Harman Kardon Turntable owners/appreciation group.
- Thread starter jondon
- Start date
jnoyes
Super Member
Thanks guys
Yes, I do all my own work. I enjoy restoring vintage turntables the HKs are some of my favorites. The T60 and T65 I had where also done in rosewood. The T65 was a gift to a dear friend and the T60 I sold on Ebay a while back. I just recently got this T40 on Ebay for about $125 shipped. I think that's a pretty good deal for a very good turntable!
Some other mods to the T40 include adding about 5 lbs of MDF to the plinth, filling in dead spaces and strengthening it. The platter is from a T60 (about a pound heavier than the stock platter) and I have added GT mat (similar to Dynamat) to the inside for damping. Also added GT mat to the bottom plate. The table is about 6 lbs heavier than stock. I have plans for some arm mods to eliminate the tuning fork problem as described by Pio1980. I plan to connect the open end with some plastic to see if that helps. Perhaps an outboard power supply in the future.
I had a AT-440 on this that I liked very much. I just got the Grado 8MZ stylus and it only has about two hours on it, so it's not yet broken in.
I really like these vintage Harman Kardons, both the look and the performance.
The T40 is not as good as my JVC QL-Y66F, but it's pretty good!
Jon
Yes, I do all my own work. I enjoy restoring vintage turntables the HKs are some of my favorites. The T60 and T65 I had where also done in rosewood. The T65 was a gift to a dear friend and the T60 I sold on Ebay a while back. I just recently got this T40 on Ebay for about $125 shipped. I think that's a pretty good deal for a very good turntable!
Some other mods to the T40 include adding about 5 lbs of MDF to the plinth, filling in dead spaces and strengthening it. The platter is from a T60 (about a pound heavier than the stock platter) and I have added GT mat (similar to Dynamat) to the inside for damping. Also added GT mat to the bottom plate. The table is about 6 lbs heavier than stock. I have plans for some arm mods to eliminate the tuning fork problem as described by Pio1980. I plan to connect the open end with some plastic to see if that helps. Perhaps an outboard power supply in the future.
I had a AT-440 on this that I liked very much. I just got the Grado 8MZ stylus and it only has about two hours on it, so it's not yet broken in.
I really like these vintage Harman Kardons, both the look and the performance.
The T40 is not as good as my JVC QL-Y66F, but it's pretty good!
Jon
Gravelyguy
Active Member
T60 here sporting a Shure m91ed with all of the Mods Pio1980 suggested. I really enjoy this table. Has anyone else tried the "raised record" mod. Pio experimented with? He abandoned it but I find it adds a little more space between instruments.
Dave
Dave
Pictures and some details about your mods!
The best other mat I've tried on my T60 was a relatively unusual Sony planetary style mat. Otherwise, applying something like Dynamat damping to the underside of the platter and strips to the sub-chassis and belly pan, along with the felt damped remounting of the chassis counterweight transforms this TT into a much better SQ class.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
emanul2000
New Member
HK T35C with Ortophon OM 30, great table...Love vintage hk !!!! have an amp and tuner seperates, ROCK
I believe the T series came out in 1983.
Mawerick
Active Member
^bump
My T55C died recently. When I move the tonearm towards the platter, it actuates the start switch. However, the motor only spins very briefly and shuts down. If the belt is in place, you can notice the platter moving slightly before stopping.
I'm planning to recap the entire 'table, but haven't got around to it yet. Anyone had similar problems?
My T55C died recently. When I move the tonearm towards the platter, it actuates the start switch. However, the motor only spins very briefly and shuts down. If the belt is in place, you can notice the platter moving slightly before stopping.
I'm planning to recap the entire 'table, but haven't got around to it yet. Anyone had similar problems?
eriathomas
Active Member
I just recently purchased a fully serviced T60. I'm currently using a AT120E cartridge on it, but want to venture into something new. I'm thinking a Grado of some kind, or a Denon DL110. What's everyone's opinions on these carts on the arm? I have to take it back this weekend, because the auto lift is not working and the shop said they'll tweak it for me. My last question is, does the counterweight and the dial move independently? I have it tracking at 1.5g, but it shows .5 and I can't turn the dial without turning the entire counterweight. Am I missing something?
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eriathomas
Active Member
I just got my HK T60 back from the shop, after some speed problems, and they cracked the mat. They gave me a rubber technics mat to use, will this affect anything? I feel like everything on the table was made to work well with each other, so introducing a different mat seems weird.
Edit: Also doe anyone know if any straight head shell with work on these tables? I've read the supplied one is a few degrees off normal, so not sure if I buy a second if it's possible to get a cartridge properly aligned.
Edit: Also doe anyone know if any straight head shell with work on these tables? I've read the supplied one is a few degrees off normal, so not sure if I buy a second if it's possible to get a cartridge properly aligned.
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Cylontymany
Super Member
HK720 in the shop for a tune up and putting a Tonar/Nag 555 on it! Cant wait to pick it up. The 720 looks nice too!
Pablo Alto
New Member
HK720 --- seeking the fabled Harman-Kardon hk720 tracking alignment gauge card (that ONLY came in the original packaging).
If anyone has this in their possession, and can provide a clean and exact scale scan, I would be deeply appreciative. The only reference I can find over on Vinyl Engine is stated as not to scale, and printing it out proves that the "flap mark" is about 2cm past the headshell length!
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/harman-kardon/tracking-angle-gauge.shtml
If anyone has this in their possession, and can provide a clean and exact scale scan, I would be deeply appreciative. The only reference I can find over on Vinyl Engine is stated as not to scale, and printing it out proves that the "flap mark" is about 2cm past the headshell length!
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/harman-kardon/tracking-angle-gauge.shtml
Bubbalouie
Audiophilia Maximus
Harman/Kardon products are very underrated. My first H/K was a receiver I purchased around the summer of 1976. The more information I can read about Sidney Harman tells me he was ahead of his time and a genius.
I have never owned a H/K turntable to which I now regret. However, I am glad to see support for the H/K Turntable Owners Appreciation Thread. I hope this group continues to grow. Harman/Kardon deserves an Owners Appreciation thread.
I have never owned a H/K turntable to which I now regret. However, I am glad to see support for the H/K Turntable Owners Appreciation Thread. I hope this group continues to grow. Harman/Kardon deserves an Owners Appreciation thread.
