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Just bought a pair of AR3a’s

topgun

topgun

Active Member
310C1D58-5F65-403C-A195-80485DAB54E4.jpeg 3F72DDA5-CE60-48F2-9BA8-EA70F4668682.jpeg 375ECF37-F924-49BD-88EE-45E5559FEFE4.jpeg 6AB7FE46-F7F7-4425-8310-968F088A9F29.jpeg EA5FFBE8-11C5-442A-ABE6-6078F49B6036.jpeg Hello to all of you here in AK speaker world. This is my first post here on this area of the forum. I’m mostly in the Pioneer section. Anyway, today I was browsing the marketplace and I saw a pair of AR3a’s being sold locally, and the description had them as in nice condition and in the original boxes. Also stating that they may need a refurbishing. 250 was the asking price. I offered the guy 150 and to my surprise, he accepted. So I went over to his house and there they were. Like he said, used but in their original packaging including the foam. I just looked in the boxes and what stared back at me were two speakers that looked like they were still brand new. Now I have never heard a pair of these speakers, but I am aware of their quality and reputation. I loaded them into my car and headed home anxious to take them out of the boxes and get a good look at them. Once home I took them out of the boxes and wow! These things are absolutely in amazing condition. Not a Nick or a scratch anywhere on them. But, once I removed the grilles I discovered what I suspected. The woofers need a refoaming. Like I said, I was ready for that. As in good condition as they are, I do realize that they are going to need a little work. mid there is any advice that you folks can give me as far as restoration of these I would really appreciate it. Here are some pictures. Anyone know how I can date these?
 
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topgun said:
. a pair of AR3a’s .. .. The woofers need a refoaming.. any advice that you folks can give me as far as restoration of these I would really appreciate it. Here are some pictures. Anyone know how I can date these?
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Here is a very recent restoration thread by @GD70 , the man know his stuff so hopefully he'll stop by and share his knowledge and advice on how to proceed with the woofer.

https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/ar-3a-restoration-latest.1024859/

topgun said:
. Anyone know how I can date these?
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More then likely there should be date stamps on the back and or side of the woofer

For example

Screen Shot 2023-04-21 at 9.11.45 PM.png

Screen Shot 2023-04-21 at 9.12.21 PM.png
 
They look to be in fantastic condition, given their age. Aside from the obvious surround deterioration, might be a good idea while the woofers are out to refurb the crossover as well. Spritz some DeOxit into the two level controls and work them back and forth several times, followed with Fader Lube. Some lemon oil on the cabinets and you should be good to go. For $150, you got a sweet deal.

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...ing_the_ar-3a/restoring_the_ar-3a_full_pd.pdf
 
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Thanks for your replies so far guys.
Yes, the crossovers are definitely on my radar. Just need to do as much research as possible before I start on them to make sure Im well informed on what is what.
 
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Dswankey said:
A definitive thread from a well respected community when it comes to all things AR

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...ing_the_ar-3a/restoring_the_ar-3a_full_pd.pdf

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/...ginal_models_schematicss/restoring_the_ar-3a/[/QUOTE

I just read through this paper, and it really seems to contain most of the information I was looking for. I will print out a copy and keep it with my files for when I begin the process of refurbishing these speakers. Thanks you.
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After reading the restoring the ar3/a pages I think that I am pretty sure that these are from the last couple of years of the speakers production run. Somewhere between 74 and 77. I will ultimately be able to know for sure once I open them up and look on the back of the drivers themselves.
I have a question for you folks. The restoration pages mention that there are two replacement pots for the mid and high drivers. One is a direct replacement for the original, and the other is an l-pad type. I know one is more expensive than the other, but I’m curious as to which would be the best choice aside from the cost ? I’m also interested in knowing who sell the best replacement surrounds for the main driver?
 
topgun said:
After reading the restoring the ar3/a pages I think that I am pretty sure that these are from the last couple of years of the speakers production run. Somewhere between 74 and 77. I will ultimately be able to know for sure once I open them up and look on the back of the drivers themselves.
I have a question for you folks. The restoration pages mention that there are two replacement pots for the mid and high drivers. One is a direct replacement for the original, and the other is an l-pad type. I know one is more expensive than the other, but I’m curious as to which would be the best choice aside from the cost ? I’m also interested in knowing who sell the best replacement surrounds for the main driver?
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Go with the modern equalivents. You can get the correct 5/8ths round surrounds from vintage-ar on eBay.
 
Those deserve the Ohmite 16 ohm rheostats. Not a fan of L-Pads for this application. The Ohmites are head and shoulders better in AR’s IMHO.
Everything the originals should have been.

Used them in my 3’s and 2AX’s with great results.
 
Thanks, I sort of figured that the preferred way to go would be to go with the Ohmite replacements. In the coming weeks I will start sourcing the parts for the crossovers, the surrounds, and the ohmite rheostats.
 
topgun said:
It was a huge stroke of luck. What makes it more surprising is that he was fully aware of what they were.
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Still would be interested in your location because it's frankly bizarre. Anybody that would keep a pair of speakers like these in that shape, then get rid of them for a 1/10 what they would normally sell for in the market makes very little sense. It's one thing to know what they are, it's another thing to go online for a minute, check to see what they sell for, and then decide he's going to give them away.
 
sberger said:
Still would be interested in your location because it's frankly bizarre. Anybody that would keep a pair of speakers like these in that shape, then get rid of them for a 1/10 what they would normally sell for in the market makes very little sense. It's one thing to know what they are, it's another thing to go online for a minute, check to see what they sell for, and then decide he's going to give them away.
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I’m in Easton,Pa. And in case some are wondering. The guy I bought these from had purchased them a number of years ago and never did anything with them except store them in his attic. He had them shipped from where he bought them and his name and address (both his name and the address I picked them up at) are on shipping labels on both boxes.
 
gkimeng said:
The Ohmites used to be the best replacements available, but their open backs made it necessary to construct some kind of shield to keep the cabinet fill from fouling the wipers. Your best bet today are these:

https://community.classicspeakerpages.net/topic/13225-potentiometers-for-ar/

There's also someone selling them on eBay, but for a higher price.
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Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered two pairs from the guy who has them on that link you sent me. He goes by the name geekyshrink on the bay.
 
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