Yep. Same issue. It had been sitting in previous owners closest for years.
Hello everyone. Recently I had inquired here about these intriguing turntables. Fast forward a bit, through some connections here, (thank you!) I now am the proud owner of one of the KD-550's! It arrived late last week & spent some time with it this weekend, & we are 'in service'! All I can say is this sounds absolutely incredible!! I had my Miracord 10H that I had got going, & was pleasantly surprised how it sounded. As one of the fellow members shared then, they noted this would be a big difference. It sure is!!! I like having 'the manuals & brochures' to things I have.... I was able to find one of each, & feel very fortunate all the way around on this!!
I'm running this through a Pioneer SA-9100 & my JBL L-100 Century speakers.. The combination, to me at least is pretty special... I also have the matching TX-9100 tuner. As some more long term project(s), I need to build/buy - something to get the equipment in something. It's on a nice cabinet presently, so that will be the starting point. The room(s) where I am is a WIP also. Definitely a 'small listening space' but I'm fortunate that I have a place.. Thanks for letting me 'join in' and for the information I've learned... JT
I'm running this through a Pioneer SA-9100 & my JBL L-100 Century speakers.. The combination, to me at least is pretty special... I also have the matching TX-9100 tuner. As some more long term project(s), I need to build/buy - something to get the equipment in something. It's on a nice cabinet presently, so that will be the starting point. The room(s) where I am is a WIP also. Definitely a 'small listening space' but I'm fortunate that I have a place.. Thanks for letting me 'join in' and for the information I've learned... JT
Attachments
beautiful table
Isaac C.
Cat Hoarder
Glad you like it!
Grace G707, you might also like it with a sweet Grace cartridge.
it's also nice with Grado wood bodies.
Isaac C.
Cat Hoarder
Definitely on my list! the biggest issue with the Syntec is the fact it so short, its very tricky to align and I still have a decent amount of distortion.
filmman697
New Member
filmman697
New Member
Excuse me as I am new to actually uploading and responding to posts.
I have this KD-550 and I notice that there is missing pieces for the anti-skate. Looking closer, I see that there is a broken screw that needs repair. I do not have the missing pieces. I believe that there is a pivot with a weight tied to the arm with small wire or thread.
So, my question is, what is the possibility of finding the missing pieces. If I can't, what arms will mount or will just about any arm be mountable to this table. I don't have much money and for the price I paid for this table, which was cheap, I'd like to keep it this way. If my option is to spend $500 on a new arm, I think it might be best to buy a used table with a decent arm and swap arms.
I am willing to read and consider opinions even if it doesn't fit my needs. Thanks in advance.
This is plugged into a BK Pro 10 preamp, Crown DC-300A series II amp, and Emilar speakers with the Emilar bowtie horn and 16" Altec LF driver.
I have this KD-550 and I notice that there is missing pieces for the anti-skate. Looking closer, I see that there is a broken screw that needs repair. I do not have the missing pieces. I believe that there is a pivot with a weight tied to the arm with small wire or thread.
So, my question is, what is the possibility of finding the missing pieces. If I can't, what arms will mount or will just about any arm be mountable to this table. I don't have much money and for the price I paid for this table, which was cheap, I'd like to keep it this way. If my option is to spend $500 on a new arm, I think it might be best to buy a used table with a decent arm and swap arms.
I am willing to read and consider opinions even if it doesn't fit my needs. Thanks in advance.
This is plugged into a BK Pro 10 preamp, Crown DC-300A series II amp, and Emilar speakers with the Emilar bowtie horn and 16" Altec LF driver.
cgutz
AK Member
Just about any decent arm will mount to the KD550. The KD500 was the same base without an arm.
You may have to manufacture a new mounting "board" with the properly spaced hole to get your replacement arm to align properly. You may also be correct that a decent arm on a used table might be an option. Sorry i don't have more specifics.
You may have to manufacture a new mounting "board" with the properly spaced hole to get your replacement arm to align properly. You may also be correct that a decent arm on a used table might be an option. Sorry i don't have more specifics.
Homebrook
Member
You have given me an idea! I've spent some years as a professional woodworker and have a stock of wenge. It's a magnificent very black and hard hardwood from central Africa with a distinctive stripey grain. As I look at the bottom board, I think I could build it out of wenge and it would look amazing. It would be a hidden secret, just visible at the edges.
filmman697
New Member
Your input is better than what's in my head. I was wondering about the mount. I can do it. It's all new to me. I'm usually inside of electronics, movie theater related equipment.
I will post on the LTB (?) for parts. I'm not confident about that.
I got this TT for cheap at a high end shop (no video gear in sight in this place) in Sacramento as it was an orphan when a guy upgraded. The shop doesn't take trade-ins but is willing to sell his customer's old gear for free as a favor.
I see now why it was upgraded. Plus, the stylus was twisted. Originally, I thought that was the reason. Nice owner (Deetes Sound Room) and nice shop. Too bad I'm 800 miles away these days.
Finally, the search is over!! My 500 is now complete. Just went and picked up a parts unit, minus a tonearm but with a dust cover intact and in great shape for $100! I bought this table a couple years ago with a Jelco arm mounted but it didn’t come with the cover. So glad to have finally found one. I love these tables. I’m getting ready to do a tonearm rewire and she’ll be back up and running....
I also have a KD-2055. It was my very first turntable I bought 8 years ago with a Marantz 2275 when I first got into vinyl and vintage audio gear. Now I am completely obsessed with the stuff. I currently own 6 turntables, 8 receivers, many sets of speakers and several other pieces of equipment. I owe all that I know about this stuff to this website. Thank you AK and keep rockin’!!!!
Jeremy
I also have a KD-2055. It was my very first turntable I bought 8 years ago with a Marantz 2275 when I first got into vinyl and vintage audio gear. Now I am completely obsessed with the stuff. I currently own 6 turntables, 8 receivers, many sets of speakers and several other pieces of equipment. I owe all that I know about this stuff to this website. Thank you AK and keep rockin’!!!!
Jeremy
