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Acoustic Research AR XB problem (with video)

M

MaxTessier

New Member
Hi all, first time I post something here

I recently got my father's HK-930 receiver and AR Xb turntable. Everything works great after 35 years on a shelf (after new filter caps on the harman kardon and a little of oil on the XB)

I just received a new record that creates a big problem. It's seems to be a heavier record. It make that table unstable and make sounds like it's going to explode. I have another record that creates something similar but not that crazy... Please help!

Here's a video with no record, regular record, and that new problematic one

Many thanks! :)

 
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The springs have weakened over time, the plater is hitting the motor with the heaver record, the plater height can be adjusted, several places for instructionson this forum and the web
 
Ok wow thanks for the quick reply! Any specific link i should refer to? I has never been opened so it still have these big staples holding the bottom part…
 
miles2002 said:
Vinyl nirvana sells a replacement spring kit for the XB, the problem with trying to adjust the springs is if it has never been opened there is a good probability the nuts are rusted on the studs, but you could get lucky. https://vinylnirvana.com/product/upgrade-spring-kit-for-ar-turntables-xa-xb-xb-77

another tip use the lightest mat possible, I use a dear skin on one, cork on the other
Click to expand...
ok perfect, I'll see if they still turn first. What gap should I be aiming for (with leather mat on the platter only, no record)?
 
miles2002 said:
Vinyl nirvana sells a replacement spring kit for the XB, the problem with trying to adjust the springs is if it has never been opened there is a good probability the nuts are rusted on the studs, but you could get lucky. https://vinylnirvana.com/product/upgrade-spring-kit-for-ar-turntables-xa-xb-xb-77

another tip use the lightest mat possible, I use a dear skin on one, cork on the other
Click to expand...
This post gets to the heart of the matter. Those springs on your AR-XB have sagged. Time for new replacement springs, the spring kit from Vinyl Nirvana is what I recommend for this problem.
 
Hi guys, thanks so much for your help. I decided to give it a try tonight. I removed the bottom panel and gave 1 turn to each nut/spring. There was a bit of rust but not too much. The platter sits now 1/8" over the bottom casing when the heavy record is on top. Everything seems to work perfectly, for light and heavy record! Free repair, half an hour of fun! It's awesome to have members like you willing to help! cheers!

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That's interesting - I didn't realize that the XB has the top plate recessed in the plinth. The X and XA have the top plate on top of the wood plinth, which gives a lot more clearance. I think people are used to the height of the original models and don't think it looks right when the suspension is jacked up a 1/16 of an inch to compensate for the lip.
 
Sorry, late to the party. Yes the spring adjustment ought to address your issue, the platter was riding too low. You want to try to adjust the springs so you get an even bounce across the three points. Regarding that bottom panel…..leave it off. Our friend Marc Morin always removed them as he felt it added unneeded resonance to the operation. Glad you found a simple fix.
 
Something else to keep in mind, if you use a carbon fiber brush on the record as it spins, an 1/8" may not be enough of a gap to keep from pushing down on the platter and it hitting on the motor spindle. I think I have my platter set at a 1/4" gap so this doesn't happen.
 
The AR-XB is nice, it was my first hifi turntable. Because the motor isn't very strong, giving the platter some slight help rotating when starting is advisable - a little push to get it started.
 
I recall trying an audiophile mat on my XB, and it was too heavy and caused this problem. Couldn't use the mat with the tt.
 
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