Review: Harman Kardon T-60 Turntable


Category: Analog

The Harman Kardon T 60 turntable,was one of the important turntables to come out in the early 80s. HK set out to build an affordable high end turntable that most audiophiles could afford. And to that end they accomplished their mission quite nicely. Belt drive turntable with a 3 point floating suspension,in a high mass chassis. Above average tonearm.Often referred to as the working mans Linn Sondek turntable. HK researched all the basic fundamentals,and produced an exemplary turntable that is ageless.Lets face it, basic engineering remains true.The HK T 60 is heavy at 18 pounds and needs a solid resting place. Grado cartridges work well with the tone arm. The platter is heavy at 3.3 pounds and has a high density mat,also the inside of the turntable platter is damped as well,to further reduce any ringing. Basically a manual turntable with auto lift at end of play,or you can defeat the auto lift by a switch. Has variable capicitance loading. But if you use a grado cartridge it is not needed.Grados are not sensitive to capictance loading. Comes with a heavy disc stablizer to insure proper contact of the record with the platter. As well has gold plated RCA jacks on the back of the unit,so you can use different interconnects cables of your choice.With the renewed interest in vinyl,this is one turntable to go after and acquire it just that good.From time to time they pop up on Auction sites and Classified sites. Usually sell for $250.00 to $325.00. They retailed for $449.95,when new. To sell for those prices in the used market,is sheer testament of their value some 20 years after they were new.I can speak with some authority on this product. I have owned one since new,and has never failed to deliver the music,crisp,clear,detailed,and with a transparency rivaled only by the finest high end tables.

Associated gear
Threshold Cas 2 Amp,Forte Model 2 preamp,Nad 4020 A Tuner,Denon 1560 CD Player,Polk SDA 2 Speakers.

Similar products
AR ES 1 Turntable,Linn Sodek TT,Kenwood KD 500, Ariston RD 40 and Oracle Alexandria.
ferrari
As follow up to December post. Did a good cleaning, and with help from Forum, chose Audio Technica 440ML cartridge. After adjustment, played same record on new turntable, and then T-60. The results were so obvious that my non-audiophile wife said "greater clarity and brightness; I can hear more, and it sounds better".

Just can't believe the difference, and feel soooo dumb. Now I just need to work on a better pre-amp than the basic creek!
where can I get parts for my T-60...?

there is a missing cam or "wheel", hub..? that the belt rides on.....I need this part..
Try this place, they did have a lot of HK Parts.

Gramophone Shop Incorporated (303) 744-1284 2707 E Louisiana Ave, Denver, CO

Good folks easy to talk with, quite helpful.
Sold mine a few years ago after it sat for a decade on my shelf. Hey, maybe you wound up with mine!