Another AR-XA question...
- Thread starter jonm
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The springs may be worn out so don’t get too concerned before replacing them. There are a few threads, as well as the ‘official AR’ thread which discuss this. Marc Morin (RIP) discussed this extensively. Replacing my springs with Linn springs and adding lead weights to balance the suspension have each spring compressed to about 32mm if I remember correctly.
And yes, you are correct that the suspension is very soft. That’s part of the charm of the XA.
And yes, you are correct that the suspension is very soft. That’s part of the charm of the XA.
tube-a-lou
Addicted Member
I have the ARXA and really like it, the problem was with mine when I got the balance
right with a bubble level it would bounce all over the place. Go on youtube and check
out how those Linn Sondek people adjust those springs. In the mean time remove
all the grommets and spring's and clean them, the top grommet's are glued on the
subchassis so carefully remove them and clean them up, also see if you could get
some metal washers because in my case those nut's with the little teeth dig into the
rubber and this it a important part when you get it balanced you have to turn the spring
so you have a perfect piston motion up and down, you kinda have to turn each spring
where they all bounce up and down even. Sorry about the long post but I hope this helps.
right with a bubble level it would bounce all over the place. Go on youtube and check
out how those Linn Sondek people adjust those springs. In the mean time remove
all the grommets and spring's and clean them, the top grommet's are glued on the
subchassis so carefully remove them and clean them up, also see if you could get
some metal washers because in my case those nut's with the little teeth dig into the
rubber and this it a important part when you get it balanced you have to turn the spring
so you have a perfect piston motion up and down, you kinda have to turn each spring
where they all bounce up and down even. Sorry about the long post but I hope this helps.
For the most satisfactory results you should just replace them with new springs which are adjustable with wing nuts. The new ones are stronger and way better at preventing tonearm bounce from footfalls nearby. If I recall correctly about $50 is all it takes to acquire them. There are several vendors, mostly on eBay, who offer them. You can adjust those old spring until kingdom come and still not succeed. I consider this a must mod for any XA/B. If you were restoring a vintage automobile, new shocks would be part of the process. Same principle here.
crazy eights
Bad Moon Bopster
i repost this occasionally, marcs' answer to this frequently asked question
- and as stated above - new correct springs never hurt,,,,,,
from marc -
"for setting the suspension, you must make sure the base is level first. run a level across the front and both sides of the base. level as needed. set a bubble level on the subplatter in line with the spindle and arm post. turn the spring perches as needed, check jounce, and centering of arm in top plate. If level, and poor jounce, or not centered well hold the spring perch and turn the spring 1/8th turn at a time. Start with the arm end spring. test jounce after each time. move to the spring nearest the motor, repeat. then to the front spring. arm should be center of top plate hole, jounce should be an even up/down only movement."
- and as stated above - new correct springs never hurt,,,,,,
from marc -
"for setting the suspension, you must make sure the base is level first. run a level across the front and both sides of the base. level as needed. set a bubble level on the subplatter in line with the spindle and arm post. turn the spring perches as needed, check jounce, and centering of arm in top plate. If level, and poor jounce, or not centered well hold the spring perch and turn the spring 1/8th turn at a time. Start with the arm end spring. test jounce after each time. move to the spring nearest the motor, repeat. then to the front spring. arm should be center of top plate hole, jounce should be an even up/down only movement."
gkimeng
Forum Mod, ClassicSpeakerPages.net
At the original factory setting the platter should be 1/8" above the top deck at rest with both a mat and a record on it, and if you give it a light nudge it should oscillate at 3 Hz. As long as the oscillation frequency is right and the platter never hits the deck there's no need to replace the springs unless you change the suspended mass.
As stated above 3 hz is the correct frequency, but counting 3 bounces is harder to do that it seams. also there will still be more movement after the main 3 bounces.
Also the original AR's did bounce some, Not as much as my SOTA sapphire and that hardly ever skips on my bouncy floors.
So asking the OP, do you have suspended floors that the TT is on? If yes the two suspensions, the floor and TT will not play nice together.
You may try placing it near a foundation supported wall or better yet add a wall shelf to that foundation supported wall.
Athanasios
Also the original AR's did bounce some, Not as much as my SOTA sapphire and that hardly ever skips on my bouncy floors.
So asking the OP, do you have suspended floors that the TT is on? If yes the two suspensions, the floor and TT will not play nice together.
You may try placing it near a foundation supported wall or better yet add a wall shelf to that foundation supported wall.
Athanasios