The Official Kenwood KD 500/550 and 600/650 Owner's Thread

[Grenadeslio]

Nah just letting folks know that round holes in the center ain't the answer.

You misunderstood my post. I was referring to cutting a round hole, the center cutout "would be the arm board", never discussed the arm cutout In the new armboard.

If attempting to make nice round armboards use a router to cut out a piece of wood, in other words, cut a hole, the center that it cuts out will make a nice round arm board.

You can also use this method to make any shape arm board you need. Can also put sanding discs in a router to finish the edge if desired, routers are very versatile tools.

I've even used one to make speaker cutouts, then radius the edge of the hole with the driver rear mounted. If building speaker cabinets etc in your garage without all the stuff you would like in a wood working shop a router is a must.

 

[Isaac C.]

Dremel makes a circle cutter attachment for about $15 that threads onto most Dremel tools and you can adjust the radius of it. It also has a straight edge feature so you can cut straight lines. I probably should have got that, but didn't want to spend more $$ at the moment.

 

[Isaac C.]

Update: I'm going to have to rewire the Syntec even though it is NOS. It has some serious static/ground issues, it is definitely the arm, I've isolated the problem to just the tonearm. So the Kenwood is once again on hold untill I get that sorted out. When I first started listening it was rather noticeable and bugged me really badly.

Anyone rewired a tonearm for the Kenwood? If so any wire suggestions? I'll likely get the Cardas litz as it will probably be the easiest to work with since it's twisted, that is it should be easier to run it through the post, tube, etc.

 

[Blowby]

Picked up a KD-550 about a year ago. Using the original tonearm and a few different cartridges.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Picked up a KD-550 about a year ago. Using the original tonearm and a few different cartridges.

Beautiful table.
Is that a ruby cantilever on that Grado woody?

 

[Blowby]

Soundsmith Line Contact and Ruby re-tip. It’s been a Bear to dial in. Getting close, I have a Dr. Feickert Next Gen protractor on the way. I think my pivot is out of position since there is room to assemble to the extreme tolerance in or out. Just want to start at 222mm then finish alignment.

My other Denon DL-80a, AT-Pro14s and a few other old style carts sound great. Looking for another tonearm just to take it to the next level.

 

[Grenadeslio]

Soundsmith Line Contact and Ruby re-tip. It’s been a Bear to dial in. Getting close, I have a Dr. Feickert Next Gen protractor on the way. I think my pivot is out of position since there is room to assemble to the extreme tolerance in or out. Just want to start at 222mm then finish alignment.

My other Denon DL-80a, AT-Pro14s and a few other old style carts sound great. Looking for another tonearm just to take it to the next level.

Had a Grado Platinum on my Grace G707 arm and they worked great together. The Grace carts even better though, currently running two different models on mine.

 

[Blowby]

Had a Grado Platinum on my Grace G707 arm and they worked great together. The Grace carts even better though, currently running two different models on mine.

I’m using a Reference Sonata modded by Peter. My next step will be an arm upgrade like all the posts above. Hard to find a decent tonearm at a reasonable price, believe me I’ve been looking. I think this will improve on my existing carts and hold me over...lol.

Once that’s accomplished I’ll feel I can justify for a more expensive cartridge.

 

[Skip Shot]

Damn nice rocks y'all...

Do so miss my 550!

 

[percivilla]

I’m using a Reference Sonata modded by Peter. My next step will be an arm upgrade like all the posts above. Hard to find a decent tonearm at a reasonable price, believe me I’ve been looking. I think this will improve on my existing carts and hold me over...lol.

Once that’s accomplished I’ll feel I can justify for a more expensive cartridge.

Can I call dibs if you find a new arm and plan on getting rid of the Kenwood one?

 

[34dean]

Here is my new to me 550. Finally set up properly with the help of a few great members here it has a ADC 30 cartridge on it now but I’m upgrading this week.
Beautiful piece of kit.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Here is my new to me 550. Finally set up properly with the help of a few great members here it has a ADC 30 cartridge on it now but I’m upgrading this week.
Beautiful piece of kit.

Sooper clean looking unit. Congrats.

 

[Isaac C.]

I placed an order with Kevin at KAB, hopefully I'll have the Syntec rewired by next week and thus have the Kenwood playing again.

 

[Montycat]

My 650 with stock arm and a DL103R on it.

 

[Isaac C.]

Looks sharp!

 

[Mrv8q]

Pulled my 500 with an IBW and an Ortofon OM20 a couple years ago to test phono on a piece of gear, and took a couple of pics. Went back to the camera to find the stills and could not find them. Went all the way to the beginning of the CF, and it was 2010 when I took the shots... Time, indeed passes quickly!

I have had this deck since 1980, and put it away in 1995. Couldn’t bear to part with it, or my collection of LPs.
Fun to read about the variety of arms on these Kenwood TTs.

 

[MRL_Audio]

My 650 with stock arm and a DL103R on it.

View attachment 1822296

That 650 is the only thing that I would use to replace the 500/550. Just love the look. Very nice.

 

[Isaac C.]

What should be my next upgrade after fixing the tonearm?

A Herbie's way excellent mat
MNPCTECH feet
Tonearm lift
Or new stylus

 

[ctjetta]

What should be my next upgrade after fixing the tonearm?

A Herbie's way excellent mat
MNPCTECH feet
Tonearm lift
Or new stylus

Yes!

 

[Grenadeslio]

What should be my next upgrade after fixing the tonearm?

A Herbie's way excellent mat
MNPCTECH feet
Tonearm lift
Or new stylus

Could try these under the stock feet, I have several sets currently in use.