Kenwood L-D1 (1992)

 

Of course, seeing "that" brand on microwave ovens or pasta makers now breaks the hearts of audio enthusiasts who know its history...

The Kenwood L-D1, a reference-level high-end CD player, introduced in 1992 and engineered in collaboration with the engineers at Accuphase (of which Kenwood was the "parent"), was the flagship of Kenwood's "Audio Purist" series. It was known for its monumental construction (it weighed about 20 kg) and a playback system that emulated the operation of an analog turntable.

Architecture and Mechanics:

The L-D1 used a unique top-loading technology, based on the mechanism developed in-house by Kenwood for the LVD-Z1 model.

Fixed Platter: The CD was inserted label-side down onto a 130 mm turned aluminum rotating platter. Disc Holder: It came with a 100-gram stabilizer that covered the entire surface of the CD to minimize vibrations and correct any warping in the media. Motorized Lid: The top glass could be set to open at three different angles (45°, 60°, or 80°) via a rear selector. The chassis was constructed with die-cast aluminum panels up to 8 mm thick and internal steel sections for complete isolation from any dispersion and vibrations.

Audio Specifications:

The technological heart of the player guaranteed top-level performance according to the official data reported by "The Vintage Knob" and the Kenwood manuals:

D/A Conversion: Dual PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) system with Super C4 circuitry for distortion cancellation. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N): 108 dB. Dynamic Range: >100 dB. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.001% at 1 kHz. Analog Outputs: Gold-plated solid brass terminals with output impedance of only 0.1 Ohm.

Thanks to’Marco Maggiorelli for remembering such a shiny past.