Another Turntable

[Ammonite Audio]

I've bought another turntable - a Kenwood KD-990 DD deck - the one with the skeletal cast alloy chassis. I must be mad trying to compete with Adam (Beobloke) for surplus record players, but I couldn't resist this one! I already have a KD-770D, which is an unexpectedly lyrical performer, and expect this one to have 'more of everything'.

So, who's got a KD-990 and can offer advice on what to do (and not to do) with it? I'm thinking a quick check over, re-wire the arm, and that's about it.

[The Barbarian]

Id love a Trio/Kenwood '400M' Motor unit

[walpurgis]

I've got one of these knocking about.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2il2fba.jpg

Recognise it?

(it's been on here before)

[The Barbarian]

'PL-61'

[walpurgis]

Yup! :)

[struth]

I've got one of these knocking about.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2il2fba.jpg

Recognise it?

(it's been on here before)

Nice....a bit of tlc to the plinth and I would be a cracker. Like those

[Ammonite Audio]

Enough Pioneer stuff thanks (I have a PL-71 in my collection too)!

What about the KD-990? Anyone here got any top tips for fettling it?

[walpurgis]

Nice....a bit of tlc to the plinth and I would be a cracker. Like those

The plinth is OK Grant. The discolouration is my hard earned dust. ;)

[walpurgis]

Enough Pioneer stuff thanks (I have a PL-71 in my collection too)!

What about the KD-990? Anyone here got any top tips for fettling it?

Why not show us a picture. Is it basically OK, or does it need renovating?

[Ammonite Audio]

Can't show a picture since I have not yet collected it, but here's a stock image of one without its clothes.

http://imageshack.com/i/7ekd990nudeplayingj

It does appear to be in good cosmetic condition, so my request for experiences relates to the deck's innards and tonearm. I have the service manual already.

Some people think that the KD-990 is second only to the L-07D. I think that Neal (NRG) may have one, so maybe he'll be along with some sage advice.

[NRG]

Tadaaaa! :D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/KD-990/KD-9901.jpg

Good choice Hugo! We have similar turntable collections, PL-71, KD-550 and now the 990! If you have an SP-10 as well then you have impeccable taste Sir! LOL!

Advice.....hmmm, these tables are rated for 220v, I use a bucking transformer to lower the voltage, think its an 24v one....my mains can hit 253v or more so taking a few volts off helps me sleep at night.

Replace the stock feet, I use Wood Oak cones and think it helps the decks detail retrieval...the standard headshell (well mine) has no azimuth adjustment and I found it was out by a fair margin, get one that you can adjust.

I've not rewired my arm it sounds OK to me, the arm is adjustable for height and like any deck it's a key setting.

The bearing is a grease filled one, make sure there's fresh grease in there, if not I think Castrol graphite grease can be used.

[The Barbarian]

Pioneer 'PLC-590' was a good deck Geoff

[walpurgis]

Pioneer 'PLC-590' was a good deck Geoff

Great looking bit of kit. Never got my hands on one though.

(sorry to keep nicking bits of your thread Hugo. :))

[Ammonite Audio]

Thanks Neal

The grease in my KD-770D bearing is some grey stuff, perhaps moly grease? Did you re-grease your bearing, or just check it and leave it? Good point about the voltage - when my PS Audio P5 Power Plant eventually comes back after repair (:steam:) it will be set at around 230v, which should be OK for the KD-990; if not I might be asking your advice regarding a bucking transformer. I have the KD-770D running off an external DC supply, but I won't be undertaking such significant surgery on the KD-990. The arm could well benefit from a re-wire, which should not be too difficult, but I shall replace the external signal cables with Van Damme Pro-Patch (which I've already ordered).

The KD-770D benefits from Stillpoints feet, so they will be transferred to the KD-990.

Have you run your KD-990 naked, out of curiosity?

Cheers

Hugo



Tadaaaa! :D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l82/_NRG_/other/KD-990/KD-9901.jpg

Good choice Hugo! We have similar turntable collections, PL-71, KD-550 and now the 990! If you have an SP-10 as well then you have impeccable taste Sir! LOL!

Advice.....hmmm, these tables are rated for 220v, I use a bucking transformer to lower the voltage, think its an 24v one....my mains can hit 253v or more so taking a few volts off helps me sleep at night.

Replace the stock feet, I use Wood Oak cones and think it helps the decks detail retrieval...the standard headshell (well mine) has no azimuth adjustment and I found it was out by a fair margin, get one that you can adjust.

I've not rewired my arm it sounds OK to me, the arm is adjustable for height and like any deck it's a key setting.

The bearing is a grease filled one, make sure there's fresh grease in there, if not I think Castrol graphite grease can be used.

[Ammonite Audio]

The KD-990 seems to be identical to the KP-1100/KP-9010. There's a lovely photo of the cast alloy chassis over at The Vintage Knob http://www.thevintageknob.org/kenwood-KP-1100.html

I'm really looking forward to getting this thing!

[NRG]

I think you'll love it Hugo. Yes I used castrol Molly grease for mine no issues with it. I've not run in 'naked' can't be bothered TBH! It sounds fine as it is....

[Ammonite Audio]

The KD-990 is now in my possession. Everything works, and it's quite tidy (just a bit of polishing required on the lid). It's on a soak test at the moment, so once I've finished the client report that I should be working on, I'll pop the IQ3 on it and have a listen.

Incidentally, the KD-990's headshell collet is a much better quality thing than Jelco use nowadays - it really does hold the headshell securely.