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Repair or replace my

I have a Rabco ST-8 straight arm turntable, marketed as a harmon/kardon when they were still a real audio co. It is, to say the least, not a youngster; I purchased it in 1978., but it has always worked well. It currently is sporting a Signet TK7e cartridge that was installed in 1982 (yes, 1982).It has a few creaks and groans, which probably means it needs a new belt, lubrication, and some alignment to the arm, and the very thin fixed RCA cables need replacing. The issue is should I spend the money to fix it up, and upgrade the cartridge, or just get a new TT?
The prices for new TT's seem totally outrageous, or perhaps I'm just showing my age and how out of touch I am with the current audio market.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, any recommendations for a repair facility in the Los Angeles area?
pjsugar
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,766 posts
 
Yes, you are showing your age and yes, you are a bit out of touch especially when you start comparing turntable prices from 35 years ago without accounting for changes in technology and price levels.

The Rabco has the linear tracking tonearm, which tracks in a similar fashion to the way that records are cut. I am not sure what refurbishing the Rabco would cost, but if you are including the price of a new, decent level cartridge as part of the refurbish, you are looking at several hundred dollars minimum and it is still a 35 year old machine.

Are you just getting back into vinyl? If so, why not just get something brand new like a Pro-ject Carbon? $400 is your investment, $500 if you upgrade the platter.

Rich
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,306 posts
 
I used to own a TK7E cartridge

that was a long long long time ago

I also had a Sonus Blue

good luck with fixing the Rabco

I would not chase that dream myself

throwing good money after bad
chopin123
9 posts
 
If you like it,......Repair
casey33
260 posts
 
I agree with Chopin.I would start by getting an estimate on repair,and trying to figure out what cartridge would work,and for what price.My personal feeling is that what you could buy for $400-500 new would possibly look better (to some),yet likely not sound better.If you are in a large metropolitan area like L.A. used options should be abundant.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Unless you just enjoy making yourself miserable just buy a new Pro-ject Carbon or Rega P1 .
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