Kenwood Photoelectric supreme 20 cartridge

I saw one today, the cartridge never touches the LP, I cant find a photo of it. but it was from the 70's I think and cost around $150 back then.

I didnt ask if it sounded good we got into a discussion about pop and click sound reducers, and all kinds of stuff. but it sure looked cool.

elroy

Hopefully some one can find some info out on this Kenny, there's a company marketing a similar idea for IIRC, $1,200 with a free record cleaning machine (it needs it as it also reads the dust and cat hairs! )

the tone arm looked like a hammer, but looked like digital, weird, but cool.

elroy

Hello elroy and to all on this forum this being is my first post.

We didn't get much opportunity to discuss this as you said, and yes is is kinda cool but I'm afraid it has a stylus. You saw it with its plastic stylus guard on and it probably wasn't apparent at first glance. I believe John had mentioned some piece of equipment that was able to do just what you said, but alas it's not part of my humble system.

This little gem never hit the US market and I bought it on the sly. It use a photo-electric cell(s) instead of a magnetic structure for the signals. It came with no paperwork or manual so I have no specs. I got it from a local stereo store and was informed there were patent issues with Decca re: photo-electric phono cartridges and such, but it was so cool and had a sound that was like the speed of light by comparison. I also was using Ortofon MCs and the high end Shures of that era, yet this was a real standout. It comes as a unit that would plug directly into the Ortofon tone arm replacing the standard shell and cartridge and it comes with its own pre- with a pass thru for my other cartridges.

I haven' listened to this since the 80's.. I guess. Something went wrong with the pre-amp thus the visit to NW Audio for a look see into the problem. I'm currently resurrecting my system. New towers, new reciver, new display... new sound especially coming from 60's vintage JBLs to ribbon tweets and hdmi this and that..my oh my. As a consequence I'm also digging out the long stored LP collection along with spending my ass off on new CDs

Anyhow, I digress and will try to post a photo when I get it back. Hopefully working on some of my old vinyl.

Bob

Glad you joined our little community, thanks for the info, I pretty much butcher most everything I post here.

elroy

Welcome fishinbob!! We like pics! I would really love to see this unique Kenny item you have, thanks for sharing in advance

Craig