L-07D

About the L-07D

The Kenwood L-07D is a legendary direct-drive turntable designed and manufactured in Japan between 1979 and 1982. It features a highly sophisticated quartz-lock, speed-phase double servo control system with a coreless and slotless DC servo motor to maintain precise motor speed. The turntable has a massive 33cm diameter die-cast aluminum platter reinforced with a 4mm thick duralumin layer and topped with a 5mm thick vibration-proof stainless steel sheet to prevent ringing and magnetic interference. The tonearm is a static-balance J-shaped pipe arm with an effective length of 245mm and adjustable tracking force from 0 to 2g, supporting cartridge weights from 1 to 9g (expandable to 22g with additional weight). The headshell is made from compression molded carbon and boron fibers. The turntable weighs approximately 31-33.8 kg and measures 555 x 160 x 470 mm. It is highly regarded for its neutral sound reproduction and ability to reveal cartridge colorations and resonances. Optional accessories include the DS-20 outer stabilizer ring, DS-21 platter stabilizer weight, TS-10 ceramic platter sheet, and TB-07 tonearm support plate. The L-07D was priced around 380,000 Yen in 1979 and 5600 DM in Germany at launch. It is considered one of the finest direct-drive turntables ever produced, with wow and flutter less than 0.02% WRMS and a signal-to-noise ratio better than -94 dB DIN weighted.