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Differences between AR-XA, XB, and The AR Turntable?

Treker

Treker

Super Member
I have been looking at belt drive turntables for sale on both my local Craigslist as well as on that big auction site. For the most part, I have been looking at the AR turntables, such as the AR-XA, XB, and The AR Turntable.

Personally, I like the aesthetics of The AR Turntable the best, and I like the fact that the XB has a cueing lever, so at this point I am leaning towards these two models. Although I have to admit that the real wood veneer on many of the earlier XA models is a point in their favor as well. I am not really a big fan of the vinyl on most of the XB models I have seen listed for sale. For me it really comes down to a combination of performance and aesthetics. So I am curious, is there much of a difference performance wise between these three turntables, or is it mostly just cosmetic and convenience differences that set them apart?
 
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I've owned the XA and XB models and the only thing that I recall being different were the cueing lever and the other differences that you point out. I used Shure V-15 III cartridges on both of them and they sounded just the same.
 
The dimensions are different too. An XA base and XB won't interchange. I have seen real wooden bases for the XB offered for sale on eBay and I think someone on AK makes and sells them too.
 
dosmalo said:
The dimensions are different too. An XA base and XB won't interchange. I have seen real wooden bases for the XB offered for sale on eBay and I think someone on AK makes and sells them too.
Click to expand...

AVFan is/has made some custom bases, Wes_in_Va has one in basic walnut.
The ones offered on that auction site from what I've heard from people who have looked/bought them mention the poor build quility, fit and finish.
 
I might also add: Use the google search on AK. There is an abundance of information and tips on both XA and XB tables. It is literally a treasure of information and most of it authored by marcmorin.

Woops! Didn't see you above me!
 
Treker said:
I have been looking at belt drive turntables for sale on both my local Craigslist as well as on that big auction site. For the most part, I have been looking at the AR turntables, such as the AR-XA, XB, and The AR Turntable.

Personally, I like the aesthetics of The AR Turntable the best, and I like the fact that the XB has a cueing lever, so at this point I am leaning towards these two models. Although I have to admit that the real wood veneer on many of the earlier XA models is a point in their favor as well. I am not really a big fan of the vinyl on most of the XB models I have seen listed for sale. For me it really comes down to a combination of performance and aesthetics. So I am curious, is there much of a difference performance wise between these three turntables, or is it mostly just cosmetic and convenience differences that set them apart?
Click to expand...

Other than the cueing device, the XB is sonically equal to the XA. The later EB-101 (second version) and TheTurntable are pretty much the same table with a different plinth shape. The TheTurntable is an easier arm upgrade path due to having an armboard system, although the XB arm once rebuilt properly will perform with/above most any arm a working man can afford. The XA/XB are a touch easier to properly tune. My main table is an ES-1 which is the next model up from a TheTurntable my XA doesn't take a back seat to it in playback.........both are heavily upgraded.
 
I have contacted a local CL seller about an AR-XA that he has for sale, but he said that I am second in line so my guess it that I won't get this one. He is asking $210, which appears to be in the ballpark price wise.

In any event, I like the looks of the "The AR Turntable" and the EB-1 and EB-101's the best , but I think that I am leaning towards the XB model due to the cueing lever and the lower cost. It looks like there are lots of these turntables being listed on "that auction site", so it is really only a matter of time before one comes along that I want to bid on. If I get lucky, maybe one will show up on my local Craigslist in the not too distant future.

By the way, I do have one more question. How easy is it to modify an XA or XB to accept an upgraded tone arm? Just curious mostly, as I can certainly see myself catching "upgraditis" once I get one of these.
 
Although I don't personally like XAs that have been "bastardized" with different arms, definitely it's to each person's desire. Many of them look great and perform great but I always go on record that a lot of an XA and XB's engineering is in the original arm as much as the chassis and subchassis. It has charm too.
There's quite a bit of modding of the subchassis and plinth top to accomodate a different arm. Vinylnirvana has a section on this that takes it step by step and is a good place to start.
The above preferences about modding with other than the original arm is just a personal thing. I think if I had an extra XA, I would probably experiment too.
 
Treker said:
By the way, I do have one more question. How easy is it to modify an XA or XB to accept an upgraded tone arm? Just curious mostly, as I can certainly see myself catching "upgraditis" once I get one of these.
Click to expand...

Easy is a subjective question. lots of work cutting the top plate, modifying the subchassis. The bigger question is what arm will outperform the original arm once upgraded? They can be converted to a bayonet type mount. Wes_in_Va has one. Contact him and see which of his other arms outperform his modded XB arm
 
I just pulled this off the shelf

It appears to be an unmodified TX (13103) I cannot see signs of disassembly or bastardization, but I could be wrong. Maybe you can help. Let me know if any of you AR experts need any more pictures.

The stamp on the inside rear of plinth appears to be "8803"

SN TX 13103
Grey Metal Top
Waxed Masonite Bottom
Solid Oiled Walnut (not veneer)
single motor / 2 speed

On closer inspection, there could have been two motors before???
 

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Was a two motor table but converted to single motor. Rarer early table with inset top plate in solid wood plinth. Deserves a complete restoration to bring it back to it's former glory.
 
kmelleby said:
It appears to be an unmodified TX (13103) I cannot see signs of disassembly or bastardization, but I could be wrong. Maybe you can help. Let me know if any of you AR experts need any more pictures.

The stamp on the inside rear of plinth appears to be "8803"

SN TX 13103
Grey Metal Top
Waxed Masonite Bottom
Solid Oiled Walnut (not veneer)
single motor / 2 speed

On closer inspection, there could have been two motors before???
Click to expand...

Correct, it was originally a two motor table, upgraded subchassis, arm, motor etc by AR at some point. Would have to have been upgraded after the release of the XB, because the subchassis is an XB. Ther is the mounting hole for the XB queing dvice. As SFrost mentions, a very early table due to how the top plate is mounted into instead of on top of the base.
nice find :thmbsp:
 
marcmorin said:
Correct, it was originally a two motor table, upgraded subchassis, arm, motor etc by AR at some point. Would have to have been upgraded after the release of the XB, because the subchassis is an XB. Ther is the mounting hole for the XB queing dvice. As SFrost mentions, a very early table due to how the top plate is mounted into instead of on top of the base.
nice find :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Wow, that one is even earlier than mine, probably a '62 or '63! Mine was originally a 2-motor AR-TX with the s/n in the 18000's .

Like yours, mine was apparently returned to the nearby AR factory in the '70s and fitted with a new motor and some XB parts.

Unlike yours, AR replaced the bottom plate and slapped a new "Norwood, MA" label on it, with the original serial number handwritten.



 
dosmalo said:
The dimensions are different too. An XA base and XB won't interchange. I have seen real wooden bases for the XB offered for sale on eBay and I think someone on AK makes and sells them too.
Click to expand...

I have an XB and an XA base on hand and the exterior dimensions are the same 12 9/16" x 16 9/16" and my XB dust cover fits both. Interior dimensions would be the same too as the XA base is made from 1/2" stock and the XB is 1/2" below the lip. Are we talking about the height of the base? Those look the same to me too.
 
marcmorin said:
AVFan is/has made some custom bases, Wes_in_Va has one in basic walnut.
The ones offered on that auction site from what I've heard from people who have looked/bought them mention the poor build quility, fit and finish.
Click to expand...

I'll always take advantage of the opportunity to show off that Walnut base that AVFan made:

attachment.php


(One day I'll get around to polishing the platter...)
 
AvFan said:
I have an XB and an XA base on hand and the exterior dimensions are the same 12 9/16" x 16 9/16" and my XB dust cover fits both. Interior dimensions would be the same too as the XA base is made from 1/2" stock and the XB is 1/2" below the lip. Are we talking about the height of the base? Those look the same to me too.
Click to expand...

Might recheck the interior dimentions again. As the spring perch near the front of the XB table has to be made a smaller diameter to clear the inside of the front plate. Or, it may be that AR shifted everything forward some in the top plate, I never checked that.
 
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