What's the difference between an AR XA and XA-91?

[Blackdog61]

I just got mine going. There are no date indicators inside the plinth. The plinth is veneered particle board. The underside of the top plate is olive green with the serial number label and ‘oiled walnut’ taped to it.

 

[beatcomber]

Just reviewing some older threads, and this just post from @gkimeng caught my eye in reference to TT 20494:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/1964-ar-xa-norbert.463436/page-2

More telling than the serial number is the fact that the AR company address has a postal zone number rather than a zip code, which dates it to prior to July 1, 1963 when zip codes were first used. I have seen several model TX and TA tables, and their labels all had zip codes on the AR company address. Also the motors are stamped with 1961 manufacture dates and there is a hand scrawled "9/61" on the inner surface of the plinth (not shown in photos).

Anecdotally, this table was purchased new for Xmas 1961 at Leonard Radio in NYC by my late uncle, and has been in our family continuously since then.

Maybe my TX-19826 is earlier than 1963-1964?


...also in the same thread:

The lowest number we have encountered to date is TT 15197. The owner says he bought it new in 1963, which suggests that these didn't necessarily roll out the door in number order.

 

[Hifiler]

I have two early-ish AR turntables to add to the database, if there is interest: TA 40196 and TX 16524

TA 40196
Motor: double
Speed: single
Base: solid walnut
Headshell: gray
Plinth top: smooth dark gray
Plinth bottom: same
Base bottom: slotted
Address: Thorndike Street, 02141

 

[Hifiler]

TX 16524
Motor: double
Speed: double
Base: solid walnut
Headshell: gray
Plinth top: smooth dark gray
Plinth bottom: same
Base bottom: slotted
Address: Thorndike Street, no zip code
Note: has an XB style armrest, obviously added later

 

[marcmorin]

TX 16524
Motor: double
Speed: double
Base: solid walnut
Headshell: gray
Plinth top: smooth dark gray
Plinth bottom: same
Base bottom: slotted
Address: Thorndike Street, no zip code
Note: has an XB style armrest, obviously added later

View attachment 1233756 View attachment 1233757 View attachment 1233758 View attachment 1233759 View attachment 1233760 View attachment 1233761 View attachment 1233762

This one is a 4 bolt base, the other is a 6 bolt.

 

[Hifiler]

This one is a 4 bolt base, the other is a 6 bolt.

Thanks Marc, I hadn't noticed that difference between the two.

Also, I will be sending you a PM about potentially working on one of these tables, if you are interested.

 

[beatcomber]

TX 16524
Motor: double
Speed: double
Base: solid walnut
Headshell: gray
Plinth top: smooth dark gray
Plinth bottom: same
Base bottom: slotted
Address: Thorndike Street, no zip code
Note: has an XB style armrest, obviously added later

View attachment 1233756 View attachment 1233757 View attachment 1233758 View attachment 1233759 View attachment 1233760 View attachment 1233761 View attachment 1233762

That's just like mine, with an even earlier s/n. Perhaps 3883 means 883rd made in 1963? I'm going to take a look for a similar stamped code inside mine.

 

[Hifiler]

That's just like mine, with an even earlier s/n. Perhaps 3883 means 883rd made in 1963?

I was wondering that too, it will be interesting to see what you find. The first digit almost looks double stamped. Or alternatively, the stamp was made with a rocker stamper, with decreasing pressure as it rolled left to right, which would account for each digit appearing to decrease in intensity.

But then what to make of the similar stamp on my TA? Looks to be 009x89. I cannot make out the fourth digit.

 

[beatcomber]

I was wondering that too, it will be interesting to see what you find. The first digit almost looks double stamped. Or alternatively, the stamp was made with a rocker stamper, with decreasing pressure as it rolled left to right, which would account for each digit appearing to decrease in intensity.

But then what to make of the similar stamp on my TA? Looks to be 009x89. I cannot make out the fourth digit.

They just used a 6-digit stamper. Ignoring the first two digits (00), it could be interpreted as 1969.

 

[gkimeng]

The problem with numbers stamped on the insides of cabinets or the undersides of base plates, casings of motors, etc., is that they were in most cases put there by the vendors who supplied those parts and not by the final product assemblers. The long-lost "Rosetta Stone" document that might associate serial numbers of finished AR products with other manufacturing information has never been found.

 

[chaz]

Here are the details of my Canadian purchased XA.
XA251103 ( can)
motor: single
base: grained walnut finish
headshell: gray
plinth top: textured brown
plinth bottom: black
base bottom: corrugated cardboard
Address: 24 Thorndike st. Cambridge Mass. 02141
warranty: ?

 

[Redd House]

I can share that my XB was bought brand new on 4-28-77 from Speakerlab in Seattle.
Serial number XB46066.
Hayden single motor flush with top plate.
Vinyl veneer over particle board plinth.
$155
$8.37 tax
$163.37 total

 

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

Here's info on my XB, bought brand new on 12-20-75 (Shipped 8-4-75) from Harvey Sound in Manhattan NY

Serial: XB034606
Walnut grained finish
Shipped to dealer: August 4, 1975
Sale date: December 20, 1975

Retail Price: $145
Holiday Discount: $15
Price before sales tax: $130
Sales Tax: $10.40
Price after sales tax: $140.40

 

[twoodward]

This has been a terrific thread for a newbie. Does it look like the screw mount was placed directly over the year here? I am in the middle of some restoration efforts. The AR forums here have been great.

 

[eiraved]

I was fortunate enough to recently stumble into an AR turntable during an online auction. There was a photo of several electronic items bundled together. At the end of the bundle, partially obscured, was a turntable which had no label and a beat up cover. I decided to take a chance on the bundle and hoped no one else would. Needless to say I had the highest bid which isn't saying much at $20, LOL! Anyway, I can now say I'm the proud owner of an AR turntable!

S/N: TX 17681
Motor: two motors
Base: solid oiled walnut
Headshell: none
Plinth top: smooth gray
Plinth bottom: smooth gray
Base cover: slotted vents
4 bolt base
Address: 24 Thorndike Street, Cambridge 41, Mass.
Warranty: 1 year

 

[Hose53]

I was fortunate enough to stumble into an AR turntable during an online auction. There was a photo of several electronic items bundled together. At the end of the bundle, partially obscured, was a turntable which had no label and a beat up cover. I decided to take a chance on the bundle and hoped no one else would. Needless to say I had the highest bid which isn't saying much at $20, LOL! Anyway, I can now say I'm the proud owner of an AR turntable!

S/N: TX 17681
Motor: two motors
Base: solid oiled walnut
Headshell: none
Plinth top: smooth dark gray
Plinth bottom: dark gray
Base cover: slotted vents
4 bolt base
Address: 24 Thorndike Street, Cambridge 41, Mass.
Warranty: 1 year

Very nice!

 

[Boston Tom]

pretty sure mine is an early model pre XA.
both spindle and arm pivot were locked up solid. Took some force to get the arm pivot out
but after some cleaning and a polish on both. They are moving freely. In the middle of re-wiring the arm
And might need some new suspension parts. Looking forward to giving a listen.
One question should the arm pivot move freely up and down? Mine is a bit tight. More polishing of the brass and plastic it’s in.
Cheers
BT

S/N: TT 09537
Motor: two motors
Base: solid oiled walnut
Headshell: grey
Plinth top: smooth gray
Plinth bottom: smooth gray
Base cover: slotted vents
4 bolt base
Address: 24 Thorndike Street, Cambridge 41, Mass.
Warranty: 1 year

 

[sfrost]

I would look to upgrade the subchassis to a newer cast aluminum one, the stamped steel one you have will always be troublesome

 

[Boston Tom]

I would look to upgrade the subchassis to a newer cast aluminum one, the stamped steel one you have will always be troublesome

Been looking for one but don’t want to put too much into it. It’s a nice table and currently after some cleaning is maintaining a nearly on the $$ 33-1/3 speed.
Thanks

 

[Kevin55]

I acquired my AR-XA from a repair shop in Sacramento, CA around February, 2016.

S/N: XA 72001
Motor: single
Base: oiled walnut
Headshell: grey
Plinth top: smooth brown
Plinth bottom: smooth brown
Base cover: slotted vents
6-bolt base
Address: 24 Thorndike Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02141
Warranty: unknown. Page/card had been removed