Kenwood KD-35R (1980–1981)
The Kenwood KD-35R is a belt-driven, manual turntable produced during a brief two-year window around 1980-1981. It's a straightforward, well-specified deck from Kenwood's early-eighties lineup. It didn't make headlines. What's documented is a clean, consistent set of specifications that multiple enthusiast databases agree on.
A DC servo motor drives a 303 mm aluminum die-cast platter weighing 1.0 kg. Wow and flutter is rated at 0.025% WRMS, with rumble at -70 dB (IEC-B). The tonearm is a static-balanced S-shaped design with a detachable headshell, 225 mm effective length, 15 mm overhang, and stylus pressure adjustable from 0 to 3 g. It accepts cartridges weighing 4 to 10 g. The table measures 432 × 143 × 364 mm and weighs 6.0 kg. Power supply is switchable for 110-120 V, 220-230 V, or 240 V, and consumption is 3 W.
HiFI-Stereo (February 1987, p.119) included the KD-35R in a turntable roundup, noting its belt drive and listing the same core specs — wow and flutter of 0.045% WRMS and rumble of −65 dB in that particular listing, figures that differ slightly from the 0.025% and −70 dB found in the spec databases. The review also mentioned an optional 45 rpm adapter and a solid hardwood base, suggesting the deck shipped with a decent-quality plinth.
Beyond that, the record is thin. No original retail price has surfaced. There's no documentation on what cartridge (if any) was included, the specific tonearm bearing design, the anti-skate mechanism, or suspension details. No owner reviews or collectibility data have been found either.
- Belt drive, DC servo motor
- 33⅓ and 45 rpm
- Wow & flutter: 0.025% WRMS
- Rumble: −70 dB (IEC-B)
- 303 mm aluminium die-cast platter, 1.0 kg
- S-shaped static balance tonearm, detachable headshell
- Effective arm length: 225 mm; overhang: 15 mm
- Stylus pressure: 0–3 g; cartridge weight: 4–10 g
- 432 × 143 × 364 mm; 6.0 kg
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