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Up for sale is a rare, space-age Kenwood P-9 Vertical Linear-Tracking Turntable from the early 1980s. This unique, upright stand-up record player is a beautiful centerpiece for any vintage audio setup and an absolute conversation piece. Unlike most vintage vertical turntables found today, this unit is fully operational. Features & Functionality: - Motorized Door: Opens and closes smoothly. The drive belt mechanism is completely intact and working flawlessly. - Linear Tracking: The tonearm tracks perfectly straight across the record groove as intended, delivering clean, skip-free audio playback. - Speed Selection: Fully tested on both 33 and 45 RPM records.-Cosmetics: Very clean vintage condition with minimal wear on the casing and faceplate (please review the photos for exact cosmetic details).
Fully functional is the right starting point, but at US$450 this sits well above the typical used market for this category: the median is US$120, with the 75th percentile at US$211. That makes this an ambitious ask, not a casual pickup, and the seller needs to be offering something unusually strong to justify it.
What keeps it interesting is the P-9’s appeal as a vertical linear-tracking design: it’s a niche, conversation-piece turntable with genuine collector cachet and a very specific following. For a buyer, the value hinges on proof that the arm, platter motion, cueing, and servo behavior are all stable, plus whether any original accessories or packaging are included; without that, the premium looks hard to defend.
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.
See all Kenwood listings on RADAR.
