Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

"I didn't know kenwood made a good turntable".
The KD550 is a fine one, on par with the DP60L, perhaps.  I didn't mention the L07D, which is up there in the pantheon of the really great vintage direct-drives, like the SP10 Mk3, Pioneer Exclusive P3, etc, but those are way up in cost.  You can find a very nice L07D for between $3K and $4K.  The good news is that it is sold as a unit with a very advanced plinth, even by today's standards, and a very good tonearm, designed for and specially adapted to the L07D.

Kenwood made a whole series of components in the L07 series (amplifiers, preamplifier, tuner) that were very high end (and expensive) in their day, comparable to the Pioneer Exclusive line of gear.

audiolabyrinth,

The Kenwood KD-500 was more popular than the 550, at least around here.  It was sold minus an arm, allowing the owner to choose their own.  SME, Grace, and Infinity were popular choices at the time.

http://liquidaudio.com.au/kenwood-kd-500-kd-550-direct-drive-turntable/

In addition their 600 and 700 series were decent players as well.  As lewm mentioned, their L07D was/is one of the top tables so don't sell Kenwood short.

Hi lewm and pryso,  I'm new to the vintage turntable's,  speaking of kenwood,  I don't believe I would sell them short,  I  currently have a kenwood kr 9600 reciever in mint condition that embarrasses my friend's Rega osiris integrated amplifier that retail's for  $10,000.00 in my opinion,  in every imaginable audiophile way, I'm looking for the best possible vintage table for the kr 9600, mmm, this is excellent news kenwood made some exceptional table's,  to have you gentleman laugh, I've never listened to another vintage table better than my technics sl-1600mk2.

Most I can manage is a chortle.  Not laughing all the way.

audioL
 I'm looking for the best possible vintage table for the kr 9600.

If you want to stay with Kenwood then that's the
 L07D otherwise keep your eye open for another winner.