Kenwood KD-550

Data

General

• Manufacturer: Kenwood
• Model: KD-550
• Year of manufacture: 1976 - 1978
• Made in: Japan
• Color: ACRB frame (anti-resonance compression base) White / Gray
• Power consumption: 9 W
• Dimensions: 502 x 162 x 382 mm
• Weight: 15.5 kg
• Original price approx.: 900 DM (April 1977 paid)

Connections

• Outputs: 1 x Cinch

Technical data

• Drive: direct drive
• Motor: servo-controlled contactless DC motor
• Speed: 33/45 rpm
• Synchronisation fluctuations: < 0,03% * Rumble noise level: -70 dB
• Rumble noise ratio: -70 dB
• Turntable: cast aluminium 1,5kg
• Operating mode:
• Pitch: +-8%
• Tonearm: static and laterally balanced S-shaped light alloy tube tonearm
• Cartridge: Denon DI-110 (standard in Germany was the system Kenwood V 46), permissible cartridge weight 5.0 - 12.0 grams

Special Features First record player made of a mixture of plastic, rock and glass fibre pressed under high pressure and temperature to eliminate resonances completely. According to the original instruction manual, the resonance-free frame is made of "special material, formed under high pressure. The material consists of a homogeneous combination of mineral (stone powder, glass fibres) and chemical components (calcium carbide, unsaturated polyester resins)." Which also explains the relatively high weight of 15.5kg.

Other

• Very durable unit, my KD 550 has been running since April 1977, sometimes excessively.

Remarks

• Other models in the same series:
• Kenwood KD-500
• Kenwood KD-550
• Kenwood KD-750
• Kenwood KD-1033
• Kenwood KD-2055
• Kenwood KD-3055

Pictures

• Image: Kenwood KD-550

• Excerpt from brochure: Kenwood KD-550