I've owned several different belt drive turntables from AR to Thorens and of course tons of Japanese belt drive turntables but my experience is still limited. However, from all the belt drive turntables I've owned, serviced, and heard, the Harman Kardon T-65C is definitely a superb deck. I know many belt drives are subjected to plethora of modification the HK T-65C is one of the better sounding and better decks in stock form for several different reasons.
1) Suspension adjustments are done up top, underneath the platter
2) Pitch control
3) One of the quietest motors I've "heard" it's really a well engineered deck
4) Subjective: auto life at the end of the record
While it's no giant killer by any means, it's truly a giant poker. This is a 2-speed, belt drive w/ quartz lock, auto life turntable. It also has adjustable capacitance for cartridge loading and a low mass carbon fiber tonearm. The tonearm is more likely a Japanese design due to HK connection in the 80s. Reminds me of a Micro Seki / Jelco tonearm, especially the counter weight. The tonearm is a ITO Microtrace tonearm.
It also comes with it's own turntable clamp or weight, which is essential for the suspension. It's truly a well designed deck. There are also some modifications one can do, generally mass loading the plinth and dampening the suspension springs.
Overall, it's in excellent shape, dustcover has the usual wear. It also comes with low capacitance cables and struts a Shure cartridge which is an excellent match. Not to mention, it's been serviced and ready to go!
Simple, elegant, and well engineered, like all HK products of this era. Gotta love em!
1) Suspension adjustments are done up top, underneath the platter
2) Pitch control
3) One of the quietest motors I've "heard" it's really a well engineered deck
4) Subjective: auto life at the end of the record
While it's no giant killer by any means, it's truly a giant poker. This is a 2-speed, belt drive w/ quartz lock, auto life turntable. It also has adjustable capacitance for cartridge loading and a low mass carbon fiber tonearm. The tonearm is more likely a Japanese design due to HK connection in the 80s. Reminds me of a Micro Seki / Jelco tonearm, especially the counter weight. The tonearm is a ITO Microtrace tonearm.
It also comes with it's own turntable clamp or weight, which is essential for the suspension. It's truly a well designed deck. There are also some modifications one can do, generally mass loading the plinth and dampening the suspension springs.
Overall, it's in excellent shape, dustcover has the usual wear. It also comes with low capacitance cables and struts a Shure cartridge which is an excellent match. Not to mention, it's been serviced and ready to go!
Simple, elegant, and well engineered, like all HK products of this era. Gotta love em!
