Manufacturer's Specifications:
Turntable:
Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, variable control.
Motor Type: Servo-controlled d.c. quartz lock f.g. generator.
Drive Type: Belt.
Wow & Flutter: 0.035% wtd. rms.
Rumble: -67 dB, DIN B.
Pitch Range: ±3%.
Features:
Disc stabilizer, capacitance trim switch (+100, +200 pF), auto lift, detachable gold-tipped phono cables.
Tonearm:
Type: Low-mass, straight, statically balanced.
Stylus Overhang: 18 mm.
Offset Angle: 25.5°.
Effective Length: 8.9 in. (226 mm).
Tracking Error: ± 2°.
Recommended Tracking Force Range: 0 to 3 grams.
Phono Capacitance: 100/200/300 pF.
General Specifications:
Dimensions: 17.3 in. (44.0 cm) W x 5.8 in. (14.8 cm) H x 15.7 in. (37.2 cm) D.
Weight: 17.6 lbs. (8.0 kg).
Price: $399.95.
Company Address: 240 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, N.Y. 11797.
Harman/Kardon's new T60 turntable is a sleek, low-profile design with some rather interesting features. Unlike most models in this particular price range, it does not use a direct-drive system; the makers have opted for a d.c. servo-controlled motor with a belt drive. The belt--which is a flat nylon ribbon--drives a 3.3-lb. platter having an extra deep polished edge. A flat, rubber mat adds about 12 oz., and I was pleased to note that there are no ribs or holes to cause resonances. The arm is a low-mass type (only 8 grams) constructed from tubular aluminum and measuring 8.9 inches from pivot to stylus. Micro-race bearings are employed, and the headshell, which is made from lightweight carbon fiber, has a single screw fixing. Both arm and motor are mounted on a counterweighted subchassis which is suspended on three "dash-pots." This subchassis is made from diecast aluminum, and the floating suspension puts the center of gravity at the platter spindle. The unit comes complete with a disc stabilizer which has a diameter of 2 3/4 inches, weighs 1 1/4 lbs., and has strobe markings on the top. Another uncommon feature of the T60 is a three-position capacitance trim switch which can add 100 or 200 pF to the phono cartridge's load.
The cue lift lever is located just in front of the arm base, next to the anti-skating dial, while all the other controls are situated at the front. Reading from left to right, they are: Variable speed control, quartz-lock switch, speed-selector switches, trim control, and auto/ manual switch. Operation is not fully automatic, as the arm is only lifted at the end of a record.
The base is constructed from heavy chipboard with an attractive, smooth, silver finish and an aluminum control panel, and the unit stands on four large, adjustable feet. Output connection-gold-plated RCA-type phono sockets-are at the rear, together with a ground terminal. Gold-plated plugs are used on the low-capacitance connecting cables.
Measurements
For test purposes, an ADC ZLM cartridge was mounted on the shell, and alignment was set with the neat plastic gauge supplied. This gauge has the overhang template on it as well as "zero error" tracking points at 66.04 and 120.90 mm from the center spindle. The offset angle is 25.5°, which puts the maximum tracking error at approximately +2° and -1.2°. Tracking force was set to 1.5 grams for most tests and the anti-skating dial just over that figure. As a matter of interest, the ADC ZLM was able to track most records quite happily at 0.8 gram in this arm, and similar results were had with the Shure V15 Type V. Arm-cartridge resonance was a trifle low at 6.5 Hz, but the rise was only 3 dB. Wow and flutter measured a low 0.03% (DIN 45-507), and rumble was -59 dB. Using the Thorens "Rumpel-Messkoppler," the figure increased to 66 dB (ARRL). Arm friction was very low indeed in both vertical and horizontal modes, and there was no trace of side-play. Tracking force calibration was within 5% from 1 to 2 grams, and the anti-skating adjustment gave very good matching. Speed was well within the tolerances of the test record at 0.1% fast, and the variable control gave a range of +3.4% and -4.4%, measured with the quartz lock switched off.
Speed was not affected when the disc stabilizer was placed on the platter-although the natural oscillation period of the suspension system changed, with the amplitude decreasing and the decay time increasing.
This weight is not as effective in dealing with warped records as larger edge clamps or vacuum systems, but it does "bond" most records to the platter quite well and certainly performs a useful function. As for the capacitance trim control, this is definitely a worthwhile refinement since there are a few cartridges out there which need loads of 400 pF or so for best results.
Use and Listening Tests
In operation, the T60's arm is moved manually to the required position, and the cue lever is used to lower the stylus gently into the groove. If the "Lift" button is set to "Manual," the motor will not stop at the end of play and the stylus will remain in the run-out groove.
In the "Auto" mode, the motor will stop and the arm will lift-it will not return to its rest position. The cueing device works well, with a minimum of backlash, but it is not accessible when the dust cover is closed.
Predictably, the T60 is reasonably free from acoustic feedback, and the base can be knocked quite hard before any mistracking occurs. Like other Harman/Kardon products, the T60 is notable for clean, "no nonsense" styling, and the performance level attained by its well-designed arm makes use with a top-quality phono cartridge necessary.
---George W. Tillett
George Tillett, a former editor of this magazine, died in an accident on Saturday, October 30, 1982. Reflections will appear in our next issue.
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Audiokarma.org thread (diff. between T60 and T65c)
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