Price Paid:  $130.00 from eBay

Summary:
My T65C is a string-weight antiskate version of the T60. It arrived with the platter in place and a ruined main bearing that wobbled in the main bearing plate. But, pressing the main bearing mount back into place with hammer and flat punch solved the problem It came with a 1987 Ortofon Super OM 40 cartridge and stylus so, I gave it a spin.

Compared to my Acoustic Research AR XA which was totally rebuilt, the difference was considerable. The T65C with the Ortofon cartridge is a knockout with good tight bass, spectacular highs, and a background so quiet it rivals CDs at the noise level.

I have compared the T65C with a number of other turntables including a Garrard 301 with SME arm and Thorens TD160 with the Ortofon Super OM 40 mounted in the arms. The TD65C is better than the 301 with a lower noise level and better than the TD160 with mid range and highs providing superior presence.

Strengths:
Very low noise level and provides a basis of spectacular mid's and high's.

Weaknesses:
No new parts are available from the factory or other sources.

Similar Products Used:
See comparison in text.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Audiotronics in Roanoke, VA

Summary:
I actually own the T65C, but no review category existed for that model so I used the T60 category. I purchased this turntable new in 1985 and have used it as my only analog source for 17 years. Right now it has a Audio Technical OC-9 MC cartridge which feeds into a Nakamichi CA-5 preamp with its great MC set-up. This is a great turntable and as others have found, it can be found on eBay for under $150 these days. My spindle was damaged in a move, so be sure to check for play in the spindle. Also, make sure you remove the platter BEFORE shipping or you'll totally screw up the spindle in the move. They don't make these any more, so it makes sense to try and find one that someone didn't use that much. These are really nice looking turntables. Unlike the Linn or Thorens turntables, the H/K 60 & 65C don't look dated or out of place with a modern stereo system. Look at spending $200 for a decent cartridge for the H/K. I had a nice Denon cartridge, but when I stepped up to the OC-9, it make a HUGE difference. The T65C simply sounds good, neutral, and airy. With it, even regular domestic vinyl beats CDs. The 1/2 speed master records sound incredible. Of yeah ... I think they cost around $500+ new, but I was able to get mine on sale.

Strengths:
well built, nice suspension, good tone arm, nice auto-lift feature, nice looking - timeless design

Weaknesses:
spindle is a tad weak, VTA adjustment could be better, platter could have a tad more heft

Price Paid:  $50.00 from garage sale

Summary:
i found this two doors down at a garage sale,it came with the complete shipping box and all manuals.i upgraded to a grado cartridge and now find my self listening to a lot more records.the age of vinyl still breaths here.

Strengths:
very well built-ito arm is carbon fiber really a sweet feature.

Weaknesses:
next to zero support skate feature could be better

Similar Products Used:
pioneer thorens dual

Price Paid:  $160.00 from online auction

Summary:
I have a model 60C and 65C. The difference being the adjustable, string weighted antiskate on the 65C. These are both fine belt drive turntables and offer excellent value. Hands down better than anything I have use previously. They can occasionally be had for around $130-170 via an online auction. For the audiophile wannabe on a budget these are perfect. The tonearm by Ito is low mass and carbon fiber. A fine piece of work. These platters have the best auto-lift mechanism - it is actuated by a paddle closing off a light source as the arm nears the end of the LP. No mechanical linkage, springs or gears to muddy the sound. The VTA is adjustable via a set screw on the back of the base of the arm and is difficult to set properly and limited in range but can be done. Speed is adjustable or you can use the fixed setting. There is strobe dial on the top of the record weight. The arm lift is height adjustable. The platter and arm board assembly is supported by three fully adjustable springs. Capacitance loading is setable. All buttons are external to the cover. The autolift can be easily turned on and off. A cutoff (lift and stop) button is external to the cover also. Removable headshell allows for easy exchange of cartridges. A versatile and finely crafted TT.
I found I could drop the noise floor even further by covering the platter in sorbothane covered with a cork mat and by filling the inner portion of the underside of the metal platter with spray foam insulation.
At this price it cannot be beat.

Strengths:
Build quality, Good arm, belt Drive

Weaknesses:
No longer supported, VTA difficult to adjust

Similar Products Used:
Thorens 124, Mitsubishi LT-30, Rotel DD

Summary:
I have owned this turntable for many years and have been very happy with it. I originally purchased it because I was impressed with its build quality and demonstrated sound quality. Before this I had a Thorens and this is superior in many ways. It has a heavy record clamp, auto lift off, adjustable cartridge loading, adjustable speed and phono jacks on the back instead of the more common fixed cable. This allows you to use a good quality interconnect of your choice. I'm not technically astute when it comes to turntables but I can say this sounds cleaner than my previous Thorens (with same Ortofon LM-20 cart) and is built much better. It has served me faithfully for 15 years and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone (if you can find one). The only potentially serious drawback I would note involves the arm. I recently tried to align a shure M95ED on the tomearm using a Geodisk. I could not slide the cartridge far enough out in the screw slots to get the right overhang. My Ortofon installs fine with this arm but I could not get the right setup with the Shure. I give it four instead of five stars because the standard tonearm (a fine unit by the Japanese Ito company) doesn't seem to work with all carts as noted above and also lacks a VTA adjustment. But in all fairness VTA adjustment is not common in this price range.
When set up with the right cartridge I have been absoultely thrilled with this component. It's a keeper. If you want high end quality but lack a large checkbook, then find one of these used. You will not be disappointed.

Strengths:
Top shelf build quality. Nice tonearm.

Weaknesses:
No VTA adjustment. Headshell holes not long enough to allow
proper overhang adjustment on some cartridges.

Similar Products Used:
Thorens 166. AR-XA