• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Official AR Turntable Owners Thread

Look like a you've got a quality wood base now, and a bit more heft is nice. I too bought a badge from an eBay seller years ago, am happy with it. In fact the seller offered two sizes, I bought both, ended up using the larger one (just over 1") because my base was larger than stock too and it seemed a good proportional fit. I have an extra of that larger size, I'll post a pic in a few.
 
Last edited:
UzK5V7D.jpeg
 
So I decided that since I recently had @StuartB work on my XA arm and spindle I would spend my March Break ( Spring Break for those in the US) building a new plinth for it.
When I first got the deck it had a vinyl wrapped chipboard frame and a slightly damaged clear dustcover.
A few years ago I saw a solid walnut XA frame with a slightly less damaged, tinted dust cover for sale at a good price, so I picked it up.
Now for the new frame I was planning, I knew I wanted to use the less damaged dust cover and that my woodworking skills are very basic.
So I decided to basically wrap the chipboard frame In wood, leaving about half an inch exposed at the top for the dustcover to sit on. That would leave the walnut frame untouched, and undamaged.
I had hoped to get some solid Walnut boards, or Brazilian Rosewood for the new wrap around, but given the cost of those, I thought that it would be a smart idea to build a mock-up using some MDF I had in the basement first (cutting bevels on my low end, jobsite table saw is not easy).
So after I had cut the boards and assembled the wrap around plinth things looked pretty good, so I thought to myself why not get some veneer and make this mock-up the real thing?
Since nowhere in town had any Walnut veneer I ended up going with some Birch, which I will stain.
That being said here are some pics.
View attachment 3453887View attachment 3453888View attachment 3453889
So, now we come to the point of my post. I am in need of an AR badge. I have seen a few replicas for sale on the 'Bay that look decent enough, but was wondering if anyone has any experience with any replica badges for sale that they would recommend.
audiotagsiowa makes some nice badges.
 
Here is my spare, you can see a hairline scratch in the upper left corner area. PM me if you want it, happy to pass it along.

fV0hJiI.jpg
Thanks. Message sent.
By the way, do you happen to remember the colour/paint you used when you repainted your top plate?
 
Update: Couple of coats of stain on. Still need to sand down some spots on this 2nd coat. Also got the top plate finished ( thanks to @enricosonic for the tip on the paint, and for the AR badge that's on the way). As I said I'm not the greatest woodworker in the world so the finish on the plinth has its problems, but so far I am quite pleased with it.20250315_200937.jpg20250315_200958.jpg20250315_201034.jpg20250315_201114.jpg
 
Update: Couple of coats of stain on. Still need to sand down some spots on this 2nd coat. Also got the top plate finished ( thanks to @enricosonic for the tip on the paint, and for the AR badge that's on the way). As I said I'm not the greatest woodworker in the world so the finish on the plinth has its problems, but so far I am quite pleased with it.View attachment 3455091View attachment 3455092View attachment 3455093View attachment 3455094
Looking good! Glad you're happy with that hue of of "black", it does do a fair representation of the original AR color.
 
If remnants of the felt around the lip of the center spindle well is still there you might want to clean that out. Doesn't have to be replaced and make sure to clean out the well of any particles. They will score the walls and bearing. Can you check the condition of the Delrin thrust plate? Maybe flip it over or replace it. You'll have to replace the oil if you cleaned out the well.
 
I recently picked up an AR XA. I did not pack it well enough when traveling home and I damaged the tonearm wires. Terrific posts here and a few other spots (vinyl nirvana, johns weather) on how to rewire the arm. I am not skilled at soldering - one or two projects, but even with my low skill level rewiring the arm looks doable.

I need some help with the orientation / matching of the wires - including the ground.
Based on the current headshell that I have (with a grado cart) should the wires be oriented like this:

Headshell Facing Down
White Red
Blue Green

AR Plastic Insert to Tube
Red mark - top facing top of headshell – wiring is same as headshell

White Red
Blue Green

Ground Wire
Black - Soldered under Housing

Hopefully I am at 100/% so far because if I am not, I am going to fail this assignment. The connections for the wiring post attached to the plinth have me baffled.

Should they go in this order – top to bottom
Green
Blue
Red
White
Ground

I’ve attached a few pictures that hopefully explain things more.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2025-03-19 at 7.23.45 AM.jpg
    Screenshot 2025-03-19 at 7.23.45 AM.jpg
    71.5 KB · Views: 19
  • AR Plastic Tonearm Part.jpeg
    AR Plastic Tonearm Part.jpeg
    54.7 KB · Views: 17
  • Screenshot 2025-03-20 at 9.59.05 AM.png
    Screenshot 2025-03-20 at 9.59.05 AM.png
    249.6 KB · Views: 18
Attached is an 'as found' picture from my restoration. I did the Technics tube swap when I rewired the tonearm using Cardas wiring. I did not reuse the terminal strip but instead opted for RCA connectors installed into the plinth.
 

Attachments

  • AR XA (8).JPG
    AR XA (8).JPG
    105 KB · Views: 23
Thanks for these photos and drawings - very helpful.
I've spend an embarrassing amount of hours on this and unfortunately I am running into some issues....

I am still getting some hum - especially when touching the tonearm wires and ground. Likely several issues at play.

My edited photo from the AR manual is wrong. I did the wires in this order:

Green
White
Red
Blue

I had a little hum, but did manage to hear a few songs -- WOW.

Now I am all in and have to finish this thing.

Where should the ground wire from the tonarm pivot go ?

I grounded it to the fifth slot on the bridge - but I think that may be wrong. Do I ground it to the left (white shield) post or ground it via the lug where it appears the ground from the RCA (left) side is also grounded ? I am thinking that since I grounded it onto the the buss strip that I've created a loop.

As I was trying to track the hum down I also managed to break the leads off of a replacement headshell that I got from ebay. I've been trying to solder them back on -- and it has not been going well ..... Is it even possible to solder those ? The original shell that came with the deck has the spring pins --- maybe I need to focus on repairing that one..... I appreciate any tips !
 
Back
Top Bottom