Ar-Xa tonearm rebuild

[James Cox]

Since I've gotten caught up on most of my projects I decided to finally look into rebuilding the neglected Ar-Xa turntable ive had on my bench for a little over a year. Does anyone here know if there's anybody currently rebuilding the tonearms like Marc Morin used to? I'd love to have my pivot points and bearings upgraded, new tonearm wire, and maybe swap out the wand with a Technics wand for easier cartridge swapping. I'm comfortable with the rest of the restoration (spindle bearing, motor cleaning, possible suspension upgrade, and new belt) but not sure if I can fix up the tonearm like I'm wanting without a big headache.

 

[Hose53]

there's a few folks here that can help you out!
Myself I'm not committing to anything until I get some high priority items that have been with me too long. My Dad passing along with Marc's and a number of close cousins and uncle bothered me more that I thought they would. Finally getting moving and am focusing on that.

 

[Roger Gorke]

there's a few folks here that can help you out!
Myself I'm not committing to anything until I get some high priority items that have been with me too long. My Dad passing along with Marc's and a number of close cousins and uncle bothered me more that I thought they would. Finally getting moving and am focusing on that.

Sorry to hear about all the losses in your life...

 

[Roger Gorke]

Since I've gotten caught up on most of my projects I decided to finally look into rebuilding the neglected Ar-Xa turntable ive had on my bench for a little over a year. Does anyone here know if there's anybody currently rebuilding the tonearms like Marc Morin used to? I'd love to have my pivot points and bearings upgraded, new tonearm wire, and maybe swap out the wand with a Technics wand for easier cartridge swapping. I'm comfortable with the rest of the restoration (spindle bearing, motor cleaning, possible suspension upgrade, and new belt) but not sure if I can fix up the tonearm like I'm wanting without a big headache.

There are quite a few really good threads on implementing Marc's upgrades. Lots of guys here will be able to to chime in and help. It really isn't to difficult to do many of the key upgrades.

This thread is one of the most comprehensive.

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/i...able-rebuild-my-first-and-need-advice.785975/

 

[James Cox]

Yeah that's rough man, glad things are starting to look up for you though

 

[MsJazzMaven]

After finally setting up my new Onkyo RZ50, I went to play a record, lowered the tonearm into the groove and started the motor. The tonearm started floating on top of the grooves, moving right across them to the spindle. In addition, the set screw for my counterweight fell behind my media cabinet, which is too heavy to move. Just ordered a new complete assembly on Ebay. BTW, before the remodel of my top shelf, my precious Xa, which worked perfectly, went overboard, falling down the stairs. Everything on it survived, but the tracking. I leveled the shelf during construction and the turntable afterwards with a bubble level and the app on my phone. Still not tracking. Help!

 

[Hose53]

Ouch! So sorry to hear that.
Are you sure the stylus is OK?
Set screw, if you need one let me know I have a supply of those.
Tonearm wire, is it the way it was when it worked properly before it took a tumble.

 

[Hose53]

Since I've gotten caught up on most of my projects I decided to finally look into rebuilding the neglected Ar-Xa turntable ive had on my bench for a little over a year. Does anyone here know if there's anybody currently rebuilding the tonearms like Marc Morin used to? I'd love to have my pivot points and bearings upgraded, new tonearm wire, and maybe swap out the wand with a Technics wand for easier cartridge swapping. I'm comfortable with the rest of the restoration (spindle bearing, motor cleaning, possible suspension upgrade, and new belt) but not sure if I can fix up the tonearm like I'm wanting without a big headache.

Hi James,
Your original post is from Jan 12 of this year. Are you still needing work on your tonearm? AKer StuartB and I worked with Marc to get up to speed with his upgrades.

 

[Hose53]

After finally setting up my new Onkyo RZ50, I went to play a record, lowered the tonearm into the groove and started the motor. The tonearm started floating on top of the grooves, moving right across them to the spindle. In addition, the set screw for my counterweight fell behind my media cabinet, which is too heavy to move. Just ordered a new complete assembly on Ebay. BTW, before the remodel of my top shelf, my precious Xa, which worked perfectly, went overboard, falling down the stairs. Everything on it survived, but the tracking. I leveled the shelf during construction and the turntable afterwards with a bubble level and the app on my phone. Still not tracking. Help!

So very sorry for your mishap!
Welcome to us, happy to have you on board!
You might want to start a new thread that will focus on your table and issues. There are many people who can offer advice

 

[convivialist]

Ouch! So sorry to hear that.
Are you sure the stylus is OK?
Set screw, if you need one let me know I have a supply of those.
Tonearm wire, is it the way it was when it worked properly before it took a tumble.

Might you have an originalAR XA tonearm screw available for my XA?

 

[Hose53]

Might you have an originalAR XA tonearm screw available for my XA?

Tonearm screw for the ground wire or counterweight? Yes on both. If you follow the link from Roger for an AR rebuild you'll see a number of posts by Marc Morin. He covered many of those mods with fellow AKer, StuartB and I. As Roger mentioned there are many here who can respond to any questions you may have.
If you are looking for an original slotted screw for the counterweight I do have those available although Marc moved away from those in favor of the a Hex head set screw.

 

[gkimeng]

For a while I was rebuilding tables and arms out of bits and pieces just for fun, selling and trading the completed ones for more bits and pieces. But I was never the person to go to for mods, just restoring originals.

 

[James Cox]

Hi James,
Your original post is from Jan 12 of this year. Are you still needing work on your tonearm? AKer StuartB and I worked with Marc to get up to speed with his upgrades.

I do! I had alot of personal problems pop up over the last year or so but have finally got everything back in order and ready to take on some projects. The AR is the first project I want to mess with.

 

[Hose53]

Conversation

Sorry to hear about all the losses in your life...

Thank you so much Roger!

 

[Hose53]

I do! I had alot of personal problems pop up over the last year or so but have finally got everything back in order and ready to take on some projects. The AR is the first project I want to mess with.

Hi James, will send you a pm and will include Stuart

 

[convivialist]

Tonearm screw for the ground wire or counterweight? Yes on both. If you follow the link from Roger for an AR rebuild you'll see a number of posts by Marc Morin. He covered many of those mods with fellow AKer, StuartB and I. As Roger mentioned there are many here who can respond to any questions you may have.
If you are looking for an original slotted screw for the counterweight I do have those available although Marc moved away from those in favor of the a Hex head set screw.

Thank you! Actually, I’m looking for the screw that secures the tonearm pivot point. I’ve made one by grinding a point onto a screw with the correct thread. Seems to work. Was wondering: should I just use it as is or find an original?

 

[Jalousie]

I have a experience with ARs but I think this is the first I've heard of that pointed set screw missing from an arm. It's not like it can fall out by itself. Finding an original might take buying an old arm or a whole XA/XB for parts.

 

[Hose53]

Thank you! Actually, I’m looking for the screw that secures the tonearm pivot point. I’ve made one by grinding a point onto a screw with the correct thread. Seems to work. Was wondering: should I just use it as is or find an original?

Per Marc's methods we normal polish the point of those pivot screws to help reduce friction. Originals are very hard to come by as one would need a donor table. I should have one sitting here.
Oftentimes those slots will get trash when trying to remove them and the screws are being stubborn.
I suppose if your fix is working stay with it. I am not the engineer that can talk about how it might compare to an original one.
I'll look for one here, and feel free to reach out to remind me as I have few projects going

 

[convivialist]

Per Marc's methods we normal polish the point of those pivot screws to help reduce friction. Originals are very hard to come by as one would need a donor table. I should have one sitting here.
Oftentimes those slots will get trash when trying to remove them and the screws are being stubborn.
I suppose if your fix is working stay with it. I am not the engineer that can talk about how it might compare to an original one.
I'll look for one here, and feel free to reach out to remind me as I have few projects going

Thank you! I’ll check in to see if you find one.