Change cartridge on Kenwood turntable?

[marcster]

I have a Kenwood KD-291r turntable that's all "stock." It came with a MM cartridge and I'm wondering if that cartridge can be replaced. I've heard that some turntables only can use cartridges from their own manufacturer and, of course, the manual is nowhere to be found.

It looks like there's some kind of Torx screw right where the cartridge attaches but I haven't tried to do anything with it.

Has anybody had experiece with this model and can the cartridge be changed?

 

[mikemorrow]

You think you have problems. I have a B&O 2404 a cheap cartridge is $150. And they don't make them any more! Any way, ya you can buy a new one. Take off the old one and look at the numbers on it. You sould find a match for around $30

 

[marcster]

What I meant was, it looks like the cartridge is replaceable, but is it replaceable *only* with a Kenwood cartridge, or can any cartridge be installed?

 

[Electone]

Your cartridge is either a P-Mount (the cartridge plugs into the tonearm and is attached with 1 screw), or a Standard-Mount (it attaches under the head shell on the tonearm with 2 screws and there are 4 coloured wires visible at the back of it). Audio Technica makes excellent replacement cartridges in both styles.

 

[marcster]

Oh ... it was a Phillips, not a Torx, but there was only one screw, in the *top* and when I was able to loosen the cartridge, it looked like the four wires were soldered on to the cartridge.

Is that how those should look?

I could not see very well whether they could actually pull out or would have to be "unsoldered." The tonearm would only lift about two inches above the platform of the turntable!

 

[Electone]

Oh ... it was a Phillips, not a Torx, but there was only one screw, in the *top* and when I was able to loosen the cartridge, it looked like the four wires were soldered on to the cartridge.

Is that how those should look?

I could not see very well whether they could actually pull out or would have to be "unsoldered." The tonearm would only lift about two inches above the platform of the turntable!

I've never seen anything like that before. If it is a specific cartridge that you require, you're probably out of luck. Try these web site and see if they can help you:

http://www.garage-a-records.com/cart.html
http://www.needledoctor.com/