Kenwood L-D1
(1991 - 1995)

Kenwood's ultimate CD player.
Launched in a gradually vanishing market so, like many other early 1990s units, the L-D1 got barely visible and sold poorly. And since the accompanying L-A1 amplifier and LVD-Z1 Laserdisc player sadly suffered the same fate, that, for Kenwood, was that - exit. Pity, for these units were exceptional and made for an unbeatable sound-quality/price ratio. Sure, at 280,000¥, this wasn't for everybody, but you can't receive Accuphase-like quality for free.

The L-D1 is a very rare gem which, according to reliable sources, Sony had a hand in - at least a few fingers (the laser pickup is a Sony KSS) and probably more... The CD is loaded à la Pioneer's Stable Platter system but it is said the L-D1 mechanism comes from Kenwood's own in-house developped LVD-Z1 Laserdisc player, adapted to CD's smaller format. Comparing the contemporary Pioneer PD-95 and the L-D1 is... very much in favor of the latter: pressed metal vs. aluminium slabs.
Build-quality is very much Accuphase-like: glass-epoxy boards, 5mm and 8mm aluminium slabs (!), steel structure, two power transformers, select parts, dual PDM digital to analogue conversion, the same distortion-cancelling circuits found in the L-A1, power FETs in the audio output stage (à la Sony...), 0,1Ohm analog outputs etc. The top lid is naturally motorized and can be preset to open at 45°, 60° or 80°. As a drive, the L-D1 made wonders, as a CD player it seems some found it to be not as good as its build-quality. I wouldn't know, unfortunately, but this sure was a lavish way for Kenwood to say goodbye.

When I finally decided to buy my first real CD player in 1995, I hesitated betwen the Kenwood L-D1 and the Philips-based Micromega Duo CD3. I settled on the latter and made, to say the least, a mistake the size of Florida.