Prana69 Posted September 9, 2012 Posted September 9, 2012 Hi all I've just acquired a Kenwood KD-500 with aftermarket Grace 840 tone arm. I'm getting no audio out. When I first plugged it in, I only had sound out of one channel. In the course of trying to work out why, I lost the other channel. The arm utilises a small 5 pin DIN to RCA cable like below. It seems to be fitting very loosely into the arm socket and at one point I noticed that if I wiggled it I got occasional contact and audio out. So, questions: 1. Does anyone have any experience with this arm and/or this DIN? Are they renowned for being a bit flakey? I'd spot the $80+ postage for a new cable, but I want to confirm first that it IS the cable, and not the socket into the arm, or the internal wiring. 2. Is anyone (or does anyone know) someone in the South / Bayside / South East region (anywhere from South Melbourne to Frankston, or out to Mitcham/Ringwood, or Hallam/Cranbourne) of Melbourne who is knowledgeable about this arm and could take a look at this for me? Cheers David
lovetube Posted September 9, 2012 Posted September 9, 2012 Hi all I've just acquired a Kenwood KD-500 with aftermarket Grace 840 tone arm. I'm getting no audio out. When I first plugged it in, I only had sound out of one channel. In the course of trying to work out why, I lost the other channel. The arm utilises a small 5 pin DIN to RCA cable like below. It seems to be fitting very loosely into the arm socket and at one point I noticed that if I wiggled it I got occasional contact and audio out. So, questions: 1. Does anyone have any experience with this arm and/or this DIN? Are they renowned for being a bit flakey? I'd spot the $80+ postage for a new cable, but I want to confirm first that it IS the cable, and not the socket into the arm, or the internal wiring. 2. Is anyone (or does anyone know) someone in the South / Bayside / South East region (anywhere from South Melbourne to Frankston, or out to Mitcham/Ringwood, or Hallam/Cranbourne) of Melbourne who is knowledgeable about this arm and could take a look at this for me? Cheers David hi David. look like the socket at the end of the arm that have problem not the cable , if the cable pictured above is the actual cable you got then I don't think it is a cable that cause problem as i can see the cable is after market and already have the cardas din plug so you won't get any better with the new cable you are refer to . so get the arm look at is your best bet . cheers Duc
Prana69 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 Hi Duc I don't have that actual cable. I suspect the one I have is just the stock cable that came with the arm when the original owner built the table 30+ years ago. I was just using that picture as an example of the connections my cable has. I'm hoping someone nearby might have the same cable so I can swap mine out and see if it is the cable or the socket that is faulty (or something else). Thanks David
Tony M Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 I'd suggest checking the cable with a multimeter and see if it loses continuity when you wriggle the pins. 1
Prana69 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 I'd suggest checking the cable with a multimeter and see if it loses continuity when you wriggle the pins. Thanks Tony. Yes, I considered that. I do have a MM but don't know how to use it on cables, especially when there are 5 pins at one end and 2 at the other.... Can you talk me through the process please? Thanks David
caddisgeek Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 I have one of those cables you could borrow if you like, PM me your adress and I'll pop it in the post
Prana69 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 I have one of those cables you could borrow if you like, PM me your adress and I'll pop it in the post Outstanding! Thanks. Will PM you now. Dave
Prana69 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 I think your inbox might be full caddis! D
caddisgeek Posted September 10, 2012 Posted September 10, 2012 sorry about that Dave, give it another go
Prana69 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) Worked that time. Thanks David Edited September 10, 2012 by Prana69
Prana69 Posted September 11, 2012 Author Posted September 11, 2012 Hey Duc Your post from last night got lost in the server migration, but I read it before it was lost. I also suspected the socket may have been the fault especially when the cable appeared to be fine when I tested with the multimeter. But I eliminated the "faulty socket" possibility (I think) by holding the plug very securely in place, and making sure that only the cable was moving when I "wiggled" it. There was definitely an isolated point about 50mm below the plug where when I twisted the cable - almost twisting it over on itself - I got output through both channels, and the plug could not move in the socket because I was holding it in place. I twisted 5-10 mm above and 5-10mm below that point, and got nothing. But at 50mm - bingo! So, I'm still hopeful that the borrowed cable will work. Thanks for your suggestions. If the cable does not do the trick, can I come see you "way out west"? (You previously worked on my Thorens TD-160 - last year) Dave
lovetube Posted September 11, 2012 Posted September 11, 2012 Hey Duc Your post from last night got lost in the server migration, but I read it before it was lost. I also suspected the socket may have been the fault especially when the cable appeared to be fine when I tested with the multimeter. But I eliminated the "faulty socket" possibility (I think) by holding the plug very securely in place, and making sure that only the cable was moving when I "wiggled" it. There was definitely an isolated point about 50mm below the plug where when I twisted the cable - almost twisting it over on itself - I got output through both channels, and the plug could not move in the socket because I was holding it in place. I twisted 5-10 mm above and 5-10mm below that point, and got nothing. But at 50mm - bingo! So, I'm still hopeful that the borrowed cable will work. Thanks for your suggestions. If the cable does not do the trick, can I come see you "way out west"? (You previously worked on my Thorens TD-160 - last year) Dave no problem Dave. it is a piece of cake i eat every days . good luck Duc
Prana69 Posted September 14, 2012 Author Posted September 14, 2012 Well, caddisgeek was kind enough to send me his working cable to test, and I am happy to report that it works fine! So the problem is with the cable, not the arm or socket (thankfully). I'll be ordering a replacement cable shortly. Thanks Steve for your offer to borrow the cable to test. It's testament to what a great forum SNA is that members help each other out like this. I'll send the cable back to you on Monday. Dave 1
caddisgeek Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 Glad it worked out David, may as well keep using it until you get a replacement. Don't hurry sending it back, I'm not using it
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