Official AR Turntable Owners Thread

[Calypte]

Thank you to those of you who've offered advice on enhancing the performance of my near-stock 1969 AR XA turntable. It's the turntable in my profile pic. I will keep your advice well in mind as I use this turntable. I know I cleaned and reoiled the bearing a few years ago, perhaps heeding identical advice from the very same people. That was then. However! -- after using this turntable in the wee hours of this morning (Sun, Mar 24, 2024), and listening carefully to a high quality vintage LP of Prokofiev's Symphony No 6 with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, I'm not convinced that there is the slightest thing wrong with my AR. Now, it's true that when I posted a few days ago, there was some low-level noise from a particular LP (I forget which one). Bad vinyl? Normal variation of vinyl? Something else that I haven't taken account of? I don't know. But, for now, at a rather loud listening volume, there was no audible noise, except for occasional dust motes. It sounded great!

 

[Notdoc]

A quick question, to settle something, hopefully a quick answer. The arm should be level, as in parallel to the record, and the head shell/cartridge also. Thanks to whomever.

 

[Blackdog61]

A quick question, to settle something, hopefully a quick answer. The arm should be level, as in parallel to the record, and the head shell/cartridge also. Thanks to whomever.

More or less. Google VTA and SRA.

 

[Notdoc]

Thanks. I thought I knew what I was talking about.

 

[Trasky]

Hi all, me again!

Regarding my Grace cartridge it seems like its definitely beyond repair as I got in touch with a local who used to do cartridge repairs. Oh well, if anyone has a recommendation for carts in the 300-400NZ price range let me know - I don't mind getting the Ortofon Blue but its a little too ugly for my tastes.
EDIT: I'm most likely going with the Nagaoka MP110 for now.

I've also been running the motor for a bit with the sewing oil I picked up, already sounds so much more quiet! Though I did leave it running for about 6 hours eventually, and it got pretty hot to the touch. Is this normal due to working the motor for longer than it would typically be running, or should I be concerned? Have attached pictures of said motor and connection as it may be to do with that as my quick research tells me. Keeping in mind I'm in NZ (240v) and the motor states 115v 60hz again an area I have little knowledge in unfortunately.

 

[jondom22]

Just joined the club. Got from local record shop that I got my amp and speakers from. I believe it’s a stock unit from 1966 that was recently serviced.

Some experiment herbie, with my puppy running around on the floor.

 

[mkane]

One thing you can do for near nothing is remove the bottom plate and get it up an inch or so off the desk

 

[Notdoc]

Wow. An intact arm rest. Good score!

 

[jondom22]

One thing you can do for near nothing is remove the bottom plate and get it up an inch or so off the desk

Was this in reference to my table or someone else’s? It doesn’t skip or anything even when jumping around in here. I think there are tiny feet on the corners of the plinth.

Wow. An intact arm rest. Good score!

Thanks! Ya was the last piece in the puzzle to turn make my living room dedicated to listening to records, playing guitar, and playing with the new puppo.

 

[mkane]

Was this in reference to my table or someone else’s? It doesn’t skip or anything even when jumping around in here. I think there are tiny feet on the corners of the plinth.


Thanks! Ya was the last piece in the puzzle to turn make my living room dedicated to listening to records, playing guitar, and playing with the new puppo.

It was.

Tap on the deck. Sounds hollow doesn’t it. Try it you’ll like it.

 

[jondom22]

It was.

Tap on the deck. Sounds hollow doesn’t it. Try it you’ll like it.

Ya, I put some small rubber feet on bottom, but actually found the bass to be less tight and big overall. Maybe the plinth + credenza filled with records is just solid enough and blocks out speaker vibrations, or maybe has a low enough resonant frequency?

I’m totally out of my element, and def don’t wanna go down a rabbit hole of upgrades cos it plays and sound very good as is. I just need a newer cartridge or stylus that doesn’t distort as much as this old ADC QLM 30 MKIII that came with it, and maybe redo some grounding. I def do like it’s much wider frequency reproduction than my LP120 + Shure M97xe, it has wayyy more bass and top end comparatively, tho that setup still has more dynamic range and a bit wider image and obv a lil more forward midrange.

 

[Notdoc]

If you're having grounding issues like tonearm making a hum when touched, check the braid around the tonearm wires.

 

[jondom22]

Something

If you're having grounding issues like tonearm making a hum when touched, check the braid around the tonearm wires.

It actually hums just putting my hand near it.

Lmk if there’s instructions or a good link on what to check on the braided tonearm wires

 

[Notdoc]

Mine, when I got it, (over 30 yrs ago now) the braid was corroded where it goes thru the grommet. But it could be anywhere, there are several points underneath that ties them all together, wire tree, top plate, t-bar, and that strange left rca ground. You should have continuity between tonearm and any other ground, down to left channel rca crown. Also between any 2 grounds. I ran the smallest, most flexible wire I could find and ran from where the braid attaches at either end following the original, not binding anywhere, and was still like that until recently.

 

[mr_macgee]

Before it goes tomorrow on it's journey, I thought I would post my AR XA (her name is Sally); she's been with me for about three years. I'm giving it to a friend's son who recently mentioned he wanted to play records.
My friend who does tech repairs for me has helped me a lot, so I thought I return the favor. It's the Walnut finish, I polished the platter, added a cork mat, installed a M55e with orig. stylus, put a new belt on it, re-olied the tonearm bearing and spindle bearing, added three anti vibration cork/rubber feet and she's now ready to play. Thought I would post it here before she drives away.

The W&F and the WAF is pretty good ; ) speed is pretty spot on while playing a record. I'm hoping she continues to live a long and prosperous life; producing lots of good music and dancing.

 

[jondom22]

This video might get taken down, but here’s the system through my solid state amp (I gotta service that knight 755 tube amp).

Haven’t serviced it much other than basic setup and mitigating some ground hum. Def looking for recommendations on a cartridge to replace the old ADC QLM 30 MKIII that came with it.

A lil pic of current setup sans shelving of artwork on wall.

 

[BlacknTan]

I've got the same AR 77XB turntable I bought in the Seventies, and it's given me good service. It started out life with an ADC QLM cartridge. I don't recall when or why I changed out to this Stanton 720. When I got back into vinyl not that long ago, the plan was to just replace the stylus, which I did to the most expensive Vivid Line. I've been quite happy with it, but I'm beginning to wonder if the Stanton is leaving anything on the table, so to speak, in performance or sound quality.
I'd like to try one of the Nagaoka's, but honestly I'm approaching this with much trepidation.
This headshell has not been dismounted from the original tonearm in at least thirty years. The AR's have a fairly flimsy attachment here to begin with, so I'm wondering if it's worth my while to dance with the devil, and mess with the success... and luck, I've thus far had?

I guess my question boils down to how wise it is to attempt removing the headshell on a 50 year old tonearm that hasn't been touched in many years, or just be happy with what i've got, which quite honestly, sounds great to my old ears..

Any thoughts??

 

[mr_macgee]

I've got the same AR 77XB turntable I bought in the Seventies,

I guess my question boils down to how wise it is to attempt removing the headshell on a 50 year old tonearm that hasn't been touched in many years, or just be happy with what i've got, which quite honestly, sounds great to my old ears..

Any thoughts??

It's a valid concern and I've had to deal with it in the past.
If your careful and understand the fragility of the Headshell thread mounting and plastic insert on the arm, they you should be okay. Most of the issue comes when people don't realize how careful they have to be.
I have found that the Shure M55 cartridges sounds really good on it. Even better if you can find a Shure V15 III, IV or V MR cart with a fresh & good stylus, but while those can sometimes be found for good prices if your lucky, the word is out and prices have really gone up on them.
How it sounds will greatly depend on the stylus wear. Also, Azimuth & VTA can be an issue of the XA, and not really adjustable. Be very careful trying to make any azimuth changes at the headshell connection to the arm, instead shim the cart. While it can be done (to a limited degree), it's common to mess up the plastic insert and ability to tighten the headshell to the arm. There's tons on info on online about it, you'll be in good hands.

Lastly, just a reminder, the AR XA headshell cart mounting screws are not typical for headshells and if you need a different length to mount a different cart, then your going to need imperial size (not metric) screws, the correct size for original Headshell is number #3-48 TPI screws. I believe you only have like 1/8" of thread depth inside the Headshell so the right length matters. Please only use non magnetic screws.

PS: The XA arm is low mass so try to use a high compliance cartridge; those usually work best on them.

 

[BlacknTan]

It's a valid concern and I've had to deal with it in the past.
If your careful and understand the fragility of the Headshell thread mounting and plastic insert on the arm, they you should be okay. Most if the issue comes when people don't realize how careful they have to be. I have found that the Shure M55 cartridges sounds really good on it. Even better if you can find a V15 III, IV or V cart with a fresh & good stylus, but while those can be found good prices if you lucky, the word is out and prices have really gone up. How it sounds will greatly depend on the stylus wear. Also, Azimuth & VTA can be an issue of them. Be very careful trying to make any azimuth changes at the headshell connection to the arm. While it can be done (to a limited degree), it's common to mess up the plastic insert and ability to tighten the headshell to the arm. There's tons on info on online about it, you'll be in good hands.

Lastly, just a reminder, the AR XA headshell cart mounting screws are not typical for headshells and if you need a different length to mount a different cart, then your going to need imperial size (not metric) screws, the correct size for original Headshell is number #3-48 TPI screws. I believe you only have like 1/8" of thread depth inside the Headshell so the right length matters. Please only use non magnetic screws.

Thanks for your thoughts..

I'm not worried about the threads on the headshell, I've been extremely careful with that connection. My concern is the plastic insert in the tonearm when seperating the headshell. Also, I've still got all the screws for the headshell from when the TT was new. Further, the gent in the local hardware store gave me a whole drawer full of tiny screws a few years back, and I'm quite sure it contains 3-48's..

The conundrum is stand pat, or work up my courage...

P.S. While I realize the 77XB is the "redheaded stepchild" of the AR line, I'm a big fan of AR, and this particular turntable.

 

[mr_macgee]

Thanks for your thoughts..

My concern is the plastic insert in the tonearm when seperating the headshell.

The conundrum is stand pat, or work up my courage...

Yes, that's what I was mainly speaking about, the plastic insert at the headshell/arm connection; but then I meandered, also mentioning the cart threads. If your table is sounding nice with your current cart & stylus without issues, then enjoy it. Could suggest first getting a fresh EE stylus for it and see how it sounds? Question: Isn't the 720 a P-mount cart?

If you have the upgrade urge, as you know it can be diminishing returns working on 50yr old ever so fragile tonearm with plastic but it can be done with good results. The good thing, there's always XA tonearm parts being offered for sale online if something happens.