If you own a stock AR-XA, AR-XB, etc...

I notice when I put the pulley on the motor if the pulley is too low then the t-bar will bounce and make a clunk clunk clunk sound but when I pull it up higher on the motor shaft then it settles down and runs fine. My question is, is there a specific pulley height on these tables?
 
I've been reading a lot of threads about the AR XA table here and on other sites. I notice people talking about the screw under the arm tube going into the arm pivot body. Mine doesn't have one, I am guessing mine is a very late model, would that be correct?. Also my arm pivot body has a tiny little lean to the right, there is a super small amount of wiggle. Is that normal? When playing a record I can lean the pivot the other way making the azimuth true but I'm guess there should be no wiggle at all.
 
Last edited:
inperson said:
I've been reading a lot of threads about the AR XA table here and on other sites. I notice people talking about the screw under the arm tube going into the arm pivot body. Mine doesn't have one, I am guessing mine is a very late model, would that be correct?. Also my arm pivot body has a tiny little lean to the right, there is a super small amount of wiggle. Is that normal? When playing a record I can lean the pivot the other way making the VTA true but I'm guess there should be no wiggle at all.
Click to expand...
If you have the XB type pivot block, the overhang set screw is most likely on the right side of the pivot block at the front.. The lean can be from original assembly when screwing the pivot pins into the delrin bearing material, they didn't get it centered very well. Quite common on the XB type arms
 
marcmorin said:
If you have the XB type pivot block, the overhang set screw is most likely on the right side of the pivot block at the front.. The lean can be from original assembly when screwing the pivot pins into the delrin bearing material, they didn't get it centered very well. Quite common on the XB type arms
Click to expand...

Okay, I see what you are talking about.

My arm is just like this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AR-XA-tonearm/332691220273?hash=item4d75f12731:g:KL0AAOSwm8NbKPtw

So the slight lean isn't anything to fret over?
332691220273
 
Keep in mind the XA during its lifetime had a couple of changes to its arm, including the removal of the damping mechanism in the later years. (Mine is one of those)
 
marcthisdate said:
Keep in mind the XA during its lifetime had a couple of changes to its arm, including the removal of the damping mechanism in the later years. (Mine is one of those)
Click to expand...

Yeah, mine seems to be that way also. I'm getting to think mine was the last off the assembly line.:idea:
 
Last edited:
inperson said:
Yeah, mine seems to be that way also. I getting to think mine was the last off the assembly line.:idea:
Click to expand...
Me too. When I bought mine about a year ago, it was in pretty good shape. The base was the vinyl one and not peeling, the metal plinth was the black mottled style but it did not have any scratches and it was not all gummed up. Maybe having a later unit is a good thing? But alas the upgrade bug did bite me and as everything on this turnable is fairly easy to work on, things like changing out the base was a breeze so it now has a solid Walnut base. ;)
 
marcthisdate said:
Me too. When I bought mine about a year ago, it was in pretty good shape. The base was the vinyl one and not peeling, the metal plinth was the black mottled style but it did not have any scratches and it was not all gummed up. Maybe having a later unit is a good thing? But alas the upgrade bug did bite me and as everything on this turnable is fairly easy to work on, things like changing out the base was a breeze so it now has a solid Walnut base. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did the same thing. Mine's not solid it's the walnut veneer but still looks way better than that cheap vinyl veneer. I needed to paint my top and I'm happy to say it turned out perfect.

I always had heavy mass turntables, tables that relied on heft rather than spring loading. Then a few years ago I got a Pioneer PL 50, which is spring loaded, and I found the sound so nice. A few weeks ago something made me read about AR XA tables and I remembered I saw one many, many years ago at a market in Shenzhen, China and it was so bouncy. Back then I thought it was ridiculous, now I know better. I started looking on ebay and found a seller willing to take a few more pictures for me and I bought it. No regrets. But for such a simple table I have been fidgeting with it a lot. I wanna do what I can do first and play with it, then have Marc do his stuff.
 
Last edited:
I just recently got an AR XA about two months ago. I bought it from a guy in Kalamazoo MI and have been waiting on other projects to be finished before I divided into restoring some of the things on the AR. I have been researching on all the things that can be done to this turntable and I'm really looking forward to getting started. I am curious how to figure out what year my AR XA was made? I see the serial number on the bottom cover. Any help would be appreciated. I know at some point I would like to send it to marc for some upgrades.
 
TurboKid said:
I just recently got an AR XA about two months ago. I bought it from a guy in Kalamazoo MI and have been waiting on other projects to be finished before I divided into restoring some of the things on the AR. I have been researching on all the things that can be done to this turntable and I'm really looking forward to getting started. I am curious how to figure out what year my AR XA was made? I see the serial number on the bottom cover. Any help would be appreciated. I know at some point I would like to send it to marc for some upgrades.
Click to expand...

What is the number?
 
The serial number is XA156945, Which from the thread marcthisdate pointed me to it is possible that it was made in the late 60's probably 68 or 69.
 
Last edited:
TurboKid said:
The serial number is XA156945, Which from the thread marcthisdate pointed me to it is possible that it was made in the late 60's probably 68 or 69.
Click to expand...

That's pretty late in the run, probably 71-72. If you look on the inside of the plinth, or the motor, you might very well find a stamped date. Might be faint so look with a strong light if possible.
 
Nashou66 said:
I too find the AR XA with mods rivaling and if not beating the SOTA. Only in Complete footfall isolation does the SOTA win hands down, you can't get that table to skip. But the self modded AR sounds soooo good. The Vee jewel bearings and sapphire tonearm thrust plate bearing combo is what really did it. Linn Springs with mass loading helped with isolation from foot falls more than the stock spring set up, but not to the level of the SOTA Sapphire. But all in all for a third of what I paid for the SOTA the AR kicks ass !!!! I have two more to modify, I probably will try to sell on locally if I dont fall in love with them. Thats my trouble I work on vintage gear then cant let them go.

Oh, and I also added a SME type collar for head shells and use a Yamamato Bass wood head shell. A must if you like to swap carts.


Athanasios
Click to expand...
looking to do the swiss jewel Mod (delrin replacement ) on my ar-xa turntable - anyone recall the recommended size to order ? thanks in advance
 
S Swanson said:
looking to do the swiss jewel Mod (delrin replacement ) on my ar-xa turntable - anyone recall the recommended size to order ? thanks in advance
Click to expand...
StuartB and I worked with Marc to help him finish some work and have continued his work where we can.
Sending you a conversation, we recently ordered some jewel bearings
 
Hose53 said:
StuartB and I worked with Marc to help him finish some work and have continued his work where we can.
Sending you a conversation, we recently ordered some jewel bearings
Click to expand...
So you have some available? I am looking to do 2 units - do you also have the thrust bearings, and bearing for the tonearm ? I understand it is just a 1/4 in ball - composition VARIES according to taste - seems like a tomato -- tomatto kind of thing
 
Have to confirm with Stuart that his order has arrived. Should have thrust bearings ready today or latest tomorrow. I do have ball bearings. He can give you a total in the conversation we have going with you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom