Kenwood kd-5077 (1978)

Name: Kenwood kd-5077
Brand: Kenwood

High-quality automatic direct drive turntable released in 1978 with precision motor and S-shaped tonearm.

Overview

The Kenwood KD-5077 is a 2-speed fully automatic turntable released in 1978. It shares nearly identical performance and design with the KD-5070 but features a wooden plinth with simulated wood grain finish instead of the KD-5070’s compression-molded anti-resonance base. The turntable delivers excellent performance, with reliable operation and good styling. It was priced between $260 and $285 when new.

Specifications

Speeds	33 and 45 rpm
Drive type	Direct drive
Rumble	-73 dB
Wow and flutter	0.025%
Motor type	20-pole, 30-slot brushless DC motor
Motor starting torque	900 grams
Tonearm type	S-shaped tonearm
Tonearm drive	Dedicated 12-pole synchronous motor for tonearm mechanism
Cueing device	Viscous-damped cueing device using specialized silicone oil
Pitch control	Independent pitch controls for each speed
Strobe	Strobe mirror with illuminated platter markings
Dust cover	Sturdy acrylic dust cover with strengthening ribs
Phono cables	Low capacitance phono cables
Tracking force (with Kenwood DM-11 cartridge)	2.0±0.3g

Design

The KD-5077 features a wooden plinth with a simulated wood grain finish and an internal weight block. The base combines three materials: resin-concrete, acoustic particle board, and rubber. The center motor shaft is hardened steel encased in brass with a tempered copper ball bearing. The S-shaped tonearm has a wide base, a rigid aluminum alloy headshell, and a counterweight isolated by rubber. Anti-skating is adjustable, and tracking force uses a direct-readout method. A safety device stops automatic operation if the tonearm is touched during movement. The cueing lever includes height adjustment, and two small rubber covers near the tonearm provide access to adjustment points—one for setting tonearm excursion before auto return. A function knob selects between manual and numbered automatic modes (15, 25, 30 seconds).

Market

Replacement styli for the KD-5077 are available, priced from $24.40 to $47.82. Some units exhibit issues with the auto return function, where the tonearm scrapes lightly across the record surface during return due to incorrect positioning. The cueing mechanism may fail to lift the tonearm properly; adjustment involves setting the cueing lever down, loosening set screw A, and aligning the stylus 6–8 mm above the record surface before tightening.