My mom has one of this kenwood a701a for 24 years now. First hand and only. I remember, that all my life smell that "burning cable" or "charcoal" when she turned on the machine, no matter the speed, it always will have that smell. Today i plug the machine, to tested it after 8 years of no use, and that smell stills there. Remind me my childhood. Dont worry. Some of those a701a naturally smell like that. (sorry for my bad english) Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina!!!