The KP-1100 / 9010 is next TT up the ladder from the KD / KP-990/7010. (all the slashes are because Kenwood changed the name midstream of both models and of course KD means it was sold in the US.)
You may also know KP-9010/1100 is Japanese market only, 100V and the KP-1100 is identical to the 9010 just a different model year.
Differences? The 990 also has the "spider" chassis (which is what makes these Kennys stand out), the same tonearm, the 9010 has a slightly heavier plinth, offers a "ring" around the platter, and for some reason is spec'd at 90Db S/N where the 990 is 80Db. Why the S/N difference at the technical level? I don't know. The 9010 sold for more retail, fetches much more on the used market, and most of the Japanese audiophiles / sales people I exchange with say go for the 9010. I really can't give you much more than that on this vs that..... I would also wonder how much you personally would hear audibly if blind-folded - I have never heard them side by side. They look very similar as you know - but again the S/N is rated higher on the 9010.
GT-2000L vs KP-9010? Again blindfolded
?..... bottom line the KP-9010 is a TT I like very much. It sounds very good with the AT-150MLX, AT-OC9ml/ii, AT-150Sa carts and a couple of others I threw at it. It is a very well engineered TT in the parts that matter - especially in the chassis and tonearm. As you know some run it naked, which is a testament to the chassis quality.
If I compared the two from the bullet criteria I provided for the GT-2000 above: for Aesthetics I would pick the GT-2000L, the Kenwood looks nice but the high gloss black piano finish although pleasing to some of course (beauty is in the eye of the beholder), looks a tad cheap-ish in this instance. The dustcover is definitely cheap - thin, scratches if you sneeze, the hinges are notoriously bad (just look how many for resale have busted up hinges, many - pay attention to that). One thing - note these also came in a rosewood finish too - much harder to find but much more appealing to my eye. YMMV.
Versatility - again the GT-2000L wins there - but for the range of cartridges the Kenwood plays it does them well. But I wouldn't mount a low compliance DL-102, 103 or SPU cartridge on the Kenwood.
Value add options / upgrades - again the 2000L wins there - not really sure of any upgrades to the Kenwood stock configuration like Yamaha offers tonearms, platters, YOP, etc
Power / torque - again 2000L - the Kenwood is no slouch for power but it's objective is finesse - which it achieves well. I wouldn't clean my LPs on a 9010, though I do it daily on the GT-2000 with little worry.
Build quality / durability - 2000L hands down. By a long shot. Durability - well that depends on the owner of course, lots of people have 9010's in great shape - if you take care of something it will last. BUT take a look at the used 9010 market - it is hard to find a good one where condition is solid on all parts. Many have beat up or damaged plinths (the gloss finish scratches and fades easy), damaged hinges (a notorious problem), also have cheap, thin and flimsy dust covers. A lot of that has to do with the way they are built. Build quality-wise - the 2000L is a tank and the Kenwood is more like a mid-priced sports car, with that spider chassis being its primary asset.
Sound Quality - they are both good. Like I mentioned the KP-9010 with a decent cartridge plays stunningly well.... I wonder how some would do on a blind A/B!!
In closing, this is a GT-2000 thread and of course many here are partial to the GT-2000
and in this case for the attributes of the TT I spelled out the GT-2000 is better, but in SQ lets just say the Kenwood series is a real sleeper and can sound very good. There is a reason for that 90 S/N rating and that spider chassis really works!
