I got a gift... broken Kenwood KD-2055! Need some help!
Hello folks,
Since I parted with my old turntable (will be sent for repairs for a year or so...) I have received a gift from my friends storage (someone also gave it to him) a Kenwood KD-2055 "The Rock"!
The TT condition is awful but I did see a lot of potential in it...
First what is broken:
- power cable is cut,
- RCA's are missing and just the ground wire is there,
- stylus is broken,
- belt is dissolved and part of the belt is fused into platter,
- very, very dusty and dirty.
- "the rock" plinth has slightly yellow discoloration (I guess it comes from someone who was a heavy smoker)
- two feet/legs are missing (some kind of sorbothane or rubber suspension legs)
I think that is all... since I am very curious about technical things I decided to attempt to fix it.
This is the first steps that I took... I quickly connected wires to other power cable that I had and the motor spins!
Cleaned the fused belt parts from the platter and removed the belt from my temporary turntable Micro Seiki MB-12 as I took wild guess that they are similar size from what I can see (just visual observation) and installed the belt. It works! Installed RPM app on my cell phone and took the measurement and it is steady at 33.5 (took about 6-7 measurements).
Soldered temporary some old RCA that they missing covers and connected to my audio setup. Took some old record that I do not need (remember stylus is broken) and let it play. I got some sounds out of it. Checked other functions like tonearm functionality and it looks like all is working. Fixed the returning of the arm after some tinkering how it is working.
So far so good... I just need to order the replacement stylus for Kenwood V41a cartridge. I found that this (V41a) is rebadged Audio Technica AT-11e. Found one at LP GEAR for 29.98$. This will be temporary fix while fixing the TT.
Now I need some help here.
1. At some point (maybe in September) I will replace the cartridge with new headshell and wondering which of those cartridges will fit the best.
Ortofon 2m Red
Grado Prestige Black2
Grado Prestige Green2
Nagaoka MP-110
Currently my favorite is Nagaoka that I have also found at LP GEAR (linked)
2. I have plenty of power cables from old computers and will cut one and solder straight into TT where old wires are soldered but where to connect the ground or to leave it alone, without. If I connect the ground somewhere where probably all ground wires are connected will this cause any interference like hum, buzz or simmilar?
3. Have found some RCA with ground wire from my old car stereo installation, I think, with ground wire. This will replace the cutted cables with Kenwood logo on it (too bad as like to keep all authentic). I think that those cables are well insulated from any type of interference while car causing plenty of hums and buzzes Will this work?
4. When I get the new headshell with the cartridge how do I have to align it and what tools I have to use? I read somewhere that the diamond tip has to be exact 50.2mm from the rubber grommet.
5. What is Daphne Oil?
6. What grease I have to use to lubricate the plastic gears inside (wild guess here, white lithium or silicone grease?)
7. What type of feet/legs I can install, like spikes (I like spikes)?
I think this is all I have for now and if I remember something I will ask later.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
Hello folks,
Since I parted with my old turntable (will be sent for repairs for a year or so...) I have received a gift from my friends storage (someone also gave it to him) a Kenwood KD-2055 "The Rock"!
The TT condition is awful but I did see a lot of potential in it...
First what is broken:
- power cable is cut,
- RCA's are missing and just the ground wire is there,
- stylus is broken,
- belt is dissolved and part of the belt is fused into platter,
- very, very dusty and dirty.
- "the rock" plinth has slightly yellow discoloration (I guess it comes from someone who was a heavy smoker)
- two feet/legs are missing (some kind of sorbothane or rubber suspension legs)
I think that is all... since I am very curious about technical things I decided to attempt to fix it.
This is the first steps that I took... I quickly connected wires to other power cable that I had and the motor spins!
Cleaned the fused belt parts from the platter and removed the belt from my temporary turntable Micro Seiki MB-12 as I took wild guess that they are similar size from what I can see (just visual observation) and installed the belt. It works! Installed RPM app on my cell phone and took the measurement and it is steady at 33.5 (took about 6-7 measurements).
Soldered temporary some old RCA that they missing covers and connected to my audio setup. Took some old record that I do not need (remember stylus is broken) and let it play. I got some sounds out of it. Checked other functions like tonearm functionality and it looks like all is working. Fixed the returning of the arm after some tinkering how it is working.
So far so good... I just need to order the replacement stylus for Kenwood V41a cartridge. I found that this (V41a) is rebadged Audio Technica AT-11e. Found one at LP GEAR for 29.98$. This will be temporary fix while fixing the TT.
Now I need some help here.
1. At some point (maybe in September) I will replace the cartridge with new headshell and wondering which of those cartridges will fit the best.
Ortofon 2m Red
Grado Prestige Black2
Grado Prestige Green2
Nagaoka MP-110
Currently my favorite is Nagaoka that I have also found at LP GEAR (linked)
2. I have plenty of power cables from old computers and will cut one and solder straight into TT where old wires are soldered but where to connect the ground or to leave it alone, without. If I connect the ground somewhere where probably all ground wires are connected will this cause any interference like hum, buzz or simmilar?
3. Have found some RCA with ground wire from my old car stereo installation, I think, with ground wire. This will replace the cutted cables with Kenwood logo on it (too bad as like to keep all authentic). I think that those cables are well insulated from any type of interference while car causing plenty of hums and buzzes Will this work?
4. When I get the new headshell with the cartridge how do I have to align it and what tools I have to use? I read somewhere that the diamond tip has to be exact 50.2mm from the rubber grommet.
5. What is Daphne Oil?
6. What grease I have to use to lubricate the plastic gears inside (wild guess here, white lithium or silicone grease?)
7. What type of feet/legs I can install, like spikes (I like spikes)?
I think this is all I have for now and if I remember something I will ask later.
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks!
