Question. I’ve placed drops of oil on the top of the motor shafts from above. On the old two motor units…I believe there can be partially disassembled. Does it make sense to do this an add a few drops inside!?
Official AR Turntable Owners Thread
- Thread starter 4Play
- Start date
noisefreq
Super Member
I've never had to disassemble a motor on an AR so I can't speak to that, sorry. But I have added oil, as the motor is turning, where the spindle enters the top of the motor housing. Keep adding drops of oil until the oil begins to pool; you're done. It may take several hours, just so you know.
Just picked up an EB101 I'm delighted to have. It was part of a lot that I purchased along with a Sansui 661, SurgeX SX2120 and some decent BPC components.
The deck and dust cover are in great condition. The previous owner bought it new and kept the owners guide(s), tool kit & spindle oil that came with it and included it in the sale. The only thing it doesn't have is a platter mat. Currently it's equipped with Shure M97xe cart/stylus and the PO could not recall ever replacing it.
I intend to give it a full inspection before using it as it hasn't been run in about 15 years. There is fading to the plinth, only evident with the platter removed. I'll use some Howard feed & wax to polish it up, oil the spindle and get a belt. Guessing it probably would need one after sitting stationary so long. I have some decks that didn't do well with a standard belt (Dual). Any recommendations on where to buy one for the AR ? Does the M97 cart seem period correct ? Good match ? Of course I need a platter mat, didn't know if there is any special spec I should look for (?)
The deck and dust cover are in great condition. The previous owner bought it new and kept the owners guide(s), tool kit & spindle oil that came with it and included it in the sale. The only thing it doesn't have is a platter mat. Currently it's equipped with Shure M97xe cart/stylus and the PO could not recall ever replacing it.
I intend to give it a full inspection before using it as it hasn't been run in about 15 years. There is fading to the plinth, only evident with the platter removed. I'll use some Howard feed & wax to polish it up, oil the spindle and get a belt. Guessing it probably would need one after sitting stationary so long. I have some decks that didn't do well with a standard belt (Dual). Any recommendations on where to buy one for the AR ? Does the M97 cart seem period correct ? Good match ? Of course I need a platter mat, didn't know if there is any special spec I should look for (?)
marcthisdate
Where’s the confounded bridge?
You can get the belts at Vinyl Nirvana as well as other AR parts.. https://vinylnirvana.com/product-category/ar-parts
Thanks, terrific resource for more than just parts. Went ahead and ordered the belt...
I ain't seen the bridge
Hi all. I recently acquired an AR-XA-91 turntable from my neighbor. He's an old gentleman now and takes really good care of his things. This TT is in amazing condition and all stock. It works great. The only thing I did is adjust the tracking force to 1.25g. He didn't want any money for the turntable and just wanted someone to take care of it and enjoy it. I'm definitely that person and am humbled that he just gave it to me.
I found this group page because I'm trying to learn more about this TT. It's replacing my vintage Marantz 6170 with an Ortofon 2M Blue cart. I really liked my Marantz TT. I tried to upgrade to a Pro-Ject T2 turntable a couple of years ago and my vintage Marantz sounded just as good. PLUS it has auto stop so I returned the Pro-Ject and was prepared to stay with my Marantz forever.
I hooked up this AR-XA-91 and was not prepared for what I was about to hear. It smoked my Marantz/Ortofon Blue setup. Even my wife noticed a significant difference and she never hears a difference. I have a feeling the Shure 91ED cartridge is responsible for a lot of the improvements. Regardless, the Marantz is on the shelf and I'm all in on this AR. I love the sound and simplicity.
I have a JICO SAS stylus ordered for the Shure M91ED cartridge from LP Gear. I'm looking forward to that. I also added a new belt and now the 45 RPM doesn't come up to speed. I read an old post and someone said to set it on 45 RPM pulley then leave it there for 5-7 days to fix it. Basically stretch it out? I'm trying that now.
Anyway, I keep seeing this threaded hole outside between the platter and the tone arm. Is something missing? I've looked at old pictures of AR-XA's and I don't see others with that hole. The threaded hole of course is in the suspension with a hole cutout in the plinth to get to it. Anyone have insights to this?
Thanks!
I found this group page because I'm trying to learn more about this TT. It's replacing my vintage Marantz 6170 with an Ortofon 2M Blue cart. I really liked my Marantz TT. I tried to upgrade to a Pro-Ject T2 turntable a couple of years ago and my vintage Marantz sounded just as good. PLUS it has auto stop so I returned the Pro-Ject and was prepared to stay with my Marantz forever.
I hooked up this AR-XA-91 and was not prepared for what I was about to hear. It smoked my Marantz/Ortofon Blue setup. Even my wife noticed a significant difference and she never hears a difference. I have a feeling the Shure 91ED cartridge is responsible for a lot of the improvements. Regardless, the Marantz is on the shelf and I'm all in on this AR. I love the sound and simplicity.
I have a JICO SAS stylus ordered for the Shure M91ED cartridge from LP Gear. I'm looking forward to that. I also added a new belt and now the 45 RPM doesn't come up to speed. I read an old post and someone said to set it on 45 RPM pulley then leave it there for 5-7 days to fix it. Basically stretch it out? I'm trying that now.
Anyway, I keep seeing this threaded hole outside between the platter and the tone arm. Is something missing? I've looked at old pictures of AR-XA's and I don't see others with that hole. The threaded hole of course is in the suspension with a hole cutout in the plinth to get to it. Anyone have insights to this?
Thanks!
Attachments
This AR started out as the basic version from the mid-70s, with an MDF base. When I made terrible mistake of selling my albums to a used record store and switching to CDs, it sat a long time. 10 years ago, I cleaned it up, stripped and painted the top plate, added RCA jacks and an IEC plug, and Vinyl Nirvana springs. Worked pretty well for a few years until the original motor died, and it sat again for a few years. When I decided to re-build it, I sourced the cherry wood base, new motor and wiring, Vinyl Nirvana pulley, ceramic tonearm pivot bearing, better tonearm rest, new power switch. Cleaned, polished the platters, counterweight, and other metal bits. Stripped the top plate (again) and painted a color I thought would work better with the base, which I finished with Briwax on the outside, clear urethane on the inside. Swapped to a Technics wand, new Cardas wiring, Marc Morin mods, and an Audio-Technica V740ML cartridge. I didn’t like how far back the counterweight was from the pivot, so added a 26g SME weight. If you look closely, you’ll see a 5g Technics headshell weight in place of the screw in the AR counterweight. It was just a guess that it would work, and did. Saved the original screw. The only mod left would be to get acrylic platters, but they’re not cheap.
Nice job Bob. You have build a fine machine.
Thanks to help from you and Jose.
Nice to get a deck in good shape and as a gift. Congrats.
I use a George E. Merrill cork and rubber mat on my AR and am happy with. I could get something a tad more exotic, but for now I’ll stick with it.
Better damping properties perhaps.
I still have and use mine.
Here's my XA I bought in the late '80s. I started a thread many years ago on the refinishing of the top plate, still not sure I'm happy with its current paint job. Marc had it for awhile way back when, where it was tweaked and got a Technics arm tube so I can swap headshells/carts, etc. easily. I kept the original one.
I upgraded the base to solid walnut and that's about it. It used to have a '70s-era arm lift, which I may re-install, that's obviously why there's a hole in the top plate. The wood base has a groove for the dust cover (which I no longer have) but interestingly my Technics SL-1410MK2 cover is a perfect (set-on) fit. Also I just bought the Pat's Audio arm rest with clasp, waiting on that.
Anyway, it's about time I posted it here:
I upgraded the base to solid walnut and that's about it. It used to have a '70s-era arm lift, which I may re-install, that's obviously why there's a hole in the top plate. The wood base has a groove for the dust cover (which I no longer have) but interestingly my Technics SL-1410MK2 cover is a perfect (set-on) fit. Also I just bought the Pat's Audio arm rest with clasp, waiting on that.
Anyway, it's about time I posted it here:
Last edited:
noisefreq
Super Member
Enricosonic, I very much like the finish of your top plate. Has a vintage broadcast equipment look to it. I also have a MarcMorin replacement Technics arm tube on mine. I no longer have my original dust cover for mine either. I have a Pro-Ject cover I picked up local for $10.
AND, I ALSO have a TD145 mkII hooked up. Mine has the original aluminum base, though.
AND, I ALSO have a TD145 mkII hooked up. Mine has the original aluminum base, though.