My first vintage turntable should be…

Audiofreak71 said:
Even though I look at my XA as a work of art I use it often and it was built to the hilt by the Legend Mr Marc Morin and our own @AvFan and it has been the most solid table I have owned. So don’t be afraid be careful as with all tables whether cheap or expensive just take care of it :thumbsup:


Audiofreak71
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Lance, did Marc sign his name on the bottom? Would be worth much more!
 
Ilikevinyl said:
Lance, did Marc sign his name on the bottom? Would be worth much more!
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I sure wish he would have but he didn’t , I guess his signature though is his one of a kind craftsmanship he does on these tables but an autograph would have been nice. What I do know is the plinth on mine is a one off making the table a one off but either way I’m just honored to own an XA from the legend himself and master plinth maker AvFan.


Audiofreak71
 
I wouldnt go vintage for my first turntable. I did, and got nothing but issues. I didn't enjoy the first year or so of listening to vinyl because my old tt's always had issues (especially if they had an automatic function) and my old second hand receivers were always blowing up and having issues. Everything changed when i got a Numark tt200 and a reliable phono stage.

I'm going to go against the current here and recommend a newish Stanton or Numark (or similar) DJ turntable with a cheap Numark Groovetool "GT" cart and some replacement styli....if you want to splurge a little more get an Audio Technica LP120 (which is a GREAT turntable for anybody). Audiophiles may cringe but I wasnt playing through a $3000 tube amp and huge theatre speakers. I just wanted to hear the warmth of analog music, and I did.
You wont have any issues and you'll enjoy the records and the process of playing them manually.

It gives you a good starting pointing to grow from.
 
If a deal sounds to good to be true it probably is.
That AR offer seems a bit like this...
...or maybe I am just a cynical old fart. Heck, go get that one before someone else does.
 
Audiofreak71 said:
I sure wish he would have but he didn’t , I guess his signature though is his one of a kind craftsmanship he does on these tables but an autograph would have been nice. What I do know is the plinth on mine is a one off making the table a one off but either way I’m just honored to own an XA from the legend himself and master plinth maker AvFan.


Audiofreak71
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Do you have a receipt from the work Marc did?
 
BingoRingo said:
Found a new listing for the AR XA today in good to great condition because of some recommendations here.

Original plinth, tone arm, and platter. Wood is in great shape minus a good shine. Dust cover is not broken at all but needs to be polished. New motor and belt with less than 24 hrs on it. Shure m91d cartridge and hi track stylus.

I think it priced very fair ($150) so I plan to go get it tomorrow unless someone here has a convincing argument against it being my first TT.

Any last minute thumbs up or thumbs down?
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Huge thumbs up for sure!
 
Ilikevinyl said:
I would print those, supply them with your custom AR turntable if you sell it in the future. Documentation is everything when it comes to top dollar!
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Oh I’ll never sell that table it’s literally in my will , so when I say I’ll never sell like so many do but don’t I’m serious about my MM XA . I have had so many people trying to buy it though lol.


Audiofreak71
 
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BingoRingo said:
Quick responses greatly appreciated since both are currently for sale. Thanks in advance.

ELAC MIRACORD 46, Realistic R700E cartridge which is a rebranded Shure M75E. It’s topped with a Shure RS-E stylus. Also includes a new Shure RS-78 stylus for 78 records

PIONEER PL-12D, cartridge is a Stanton 500 with a replacement stylus

or PASS FOR ANOTHER for $300?

Both are really clean and fully functional, great to excellent condition in my opinion. Hesitate to say restored, but definitely serviced. Price for each is the same.
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you may want to be a subscriber so you get access to barter town….. just saying… you can post a wanted add. I’m sure you can find better for 300.

I’ve had many PL-12D and the 10/15/17… even in box in mint cond it’s a $200 table all day. They are not rare and do show up often.

BUT I’d take the PL-12 if I had to pick :)


The 12 is easy to work on, you will need to replace the foam in the springs to get it to operate correctly. Takes minute to do.

Good luck with it :)
 
maxhifi said:
Oh yes, it is minimal, inconsequential even, but us audiophiles have a tendency to split hairs. Linn, Rega, VPI, etc. All make crystal controlled power regenerators for their higher end models, and now I see more of a case for it, that's all. In anything other than a four figure turntable though there will be other issues which completely dominate .
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Yes, crystal controlled power regenerator but us audiophiles do have to wonder about that crystal. What if it drifts or wanders a bit, how would we know for it says locked.
 
SmileyFaceEQ said:
I highly doubt the frequency of the power coming into your house is clean enough to claim stable 33.3 rpm. I knew some thorens owner would chime in after spending big money. LOL
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I can't speak for other locations. Here in the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia) The local electric supplier (PECO) is known for producing electricity that may stray by 1Hz up or down. However, most (+90%) of the time they deliver 60Hz on the button.
 
I have some old equipment that used crystals to set the oscillator frequency and plenty of them have gone so far off as to be unusable. A couple have even just had the crystal go completely dead so it won't oscillate at all.
 
BingoRingo did you get that AR?

If you missed it, post your location as folks might look through your local sales channels Offerup, CL and such and make recommendations.
 
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