Kenwood KD 500

Here’s a fine example from Kenwood — the KD-500, a legendary turntable from the golden age of hi-fi, when components were built to last a lifetime. The KD-500 (and its sibling, the KD-550) has become a classic, revered for both its engineering and aesthetic appeal.

One of the most striking features of the KD-500 is its ARCB (Anti-Resonance Compression Base) plinth — a dense composite material that mimics the look of marble while providing outstanding vibration damping and resonance control. This not only gives the turntable a luxurious, stone-like appearance, but also contributes significantly to its sonic performance. The result is a quiet, stable playback platform that brings out the best in any cartridge.

Functionally, the KD-500 and KD-550 are identical. The only difference is the tonearm: the KD-500 was sold without one, allowing audiophiles to mount the tonearm of their choice, while the KD-550 came factory-equipped with Kenwood’s own tonearm. This made the KD-500 a favorite among enthusiasts who wanted to fine-tune their analog setups.

This particular example is a KD-500 fitted with the superb Micro Seiki MA-303 tonearm — a high-end Japanese arm known for its precision, build quality, and smooth tracking. It’s paired with the Shure M95ED cartridge, a classic moving magnet model that delivers warm, detailed, and dynamic sound.

The performance is truly impressive: tight bass, rich mids, and sparkling highs, with an open and natural presentation that rivals modern high-end decks. It’s a beautiful-sounding system with a timeless design and rock-solid build.

If turntables like this were made today with the same materials and craftsmanship, they would easily cost several thousand euros — a testament to the quality and attention to detail found in this iconic model.

Simply put: it sounds fantastic, and it looks just as good.