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The Kenwood KD-550 is a 2-speed, direct drive turntable featuring a stroboscope with lamp, fine speed adjusting control, anti-skating device, oil damped arm elevation,direct readout stylus pressure, height adjustment and free stop action dust cover.SpecificatioDrive: direct-drive systemMotor: 8-pole 24 slot brushless DC servo motorPlatter: 30cm, 1.5kg aluminium alloy die-castSpeeds: 33.33 and 45rpmWow and flutter: less than 0.03% WRMSSignal to noise ratio: more than 60dBTonearm: static-balance type, s-shaped pipe arm, eia plug-in connectorEffective length: 237mmOverhang: 15mmStylus pressure range: 0 to 4gUsable cartridge range: 5 to 12gDimensions: 502 x 382 x 162mmWeight: 15.5kgLocal pick up / inspection / purchase available at Archer High Fidelity in Falls Church, VA. We are a vintage sales and service specialist covering the Washington DC metro area.All major credit cards accepted, as well as PayPal, check on clearing, and Venmo.Any other questions, please feel free to ask.
This is a buyer’s market for the Kenwood KD-550 at US$750. It sits well below the recent used median of US$1,050 and under the US$900 25th percentile, so this reads as a strong deal rather than a merely fair one.
The KD-550 is a respected heavyweight direct-drive deck with excellent speed stability, a solid plinth, and the kind of understated, no-nonsense engineering that still wins over vinyl people. At this price, the upside is real even with condition unknown, but a buyer should still confirm arm bearings, platter/motor behavior, feet, dust cover, and whether any original hardware or a service history is included; if it’s clean and complete, this is a very good buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Kenwood traces its origins to December 21, 1946, when it was founded as Kasuga Radio Co. Ltd. in Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, by a group of entrepreneurs led by William "Bill" Kasuga. Emerging in the postwar era, the company initially produced electronic components and amateur radio gear, renaming to Trio Corporation in 1960 before adopting the Kenwood name in 1986 to appeal to Western markets—blending "Ken," a familiar name across Japan and America, with "Wood" evoking durability and Hollywood. This rebranding fueled rapid international growth, starting with a U.S. office in Los Angeles County in 1963.
The brand built its legacy on high-quality audio and communications equipment, excelling in home hi-fi amplifiers like the acclaimed 1970 Supreme 1 multichannel model, receivers, tuners, and speakers with innovations such as polypropylene cones. Kenwood also pioneered car audio systems, including the first audio/video amplifier for home theater in 1981 and anti-theft cassette decks, alongside professional two-way radios and amateur transceivers. While maintaining roots in consumer electronics, it expanded into automotive infotainment.
Today, as part of JVCKENWOOD since the 2008 merger with JVC, Kenwood holds a solid mid-tier position in car audio and professional communications, prized by enthusiasts for reliable performance and aftermarket upgrades. Its vintage home hi-fi gear from the 1970s and 1980s commands respect among collectors for robust build and warm sound, though it no longer dominates pure hi-fi markets.
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