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Harman Kardon ST-8 Value?

kapohoguy

kapohoguy

Active Member
I just restored this Harman Kardon ST-8 linear track turntable for a friend. I'd never seen one before but got it going with help form threads found here and service manual from Vinyl Engine. Once it was all set up and running I was impressed. The quality reminded me of the first time I had an SL-1200. What a piece of work--heavy adonized aluminum case, Rabco tonearm, cool touch controls with lights, perfect tracking. Made in the USA--Sept 1976, according to a label under the platter. It has all its parts except the dust cover. My friend intends to sell it and has no idea what to ask. I'm thinking around $300-400. Any opinions on what it would be worth?
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That's a tough one. The usual best source is completed eBay listings but I don't see any. I think you are in the ballpark with your price though. It's a beauty.
 
Agreed on price range as Montycat said. Most similar Pioneer, Yamaha and Marantz offerings of similar build go for around that range.
 
I feel like Galadriel in Lord of the Rings: I saw this post and managed to restrain myself from trying to buy it. I have conquered my acquisitiveness! I am queen of... Ahem, I mean king of... Er... Whatevs.

Very nice ST-8. $300-400 seems about right if it has been gone through and includes the dust cover and alignment tool.
 
Falstaff said:
Agreed on price range as Montycat said. Most similar Pioneer, Yamaha and Marantz offerings of similar build go for around that range.
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IMO the H/K linear trackers were of higher quality than those from the brands you mentioned (I think those brands also came later, linear tracking didn't become popular until the early 1980s, IIRC).
 
Probably true of the Pioneer and maybe the Marantz offering but I'll arm wrestle you over the Yamaha offering. lol
 
In the grand scheme of things, they are probably deserving of more $$$. But they don't have the cachet of other brands for the masses.
 
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It's worth noting that the H/Ks are belt drive (H/K was never a big player in the turntable market; I believe all their turntables were belt drive). Most other LT turntables are direct, if that matters to you.
 
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The ST8 uses 2 belts, one to drive the platter, and one to drive the LT arm. The ST8 is the best of the series, and does not employ the rubber drive wheel in the arm tracking mechanism that always turns to goo, and is hard to source. The arm cue uses a air pot attached to the bottom of the table. because of the low mass of the short arm it favors/requires high compliance cartridges.
I sold mine which was in very good condition for $345 plus shipping 5-6 years ago.
Regards,
Jim
 
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