Have both a ST 7 and ST 8 and both working-rebuilt by me. The ST 7 was problematic since the drive wheel on the arm drive shaft had a gum rubber wheel which disintegrated probably withing ten years. I replaced mine with a neoprene rubber VCR wheel made a few adjustments and never had another problem in twenty years. They are a little touchy with the automatic pick-up and shut off. The ST 8 is superior machine with a carbon fiber arm drive wheel and and extra belt to propel the arm. I use this one as my daily driver and use it to transfer my vinyl to CD with a Shure M3D cart at 3 gms (for mono LP's and early stereo). I have lots of TT's including Thorens 124's, multiple Empires, Gray's and Rek-O Kuts but I like the HK ST 8 the best since there is virtually no tracking error. They were probably the best linear machines made-better that the B&O and as good as the Rabco and Revox.
H/K - Rabco ST-8
Had one if these in mid 80s until about 2003. Tbh it sat after about 1990 unusec eventually banished to a damp basement. I did a quick refurb and sold it on eBay for $399 or so with a mid level, old Grado cartridge. I will never go back to vinyl (sound was fine but DO high maintenance and tonearm balancing, fragility, wtc. I was DO glad to switch to CDs and now streaming.
However that black ST-8 was just about the most beautiful, coolest, piece of industrial design I have ever seen to this day. Even those recessed lights were one-of-a-kind. But was it any good? How would it sound now, all refurbed with a good cartridge? Why didn't linear tracking persist?
However that black ST-8 was just about the most beautiful, coolest, piece of industrial design I have ever seen to this day. Even those recessed lights were one-of-a-kind. But was it any good? How would it sound now, all refurbed with a good cartridge? Why didn't linear tracking persist?