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AR XB Tonearm Upgrade

Ok, it's now been two weeks of minor tweaking and dialing in. I have done lots of listening too.

I have slowly carried out some advice from Marc and each step has improved the sound, the summation of the steps had proven to be significant.

First, removed the bottom board and elevated the table about 2 inches above the table top. I used a combination of cork, hockey pucks and sorbothane pads to make four 2 inch higher risers to use as feet to set the table base on. Under the table I placed a piece of carpet to absorb any reflecting waves. Real sound absorbing material might be better but everything I used was laying around my basement somewhere. The improvement was significant. The sorbothane pads was really beneficial, adding the pucks was even better.

The second tweak was replacing the felt pad with leather. Again a subtle improvement, better bass and clearer highs. Never liked that felt pad anyway. The leather looks great too.

The third was adding a Marcmorin designed and fabricated headshell to cartridge damping and coupling plate. This little sucker really opened up the top end. Notes ring longer and clearer. Now the sound has a similar character to my moving coil and it kept the great bass and midrange too. The soundstage is even more 3D. The VTA looks great when using this coupler plate in conjunction with the leather mat, that is likely a factor.

So now it's significantly better than that first day that I installed the upgraded arm. Everything is dialed in and adjusted properly. I cannot believe the sound I'm getting for the small cost. Such comfortable sound. :tresbon:

I am done tweaking this table for awhile but I expect to resume the project in the winter with a full upgrade to plinth, suspension, etc.

Right now I'll just kick back and spin vinyl. :music:


Cheers, Bob
 
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Glad you took this in the various steps to "see" each change in articulation of the cartridge. This is addition by subtraction. Subtract the things that introduce their own small amount of counter productive, minute vibrations.
 
marcmorin said:
Glad you took this in the various steps to "see" each change in articulation of the cartridge. This is addition by subtraction. Subtract the things that introduce their own small amount of counter productive, minute vibrations.
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Right on Marc.

Not only that, but I applied what I was hearing and learning on the XB to my Thorens rig and improved performance on that table as well.
 
marcmorin said:
Damn :scratch2:............ shoulda charged ya twice:sigh:

:smoke:

:D
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Think of it as good audio karma. :yes:

My Thorens likes your leather mat a lot. It actually made more of a difference on the Thorens than on the AR. So, when you get more mats in stock PM me. A black one would be nice. :thmbsp:
 
bobins08 said:
Think of it as good audio karma. :yes:

My Thorens likes your leather mat a lot. It actually made more of a difference on the Thorens than on the AR. So, when you get more mats in stock PM me. A black one would be nice. :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

actually it would like 1/32-1/16" open cell foam, like furnace filter, under the deer hide on the Thorens. :thmbsp:

Karma :yes:
 
Alas, the AR XB must go back to it's owner. I thought I was going to be able to buy it but he's hanging on to it. But it's been a delightful machine to work on. So, I'll find an XA with arm issues and install an alternate arm when one can be had. So my Pioneer PL 518 is back in it's living room slot.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Alas, the AR XB must go back to it's owner. I thought I was going to be able to buy it but he's hanging on to it. But it's been a delightful machine to work on. So, I'll find an XA with arm issues and install an alternate arm when one can be had. So my Pioneer PL 518 is back in it's living room slot.
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Kent, sorry to hear that the XB had to go. If there is one point that I hope comes out of this thread is that an alternate arm is not needed unless you have very, very, very high expectations (and budget). I believe the upgraded (by Marc) AR arm will compete way above its price range.

I hope you can find another AR soon. :thmbsp:
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Alas, the AR XB must go back to it's owner. I thought I was going to be able to buy it but he's hanging on to it. But it's been a delightful machine to work on. So, I'll find an XA with arm issues and install an alternate arm when one can be had. So my Pioneer PL 518 is back in it's living room slot.
Click to expand...

yer gonna need to spend a shitload of money to get an arm to outperform a properly functioning XA arm.......just my 2 cents, and a few bucks thrown in.
 
I am just starting work on a two motor AR XA. Can anyone tell me the value of the capacitor on the switch? The labeling is only partly legible, but it looks like .047mfd. Is this correct? I've seen different values mentioned on AK. Also, what type? Mylar? Poly?

thanks

Jim
 
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