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AR XA Arm Replacement Sourcing?

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DijonMaster

Active Member
Hi! Long story short, I have an AR XA at home that I restored. After seeing it, my mom wanted the same one to play her old records on, so I found a broken one on Craigslist and fixed it up for her.

The issue is that the guy who owned the thing somehow stripped his headshell. I used the electrical tape trick and it's been holding, but I don't trust it to last too long.

Replacement headshells are $50+, so I thought it'd be a good idea to replace my tonearm tube for an SME compatible one and just give my mom my non-stripped headshell.

The only issue is that I can't seem to find a tonearm for less than $100. That was for the Technics SL-D2. Does anyone have any suggestions of compatible tonarms that are cheaper?
 
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A bit of project as you’ll have to compensate for the weight of the AR’s arm weight on the table’s suspension without altering the balance of the platter.
Unless you prepared to take on the labor, you may want to look for a lower cost table that’s complete and ready to go and steer clear of the AR. Besides the AR’s arm could present issues with its damping and mechanical delicacy. I assume practicality is the operative word here as ease of operation is paramount.
Otherwise, plan on research and time consumption in finding something more appropriate. Elevated costs are a component of high fidelity be it vintage or new hi-end and that's directly proportional to the desired level of fidelity. You'll benefit from doing the research first of course. Just be discerning as there are many self-proclaimed experts lurking everywhere.
FM





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frankmarsi said:
A bit of project as you’ll have to compensate for the weight of the AR’s arm weight on the table’s suspension without altering the balance of the platter.
Unless you prepared to take on the labor, you may want to look for a lower cost table that’s complete and ready to go and steer clear of the AR. Besides the AR’s arm could present issues with its damping and mechanical delicacy. I assume practicality is the operative word here as ease of operation is paramount.
Otherwise, plan on research and time consumption in finding something more appropriate. Elevated costs are a component of high fidelity be it vintage or new hi-end and that's directly proportional to the desired level of fidelity. You'll benefit from doing the research first of course. Just be discerning as there are many self-proclaimed experts lurking everywhere.
FM





37
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Thank you for the response! Both AR's work. It's just the one whose headshell is stripped. If it's a huge huge undertaking, maybe I'll just buy her a new headshell.

I've seen some people saying that certain technics arms are easy swaps, but not sure if they need to adjust the weight.
 
Not sure if space is a consideration, but you could look on Craigslist for a broken Technics turntable with a good arm and then use the recommendations on the AK threads on installing it on the AR. Of course, if you do that and your mother likes it, then you would have to find another Technics arm, so she could have an AR turntable with a Technics arm, too.
 
It is a lot of work to mount an independant arm on an AR, and the arm will probably cost more than a replacement headshell.
I may be wrong, but I suspect your mother won't be swapping cartridges frequently, so a single AR headshell, plastic threads and all, will probably be the only one she ever needs.
I'm impressed that your mother cares enough about audio to want a turntable, and that she is discerning enough to want an AR rather than a Crossley or some other abomination.
 
One option - replace the AR arm tube with a Technics arm tube on one of the tables. You would need to rewire and reconnect the tube, and use a standard SME type of headshell. It gives you more headshell and cartridge options down the road. It is at least a different path than finding a new AR style headshell.
 
I don't see any value in replacing the entire tonearm, especially for a novice, it more than likely will not perform properly. A reproduction headshell is the way to go, it will then be the way the original designers intended it to be.

As for swapping cartridges in that turntable, just install a good one and be happy with it.
 
sound hound said:
Not sure if space is a consideration, but you could look on Craigslist for a broken Technics turntable with a good arm and then use the recommendations on the AK threads on installing it on the AR. Of course, if you do that and your mother likes it, then you would have to find another Technics arm, so she could have an AR turntable with a Technics arm, too.
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Yeah, I'm gonna keep my eyes out for a technics just in case. She doesn't really want mods done to hers, so it'd just be mine.
 
Nat said:
It is a lot of work to mount an independant arm on an AR, and the arm will probably cost more than a replacement headshell.
I may be wrong, but I suspect your mother won't be swapping cartridges frequently, so a single AR headshell, plastic threads and all, will probably be the only one she ever needs.
I'm impressed that your mother cares enough about audio to want a turntable, and that she is discerning enough to want an AR rather than a Crossley or some other abomination.
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I'd just be swapping the arm tube, not mounting another arm.

I won't lie to you, I think she just really liked the look of mine. She got back into record collecting because I found my AR and was playing stuff. When I moved out and took it with me, she wanted her own.
 
StuartB said:
One option - replace the AR arm tube with a Technics arm tube on one of the tables. You would need to rewire and reconnect the tube, and use a standard SME type of headshell. It gives you more headshell and cartridge options down the road. It is at least a different path than finding a new AR style headshell.
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Yeah, that's what I'm planning to do. The issue is that the arm tubes themselves are like $100.
 
The AR XA is a classic and worth the effort.. BUT it is not easy to swap out that arm tube. It's a lot of tedious work. Not to mention cost. The entire arm has to be rewired and that by itself is a huge PITA. You might as well replace the bearings and polish everything under a microscope while you are in there. Then there is balancing, damping, and the list goes on. It's a real labor of love.

Forget finding a Technnics arm for cheap. It will never happen. Now days anything with the word "Technics" on it is going for well over $100, even broken and not working PLUS shipping and tax. It's ridiculous.

For the record (pun intended) I have 2 AR XA's. One of them I got because the PO tried to replace the arm tube! Just buy a new head shell for now, enjoy the tunes and plan your upgrades for a later date. It's a great table
 
I rewired and modded mine to have internal RCA ports, so I'm not a stranger ro rewiring. It is kind of ridiculous how expensive a Technics arm tube it.
Old-School said:
The AR XA is a classic and worth the effort.. BUT it is not easy to swap out that arm tube. It's a lot of tedious work. Not to mention cost. The entire arm has to be rewired and that by itself is a huge PITA. You might as well replace the bearings and polish everything under a microscope while you are in there. Then there is balancing, damping, and the list goes on. It's a real labor of love.

Forget finding a Technnics arm for cheap. It will never happen. Now days anything with the word "Technics" on it is going for well over $100, even broken and not working PLUS shipping and tax. It's ridiculous.

For the record (pun intended) I have 2 AR XA's. One of them I got because the PO tried to replace the arm tube! Just buy a new head shell for now, enjoy the tunes and plan your upgrades for a later date. It's a great table
Click to expand...
 
DijonMaster said:
Hi! Long story short, I have an AR XA at home that I restored. After seeing it, my mom wanted the same one to play her old records on, so I found a broken one on Craigslist and fixed it up for her.

The issue is that the guy who owned the thing somehow stripped his headshell. I used the electrical tape trick and it's been holding, but I don't trust it to last too long.

Replacement headshells are $50+, so I thought it'd be a good idea to replace my tonearm tube for an SME compatible one and just give my mom my non-stripped headshell.

The only issue is that I can't seem to find a tonearm for less than $100. That was for the Technics SL-D2. Does anyone have any suggestions of compatible tonarms that are cheaper?
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Hi,
sending a conversation. I have some more affordable AR head shells and Technics SL-220 arms
 
Why does it need to be a technics arm tube?

Old-School said:
The entire arm has to be rewired
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If a donor arm tube comes with the wiring why does the entire arm need to be rewired?

I haven’t had an AR turntable in the house since my brother went to college with his bought new machine he paid $69 + change and tax for decades ago.

So can other arm tubes be used? And can that donor arm come with wiring to avoid having to rewire the arm? Are there special considerations for this arm tube? I ask because there are thousands of tables out there which could possibly be arm tube donors, even automatic tables as the rest of the tonearm assembly shouldn’t be needed. Many might have a dead Japanese auto table in their parts bin.
 
Good questions
Marc exclusively used the SL-220 tube. While I have seen some folks in AK say that any Technics tube will work they do not. I have one Technics tube sitting here that in no way is nearly the same. They are not all the same length, diameter or have the same angles. Investing in tables or arms looking for ones that work can be time consuming and has a cost to it.
I prefer to use the same arm Marc used.
As for why to rewire, I don't have the specifics but the wiring of the AR heads shell compared to the SME is different. Rewiring you have a better assessment or assurance that it is soldered well and no weak connections. Also Marc used shrink wrap at the connections and would also damp the tube. We pretty much do as Marc did, there is a reason he is so highly regarded with the AR upgrades.

Edit: not shrink wrap but heat shrink tubing
 
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The SL-220 can be found, just have to be patient. Actually if anyone can use an SL-220 carcass for parts I have a number of them available. They are just missing the wand and collars
 
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