AR XA

[WESTLOWER]

Anyone else on here using an AR XA turntable???
I only ask as I’ve been blown away with this simple TT
wanted to find out if any modifications were doable
(i understand a chap in the UK used to "take them to another level", alas he has passed)

An incredible TT at any price point.


https://i.imgur.com/PucXnJJ.jpg

[Jac Hawk]

Yep the AR XA was ground zero for sprung chassis turntables, it was very cheap and simple but importantly was very well engineered, the arm didn't have a lift and again was incredibly simple, its only flaw was that you couldn't easily use other arms with it, it was designed as a package and you embraced that or looked for something else.

[Wakefield Turntables]

These are great decks. I've worked on a couple and loved every minute.

[Lawrence001]

Did you outbid me on this a couple of weeks ago on eBay?? Always wanted to try one and it looked in good shape.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[WESTLOWER]

Did you outbid me on this a couple of weeks ago on eBay?? Always wanted to try one and it looked in good shape.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

Hi law no
This ones been under the bed for a while

[Lawrence001]

Nice thing to have under the bed [emoji16]

They just look so minimalist and "current" that I'd excuse any shortfall in performance to a basic modern suspended TT to have one on the rack.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[WESTLOWER]

Why do you assume a shortfall in performance over a modern TT..?
Not at all!!! Thats the point!

In fact i would firmly claim the opposite. It's an amazing sounding TT

[Barry]

https://i.imgur.com/PucXnJJ.jpg

One of Edgar Villchur's many good ideas! :) Spawned loads of copies: the Thorens TD150, the Ariston, amongst others and of course the infamous Linn.

(PS Adam, what is the armboard of your TD124/II made of?)

[Lawrence001]

Why do you assume a shortfall in performance over a modern TT..?
Not at all!!! Thats the point!

In fact i would firmly claim the opposite. It's an amazing sounding TTAh but I think you're looking to upgrade the arm, whereas I'm saying I'd keep it as it is, on looks alone if nothing else.

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[WESTLOWER]

Oh I see, well the arm will essentially look the same except I'm hoping to put a Techi tube on that will allow universal
sme type fitting. Also now i have found a huge amount of info the (sadly departed) Marc Morin mods for both arm and TT
Interesting thread on this subject here

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/another-ar-xa-turntable-rebuild-my-first-and-need-advice.785975/

i will possibly, if i can be arsed and money allows, like to rewire it properly and address the base of the arm stem, where i understand with some work
great improvements can be made.

[WESTLOWER]

Barry the armband was Tom's (the much missed montesque)
I believe he got them made by this chap
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arm-board-of-Stone-fur-Thorens-TD-126-for-SME-309-3009-M2-9-Model-IV-V-SIII/331898741582?hash=item4d46b4e34e:g:TB4AAOSwoudW2WV J