[trackball02]

I'm planning to get my T60 out storage and take it for a spin. Anyone with experience with this TT have recommendations for a cartridge? I'm budgeting up to $500.

I listen to mostly jazz and rock, occasional classical. My preamp is a Van Alstine Avastar with the phono option, which I believe is good for mm and high output mc.

Also, will the T60 need servicing since it was sitting in storage for a very long time?

Thanks. Jay

[Wayner]

If you'd be interested in doing a modification to the T60 (removing the internal step-down transformer to a remote (by distance) location), a Grado would sound most excellent.

Wayner

[WGH]

I have a T55C and doing the power supply mod is an absolute necessity for speed stability and imaging. The table has a low mass tone arm so look for a cartridge with a high compliance (no moving coils). Go for the Grado though I don't know if the Longhorn will work with the disk stabilizer. I am very happy with a Goldring 1042 but is is very tricky to set up - the tonearm has to be raised to maximum extension which involves loosening tiny set screws under the table.

The published specifications for the overhang do not result in the lowest distortion. More info here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=63050.0

Link: AVA Longhorn Phono Cartridges or you can DIY the Longhorn.



I think the AVA Turntable Alignment System is an excellent set of tools. Go for it if you have the funds.

All you need to get this going is a new belt.

[Calypte]

Is the T60 considered valuable?  Years ago I once had one (working), and I gave it away to the Salvation Army (or some such) when we were cleaning out stuff to move.  Several years earlier I had replaced it in my system with a Linn LP12.  The H-K T60 was decent, but I hated the cuing lever.  I still have (somewhere) the record weight, which I forgot to include when I gave away the tt.

[Wayner]

If you want to use more traditional alignments, there are also some other choices, but it has been too long since I've worked on a HK. I thought some alignments were not possible to get at. At any rate, for a Baerwald alignment, use 18.368 overhang with 65.998 and 120.891 null points. For a Lofgren B, use 18.847 overhang with 70.285 and 116.604 null points and for a Stevenson, use 16.382 overhang with 60.325 and 117.417 null points.

I also thought there might have been some error in the pivot to spindle specifications, as that was suppose to be at 208mm with a 18mm overhang, resulting in a 25.5 offset angle. This charted out really bad, if I recall. If you can get it into a Lofgren B, that is what I suggest (I think Wayne is close to that, tho he is using a custom alignment), it plots out very well.

Wayner

[trackball02]

Thanks. I am not sure what is meant by a power supply mod. As I recall, I did not experience any problems with speed stability in the past. Is this modification difficult and expensive?

When I originally purchased the T60, it came with a DYNAVECTOR 10X3 pre installed, and it seemed to work just fine. The stylus is no longer functioning.

I'm somewhat hesitant about setting up the TT myself, but I'll look into AVA turntable alignment system. I'm somewhat all thumbs, and hopefully, it is not too difficult to use.

[rcag_ils]

Is the T60 considered valuable?

The T-60 is not that valuable, the internet blogs have drummed it up so it's price is overly inflated at this time, but it's a decent table.

It was HK's last attempt to produce a decent turntable in the early 80's. It's better than your garden variety Japanese direct drive table like the Technics, but still a few steps behind the "highend" tables.

[rcag_ils]

I am not sure what is meant by a power supply mod. As I recall, I did not experience any problems with speed stability in the past. Is this modification difficult and expensive?

I think they are referring to the AVA Audio Basics HK power supply mod. It's not expensive or difficult, but you'd need to gather parts, and take your turntable apart without losing any hardware. If you have the time, go for it.

[WGH]

With a properly tuned up T60 you may not "need" a high end table. I usually get all my vinyl used and find the T55C good enough. The DC transformer transmits micro-vibrations through everything, get rid of it. For some reason Quartz Lock kills the imaging too, do the mod, turn off QL and all of a sudden you get a solid 3-D image between your speakers.

Here is the power supply and tone arm tweak info:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=88205.msg865597#msg865597

Too much trouble? There is a Rega P1 with a Grado cartridge and records for $300 here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=91855.msg912310;topicseen#new

Wayne

[Wayner]

The T-60 is not that valuable, the internet blogs have drummed it up so it's price is overly inflated at this time, but it's a decent table.

It was HK's last attempt to produce a decent turntable in the early 80's. It's better than your garden variety Japanese direct drive table like the Technics, but still a few steps behind the "highend" tables.

They are valuable, because they are rare. There are none on eBay right now, and they seldom appear. Value is simply set by the laws of supply and demand. It is also a good table (made better by Frank's mods).

Wayner

[Calypte]

They are valuable, because they are rare. There are none on eBay right now, and they seldom appear. Value is simply set by the laws of supply and demand. It is also a good table (made better by Frank's mods).

Wayner

Maybe some lucky person got my old one for a song.

[trackball02]

Wayne,
Thanks for explaining about the T60 mods and the links. Now I understand what you initially described. That's way too difficult for me to do by myself. I guess I'll have to suffer with the micro-vibrations, install a new cartridge, and see if it is acceptable.
Jay

[rcag_ils]

They are valuable, because they are rare. There are none on eBay right now, and they seldom appear.

I don't think they are that "rare", "uncommon" maybe. HK made tons of them in the 80's. Ebay doesn't determine the rarity of an item. It's true that it doesn't appear on Ebay all the time now, but a couple years or so ago, I saw at least one about every other week.

There are couple of T-60 on the bay now, one priced at $399.00, like I said, not rare, and the price is overly inflated by internet bloggers. Also there are some HK "T" models there, they are T-35 and T-55. HK "T" series are OK turntables.

[trackball02]

Agree, I like my T60, but would not pay $400 for it. Given the age, speed, service and DC vibration issues.