HARMON KARDAN HK T65c TURNTABLE

[TandbergRay]

Hello,

I picked up a mint Harmon kardon T65c from an older lady on Craigslist. I actually disconnected it from her system. It was meticulous, very well cared for. The tonearm on these are a carbon Fiber arm, by ITO, a tonearm designer. This was the top of the line table in this series. Frank VanAlstine uses a T35c from this series, and loves it. Anyone in here familiar with this table, or have any opinions on them, and good cartridge mates for it?? It has an Ortofon Super 20 on it now.

My main Table is a VPI HW19 MK.IV with ZETA Tonearm...I have a variety of cartridges, but the VPI/ZETA Table combo is more for Low Compliant cartridges....I was wanting a good table/arm to start using my Shure V15V-MR, AT20-SLa, and Grado Signature TLZ cartridges on. I also have a DUAL CS506 Turntable with ULM Tonearm, and was wondering if the HK T65c Table was superior to the DUAL?? Thanks, Ray

[Scorpion8]

No experience, but always wanted one of those. Now that I have the Optonica, the mood has passed. The Dual ULM tonearm is a hard one to beat IMHO, but the plinths can be "plasticy". I think a shoot-out is in order.

[TandbergRay]

Hi Scorpion,

yes, the DUAL seems to be a candidate for Mortite Clay packing inside the plinth. I agree very plasticy.....that is the one thing I dont care for. The HK T65c is built very solid, and its heavy, also comes with a Heavy Record Weight/Clamp....and has a Servo Speed Control switch, that can be activated, to keep steady speed. The tonearm, and antiskate seem to be a bit more High End looking, and feeling than most average tables I have come across. So far, I like it alot. Ray







No experience, but always wanted one of those. Now that I have the Optonica, the mood has passed. The Dual ULM tonearm is a hard one to beat IMHO, but the plinths can be "plasticy". I think a shoot-out is in order.

[Mark J]

I picked up a T55c about a year ago and it is a nice table. These are well regarded, poor man's Thorens as stated by many. Good table enjoy it. Use it what cartridges that like a low-medium mass arm.

I have an AT 15Sa on a 7-8 gram arm and it is a nice match.

[r2cseals]

Hello,

I picked up a mint Harmon kardon T65c from an older lady on Craigslist. I actually disconnected it from her system. It was meticulous, very well cared for. The tonearm on these are a carbon Fiber arm, by ITO, a tonearm designer. This was the top of the line table in this series. Frank VanAlstine uses a T35c from this series, and loves it. Anyone in here familiar with this table, or have any opinions on them, and good cartridge mates for it?? It has an Ortofon Super 20 on it now.

My main Table is a VPI HW19 MK.IV with ZETA Tonearm...I have a variety of cartridges, but the VPI/ZETA Table combo is more for Low Compliant cartridges....I was wanting a good table/arm to start using my Shure V15V-MR, AT20-SLa, and Grado Signature TLZ cartridges on. I also have a DUAL CS506 Turntable with ULM Tonearm, and was wondering if the HK T65c Table was superior to the DUAL?? Thanks, Ray

HI Ray I know this is a old post but thought I would say that Frank uses a T-30 not a T-35 and to add to that he also removed the transformer form the table to reduce hum he say's it's dead quite I two have a T-30 but have problems with it.
I also have all AVA gear good durable stuff wish I had the cash to get it upgraded to his latest stuff been with him from 1982 and a hell of a nice guy
Russ

[TandbergRay]

Hi russ,
thanks for the reply. I was pretty much aware of what he uses. There isnt alot of difference between the T30, and T35....but important part, was that he used an isolated power supply for them. The T65C is the cram of the Crop...real nice. I was looking more for advice of cartridge matches, etc...and any possible modifications...Thanks, Ray




HI Ray I know this is a old post but thought I would say that Frank uses a T-30 not a T-35 and to add to that he also removed the transformer form the table to reduce hum he say's it's dead quite I two have a T-30 but have problems with it.
I also have all AVA gear good durable stuff wish I had the cash to get it upgraded to his latest stuff been with him from 1982 and a hell of a nice guy
Russ

[JXBJXB]

Seems to me that those H-K tables have almost always been paired up with Grados. I don't know if that's the Frank Van Alstine influence or what, and I've never been much of a Grado person, but people do like them. Maybe you need to go add the "longhorn" stabilizer to your Grado and see how it does on that table?

Otherwise, I'd say any of the high-compliance cartridges from that era would be a nice match for the arm. You appear to have two of the very good ones in your Shure and AT? Those would be tops on my list, and I wouldn't shy away from using the V-15 now that you can get a Jico SAS for it.

These days I'm a believer in low mass tonearms with suspended belt drive tables and high-compliance carts. I have a Heybrook TT-2 with Infinity Black Widow and Shure V15-IV/Jico SAS, and the combination just sings.

I also have a H-K T25 in very good condition here. Haven't played with it much but it has a Grado mounted on it (I think equivalent of the current Green). I have no use for it, so either I'll sell it, or I will mod it (the modifications for the external power supply are easy to do) and then sell it. Anyone interested? :)

[2ndRick]

I also have a H-K T25 in very good condition here. Haven't played with it much but it has a Grado mounted on it (I think equivalent of the current Green). I have no use for it, so either I'll sell it, or I will mod it (the modifications for the external power supply are easy to do) and then sell it. Anyone interested? :)
Yes.
PM me and I will go down the list of possible trades...