This Kenwood KD-550 Direct Drive Turntable is in great condition.  It currently has a Grado F3+ Cartridge.   Its available for audition at Olson’s HiFi 18904 highway 99 STE P Lynnwood WA 98036 Tuesday thru Saturday 11am To 6pm.    425.462.5227

Kenwood’s legendary KD-500 / KD-550 direct-drive turntables are classic decks from an era when things were built to last.

Indeed, if decks like the KD-500 / KD-550 with this level of custom engineering were built now, they would cost many thousands of dollars. The Technics SL-1200 is a classic example – it’s been reissued and costs literally thousands! This is just one reason I love these Kenwood decks.

The only difference between the KD-500 and 550 is in the tonearm. The KD-500 came without an arm from the factory, while the 550 was supplied with a Kenwood arm. The idea was that you would then fit your favourite Grace G-707, or perhaps an SME Series 2 or 3 to the KD-500.

Specifications, courtesy of Vinyl Engine

Drive: direct-drive system
Motor: 8-pole 24 slot brushless DC servo motor
Platter: 30cm, 1.5kg aluminium alloy die-cast
Speeds: 33.33 and 45rpm
Wow and flutter: less than 0.03% WRMS
Signal to noise ratio: more than 60dB
Tonearm: static balance type, s-shaped pipe arm
Effective length: 237mm
Overhang: 15mm
Tracking force range: 0 to 4g
Usable cartridge range: 5 to 12g
Dimensions: 502 x 382 x 162mm
Weight: 14.9kg