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Kenwood KP-990, anyone familiar with this model?

Before I get to my advice seeking questions I would like to tell you how I came across this beautiful looking table.Recently I answered a for sale ad of an LP collection.
Along with the LPs were an assortment of audio components one of which is this Kenwood model KP990 direct drive turntable. I purchased the lot which made me happy including the poor fellows widow

The table is in spotless condition and seams to work flawlessly except for a bend cantilever on the cartridge.
From what I gather looking over the web the designation KP points to the Japan market and the KD is North American, though I maybe misinformed

My question should I update the capacitors primarily which ones including anything else need taking care of?

Future plans are to rearm and replinth this table.

Thank you in advance for your advice

David
dbcooper
ebm
9,311 posts
 
NOT VERY GOOD get TW TABLE if you really want to hear LP.
jaspert
157 posts
 
08-05-10: Ebm wrote
NOT VERY GOOD get TW TABLE if you really want to hear LP.

What a lot of bollocks! You can enjoy vinyl via various means other than TW ok. You are so one eyed it's not funny anymore :)

Now back to the topic, I don't have direct experience of the said Kenwood but if you haven't downloaded this, here's the vinyl engine instruciton/service manual.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/kenwood/kd-990.shtml

Time for a new cartridge and check out the giant MM thread here. The bearing could use with a clean and some fresh oil( if you can access it) if the table has been sitting idle for a long time. As for recap, some here advocate this for decades old DD for peace of mind while others don't. I had my SP10mk2 PS recapped for the former reason. If you do replinth it later, the choice of arm will be plenty otherwise you are quite restricted in your arm choice. Enjoy the new find.
les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
Looks like a very competent vintage unit. Remember back then the Made in Japan Inc. turntables especially the higher up models were designed and built to the best of their industrial abilities. That tone arm of itself if used properly after all these years may be as good as an arm as you may think you need. The drive system is likely rock solid and if its not it would reveal itself upon playback. So changing caps may or may not be needed.

My advice is to clean it up, verify the cartridge adjustments and fire it up. It may very well blow you away. From there you can decide if you wish to make rebuilding changes.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Jasbert is right ENJOY.
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