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Need advice on this AR turntable.

marantznewb

marantznewb

New Member
I'm hoping some experts can tell me what to do with this turntable I picked up today. I'm not sure of the model and I'm hoping you can tell me what to do with it. It looks like it needs some TLC. Do Itry to fix it. It looks like it has no real features but feels like its made reasonably well.

Any advice whatsoever would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance. IMG_2736.jpg IMG_2733.jpg
 
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I would suggest trying to sell it locally. Unless expertly packed (by a turntable expert), it can easily get damaged if shipped.
 
Or is this worth getting fixed? I'm really new to this. I already have a Pioneer pl 518. Is the AR better or worse?
 
better..... It took me a long time to appreciate mine. You won't hear the difference overnight...
 
What you have is a classic table. I mean a real classic. Once properly restored, it is an excellent performer and I would bet you will end up really liking it. Now the really good news for you is that in addition to there being a ton of threads that a simple search in this forum will reveal, the foremost expert on all things AR turntable, Marc Morin(marcmorin is his AK handle) lives, I believe, in Columbus, or thereabouts. A great guy(he worked on my AR XA) and a wealth of knowledge, essentially in your backyard. I would urge you to get in touch with him before you do anything further and have a discussion of your options for getting this beautiful table back into working shape. Then, if you decide that you want to sell it, I'm sure you'll easily be able to get back whatever you put into it, probably right here on AK, if not locally through Craigslist, etc.

In any event, good luck with whatever you choose to do.
 
Wow, you guys are great. I will follow through on this advice. The guy I bought this turntable from was just short of placing it in the trash. I got it and four other pieces of 1960's equipment for a twenty dollar bill.
 
I bet I can't afford to restore it properly. It seems silly for me to have a great turntable if I don't even have a decent vintage receiver yet. I will consult with Marc Morin first though.
 
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If you have the matching amp to that Eico tuner, you might have the makings of a nice system.
 
I never say this.

But since the OP has intents of selling this table from the get go. And questions refer to what the value is, and what it can be sold for....This thread belongs in Dollars and Sense.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Okay, I've consulted with someone I respect well and he says to keep this unit. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do. This probably depends on the expense of bringing it up to date. Here are more detailed pics. The dust cover has some cracks. The walnut is perfect. The AR emblem is missing. The platter spins but seems sluggish (oil?). I plugged it in and the very small wheel is spinning. I have not taken off the bottom because I'm afraid I'll screw something up. I have the original card that was stapled to the bottom of the unit (not pictured). IMG_2750.jpg IMG_2750.jpg IMG_2749.jpg IMG_2748.jpg IMG_2745.jpg IMG_2746.jpg IMG_2743.jpg IMG_2741.jpg IMG_2742.jpg IMG_2747.jpg IMG_2744.jpg
 
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Looks solid and in very good shape! Definitely worth fixing up. Do your homework and I bet you'll get it running well for a lot less than you think.
 
That would be simple to put into operational condition. It is a manual turntable and you have said there is at least one motor inside that is working. This might mean that the electrical from the wall is in good shape. The electrical for the cartridge is something to check, too but maybe some work getting the platter spinning smooth. googling ar turntable rebuild brings up a few links that are way over the top compared to what you want to do to make that one just work but they might tell you how to go about changing the oil for the platter. Then add a belt and see if the unit has sound. Evaluate what you have at that point to see if you are ready to play records or maybe do a bit more work. Not hard but without any idea you do need to rely on those that have gone there before. Good Luck, it is worth it.
 
Fix it. My XA is the best sounding table in the joint bar none. Buying it was one of the best audio decisions I've ever made.
 
Don't assume that a new cartridge is needed. If the stylus is worn, obviously it should be replaced, but some of the older cartridges can be very captivating. They may miss out on some high end extension and/or detail, but often they have a muscular and convincing sound. And don't be afraid of moderately higher tracking forces -- too little, and resulting mistracking is more damaging than too much, and older stylii usually had larger contact areas (hence less detail and extension) so the tracking forces are higher the pressures are not excessive, and may be comparable.
 
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