Kenwood KP-4021

[Phoca]

Recently purchased a Kenwood KP-4021 based on things I'd read about the KP-5021. These are both idler/belt drive TTs akin to the Thorens TD-124 (which have a belt-driven idler for better noise isolation).

This thing is VERY quiet, much more so than anything I've owned (10 or so belt-drives, a few Dual idlers, a Miracord idler, etc etc.). It's showing a ton of promise, but the speed selector needs some adjustment and I'd like to do a basic servicing but can't find a manual online. Anyone have one or know where to find one?

I will post photos and instructions for things I figure out if I can't find a manual to add to the library.

Thanks,
Carl

[Phoca]

Will try to post what I got from this in the library when I get around to compiling it.

[Phoca]

OK, here are some photos of this turntable which I picked up for a song on Ebay. First the deck as the user sees it. It's a nice looking deck.



Then the tonearm. Note the "inside force canceller (anti-skate device) to the right, and the "lateral balancer" to the left.



Next, the drive mechanism, ala Thorens TD-124 and Garrard 301. That's a belt driven idler! Motor to the right, idler pulley to the left along with the idler wheel. The orientation is with the front of the TT to the left in this photo. Pulley has two positions, 33 1/3 and 45 RPM settings, adjusted with a switch on the deck. Second photo shows the drive mechanism with the motor to the top.





Finally, under the platter, there's instructions on the simple switch from 60Hz to 50Hz. Simply change the position of the belt on the motor and pulley. It's a simple design that makes the deck functional for most power supplies.



The only drawback that I see so far is the fairly light platter. On the KP-5021, the platter and drive mechanism are better. But both decks are hard to find. In any case, so far this TT is the quietest I've owned by a MILE!!! Still looking to find a cartridge that works with the tonearm. The Grado Prestige Black I fit first as a test wouldn't balance, even with the counterweight screwed forward as far as it would go.



An old Shure M80E with it's mounting shell allows it to balance but I don't yet have a good needle for it.

I'm excited to find a cartridge that'll work and get it running. Will report back. Also, have a simplistic manual Ill try to upload soon.

[Angler]

Jeepers! I know this is an old thread but I can't resist asking anyway. Have you ever found a user manual for this turntable?
Thanks,
Al

[Phoca]

Nope. I have a few items, like a "service" manual, but it's 4 pages or so of some basic setup info. I can try to dig it up and post it if it's of interest to you. I'll try later to post some links to a tiny bit more info.

[Alec124c41]

A heavier headshell would allow you to balance a lighter cartridge. The Sumiko/Jelco HS-20 is about 16 grams.
However, I think a Grado would be happier on a lighter arm.
A Denon DL-110 would be a good match.

Wait a minute ... there is a line around the back of the counterweight. Could this mean that there is an extra weight that would come off, allowing you to use lighter cartridges?

Cheers,
Alec

[Phoca]

A heavier headshell would allow you to balance a lighter cartridge. The Sumiko/Jelco HS-20 is about 16 grams.
However, I think a Grado would be happier on a lighter arm.
A Denon DL-110 would be a good match.

Wait a minute ... there is a line around the back of the counterweight. Could this mean that there is an extra weight that would come off, allowing you to use lighter cartridges?

Cheers,
Alec

Thanks Alec. I did find a headshell that let me balance the arm with a lighter cartridge (like this: http://www.lpgear.com/product/STANTONH4S.html). Not too sure about overhang and alignment issues due to the different head but I was able to align it to a protractor. I'm not keen on the Grado for this turntable but hope to mount another soon. I've had my eye on the Denon DL-110 having read very good things about it, so with your wise input, I'll probably do that soon and report back. BTW, factory mounted cartridge had a compliance of 7, DL-110 is 8. As for the line around the counterweight, good eye and nice thought. I hadn't considered that. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to come apart.

Since the manual I have will require some scanning, it'll have to wait as my week has gone to he**.

Carl

[Phoca]

OK, at long last I was able to upload the "service" manual for this deck. It's here: http://www.vinylengine.com/ve_downloads/index.php?kenwood/kenwood_kp-4021_service.pdf

The link says partial, but it's the complete manual as I got it (this is a scan of a paper manual I found). It's partial in that it ain't exactly what I would call a service manual. Hope it's of use to angler and otrhers.

[Phoca]

Here is the unusual cartridge that came with this turntable. Odd pivoting carrier that then screws onto the headshell, so that there are two places to deal with alignment. The carrier can move in the headshell, and the cartridge slides forward and back in the carrier. The top of the carrier appears to be non-ferrous, non-magnetic, but the bottom piece that pinch-fits the cartridge IS magnetic. Also, the pivoting nature of the carrier seems like it'd make for killer needle drops...as in kill the records! All-in-all seems like a questionable cartridge arrangement.

[Phoca]

Was able to fit an AT440MLa into the headshell (with 3 - count 'em, 3 - pennies to shim for VTA and add weight for balancing. All in all it sounds quite nice, though I've had problems getting alignment to work properly. I can align at one null point but not both, no matter where I position the cartridge, with or without twist. Still, sibilants are mostly fine and the sound balance seems good.

[stevestwo]

I have a Kenwood KP-4021 also. I do enjoy the quietness with the platter drive. I just switched it out for a Marantz 6200 for now. I was looking at the headshell today and noticed that it was quite heavy. I looked closer at it and now remember that it came with a weight that fits under the cartridge between the headshell. I think that is why you are having a problem with the adjustment of the balance. The previous post looks to have a similar weight in his photo. Just thought I'd let you know.

[Phoca]

Thanks, steves. I ended up drilling a penny as a weight between the headshell and cartridge. Works fine. Nice to hear from another KP-4021 user.

[tom6to1]

There is another post on a similar Kenwood table that describes the counter weight as including a "sub-weight". I think Alec may be right though from the instructions I can see it is not clear if you can remove the sub-weight or just adjust separately. Please see page 3 of thread titled Trio Kenwood PC-400 for photos of the PC-350 manual:

http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=55909

Best of luck.