Restore AR turntable or purchase new one?

[Grenadeslio]

As I posted before, when I got the XA going I was amazed that it went toe to toe with the AR I had owned for thirty years and added most of the Merrill mods; acrylic subchassis, acrylic and lead platter, periphery ring, motor and power supply, Jelco arm. The XA was stock other than cardas wire and it cost me all of $19.
The new one is definitely better than the Merrill, no doubt but it has the stock aluminum T-bar and platter. With each ‘upgrade’ from Merrill, I thought I was getting closer to Nirvana, but each step took me closer in a HiFi sense but took me further from the music. Spinning the XA for the first time got closer to the illusion of live musicians in the room than I ever remember experiencing.
Are there better turntables? Of course, but I’m good.

they do make music

 

[infullview]

Apparently you haven’t watched this video

Audiofreak71

Thank you. That was very informative. I guess as a kid I took this table for granted. I'm still not thrilled with the repurposed clock motor they choose, but I understand why everybody is so enamored with this table,

 

[Grenadeslio]

Thank you. That was very informative. I guess as a kid I took this table for granted. I'm still not thrilled with the repurposed clock motor they choose, but I understand why everybody is so enamored with this table,

it would lose the magic with a bigger motor.

The arm can be made to be quite nice or replaced with something better if capable.

 

[AvFan]

Thank you. That was very informative. I guess as a kid I took this table for granted. I'm still not thrilled with the repurposed clock motor they choose, but I understand why everybody is so enamored with this table,

Yep, having to give the platter a nudge at startup is a little annoying but the stock motor keeps amazing speed at both 33 and 45 so I guess that is really what matters.

As far as others comments regarding the original arm, it suffers from having to hit a price point and therefore the use of less than the best materials but the design is spot on. It is neutral balance which allows it to maintain a constant VTF through warps then the vertical bearings can be replaced and the post/well can be polished. Many have replaced the original J arm tube with a S Technics with Cardas wires and damping added. Add a motor pod damper and properly locate additional mass to the T-bar and these tables sing.

All these mods were engineered to the max by Marc Morin and are now carried on by StuartB and Hose53.

 

[MisterDK]

Crazy days for me - I knew I had another XA around here, at least I thought I had. Just found it today and I’ve been looking for it for a few years now. Bought this at a yard sale around ‘90 for $10. This says oiled walnut on the box but it’s not - different XA inside, this one is actually an XAU, “universal” which came with a 110v-230v switch and both 50 and 60MHz pulleys. It needs some lovin’ but it’ll get it.

So yeah; restore that old AR!

 

[AlphaEcho35]

What really gave me an honest appreciation for the XA was the article written by Edgar Villchur where he explains his design principles. That article is critical reading for anyone who really wants to understand how the AR turntables really work. It is quite amazing how much thought and engineering went into the design while still making it a model of simplicity. (Thanks to Marc Morin and AVFan's lumber pile for making mine look and sounds as great as it does.)

Here's a link to the article in the September 1962 issue of Audio Magazine:
Part 1:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Audio/60s/Audio-1962-Sep.pdf

Part 2:
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Audio/60s/Audio-1962-oct.pdf

 

[Audiofreak71]

Crazy days for me - I knew I had another XA around here, at least I thought I had. Just found it today and I’ve been looking for it for a few years now. Bought this at a yard sale around ‘90 for $10. This says oiled walnut on the box but it’s not - different XA inside, this one is actually an XAU, “universal” which came with a 110v-230v switch and both 50 and 60MHz pulleys. It needs some lovin’ but it’ll get it.

So yeah; restore that old AR!

View attachment 2295451 View attachment 2295452 View attachment 2295453 View attachment 2295454 View attachment 2295455 View attachment 2295456 View attachment 2295457 View attachment 2295458 View attachment 2295459 View attachment 2295460

That’s really awesome, that’s kinda like finding that old pair of jeans going through the pockets and finding a $20 bill you left in it lol . Glad you found it hope you get it up and running to your liking


Audiofreak71