Acoustic Reearch The Turntable.upgrades and resto

[Colin2040]

Having owned one before and always regretted parting with it……
Well I got the opportunity to pack one up at a reasonable price and nearby where I work.
So it’s destined for my second system and was looking for some of the knowledge that’s out there. I have done a bit of research but thought it would be good to get some opinions from the forum. And apologies if this should 31504

So my initial questions are,

It’s in very good shape, I used a repair shop technique and used a cotton bud and saliva to see how clean the wood veneer is. It does go a shade lighter so thought a clean then a refinish. So suggestions for a light clean and an oil? Or light wax.

The pulley wheel is very loose , I know under tension it will work, it’s slightly slow but thought about using Loctite and /or a new polycarbonate wheel

Will polish platter and sub platter or just a light clean of sub platter.

Arm is a linn basic and in good condition although arm clip is broken but likely to change going forward.

That’s all for now as I haven’t had chance to remove bottom and check motor but runs silent and platter spins freely. Thrust bearing looks clean and is present and spindle bearing is clean and shiny.

So any input ideas would be appreciated

Colin

[Lawrence001]

For a second I thought it would be that really old one that the TD150 was based on, but this is later. Was the early one called the AR1 or something like that?

[Colin2040]

I think that is the AR XA.

[Pigmy Pony]

AR XA turntable.

https://vintagehifinut.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/XA_M1.jpg

My mate had one back in the 80s, and it was pretty old then. Sounded great iirc, great bass. Iknow he will have paid pennies for it, but eventually decided to go 'modern' with a ProJect Debut (which was shit by comparison).

I think the tonearm was unipivot, but I may be misremebering. I wonder what he did with it? I'll ask him when I see him next week.

[Macca]

I seem to recall that these decks were made by Systemdek for Audionote, but I could be mistaken.

[Colin2040]

The AX has a pretty good reputation and I think it is a unipivot. But still quite common with spares and upgrades available

[Pigmy Pony]

I seem to recall that these decks were made by Systemdek for Audionote, but I could be mistaken.

I think the AR XA was in production from about 1961 to 1973, predates Systemdek by about 20 years.

My interest in this t/t has been piqued now, I'm really curious to know what happened to my mate's one.

[Macca]

I think the AR XA was in production from about 1961 to 1973, predates Systemdek by about 20 years.

I should read the thread properly thought this was an Audionote turntable not an AR :doh:

[Pigmy Pony]

https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=129870

[Colin2040]

If it was an Audionote it would have had another zero on the end of the price.
I think the ES 1, and the Legend as well as this one are really good turntables when in fine fettle. Which isn’t difficult . So after a clean , light clean as it’s been well looked after, I will source some new springs,belt and source a future arm. Hopefully the pulley wheel can be sorted with some Loctite. May source the polycarbonate pulley wheel.

But I would be interested in any views on the forum

[Colin2040]

Tonearm suggestions as well

[Colin2040]

Ok could do with some thoughts from the forum. The motor runs silent, little vibration and appears to be well looked after. The pulley wheel is way too loose . My thoughts are some blue Loctite or possibly a replacement poly carbonate wheel . I need to ask supplier re diameter of bore/ centre hole as I may still have an issue. Any other thoughts?

[Colin2040]

Looking for some advice. Looking to change the capacitor on the TT it’s rated at 0.82uf don’t see anything else marked on it ,make I think is KMP found the following which I believe is ok , Solen 0.82uF 630V DC Polypropylene Capacitor
I cannot clearly see the the details on the other capacitor so if anyone knows that would be great.