Gear Spotlight - The AR Turntable
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- BG-137 - Re-uploaded to fix copyright issue with song I used. A review and close up look at The AR Turntable and what makes them so wonderful. We discuss the history, specs, possible mods, etc. A look at the Linn Basik Plus tonearm as well as some Mogami Neglex speaker cables.
Thanks for showing this, good to see what's inside
I still have mine, w the Linn Basik + arm and tonearm plate (black). It still looks in great shape too. Thanks for the informative video.
Both your repair and gear review videos are the best I've seen on CZcams. Keep up the great work and have a happy 2018!
I still have the (official) AR turntable in walnut, bought second hand in 1986, now fitted with an ortofon cartridge. Very nice.
Which Ortofon? I'm in th process of recon-ing my AR (1985) with a Linn Basik tonearm and I've been meaning to replace that (Audio Technica) cartridge ever since I got it, but... I'm considering th Ortofon Red or an AT VM 530. Decisions...
This is a very exquisite modded Legend TT. The only question that I sometimes wonder about is why no one seems to use the underslung counterweight which the original AR XA simple tonearm used. It was one of the most brilliant ways to achieve amazing tracking it seems and it has all but been forgotten?
It's a brilliant idea but they can't be bothered to alter cosmetics in case it hurts sales.
Hi great video. I've been given an AR EB101. I noticed the motor was making a noise so I investigated and found that the transit bolt was still in and was partly unscrewed meaning the platter didn't go all the way down. Having removed this, the platter is now only just sits above the plinth (with 180gram vinyl) and when I take the arm from the holder it causes the platter to grind on plinth as the suspension tilts. Do you know how to solve this issue.
A slight correction. The original AR turntable was the TA NOT the XA. The TA used two motors: a 24-pole synchronous motor and a start up motor to get the unit running in the right direction. It was replaced by a 24-pole clock motor with an integral start-up winding in the XA which eliminated the "start-up" motor. The TA used a slightly different suspension, as well. As I recall, it was an I-beam suspension which was less effective than the "T-beam" used in the XA unit. I cannot recall another turntable which provided more value then -- or now.
I would be interested where you got that info from. It is true that the TA was first, very early 1960's. I have a very old AR turntable with two motors. As you described, one motor starts the other in the right direction. The suspension is identical, however (T shaped) to an XA model. I found two model TA's on eBay and the listers claimed that they had the T shaped suspension. They also had stickers on the bottom of the plinth that showed it was a TA. Visually, you can't tell them from an XA. Mine does not have that sticker (and no evidence that it is missing) so I am not sure whether I have a TA or an XA. As to the value of these turntables, the original selling price of the XA was around $78 which was equivalent to almost $500 today. Modern QC is generally much better in this price range so any value had to be vested in superior performance.
@Mike Hammer Mike, I had both the TA and the XA back in the day: the XA was $78 and I believe the TA was $57. But, please don't quote me on the price of the TA. That was ages ago :-)
All the TAs had two motors the all the XAs had one motor, only.
Also, there was a slight change in the suspension I believe it was in the springs, to improve its resistance to acoustic feedback especially when mounted on a wooden platform. This occurred, I believe, in the XA model.
@@radiorexandy So based on that, I have a TA model. I think one difference between the TA and XA is the composition of the T-bar. From the photos I have found, the XA's was a casting (aluminum or tin) while the TA (at least mine) is very heavy stamped steel painted grey. The casting included the sockets for the bearings while my stamped unit has some screw in Delrin sockets with steel inserts. My plinth is solid walnut, not a veneer. I have heard that XB's and perhaps some XA's were made with particle board covered in vinyl woodgrain. I find it odd that every early AR TA or XA has a sticker on the bottom identifying it as such, yet mine does not. It has, stapled to the bottom of the plinth, warranty info with the signed initials of the tester and final inspector and a strip of paper stating that if this warranty info was missing, you could not be sure the unit was new.
BTW, do you know Is is possible to get a single synchronous motor that works for the TA? Or do an XA conversion? Thanks.
No, I do not know whether or not there's a single motor replacement for the TA turntable. Interestingly, the reliability of these rather simple mechanisms was outstanding. AR started with a 2-year guarantee for them and later on extended it to 5 years, the same length of time as their speakers!
(Also, back in the day, if you called Acoustic Research, they would send you a couple of belts for free even though they were listed for a couple of bucks, as I recall. A great classic turntable and great customer service, as well!)
I am a Canadian . Sure waiting to buy on of these AR turntables
Hi I have the ar the turntable excellent condition but the motor gone it’s very hard to try find a replacement as I live in the uk so it’s sitting in it box for a few years now from what I know it a 9 watt motor 1984 model any help would be appreciated
I had the original version back in the early 80s. I didn't get all the hoopla at he time. I bought it used for something like 75$ w/Pickeing if I recall. Very simplistic, I guess the hoopla was the precision of it. But I would have preferred an Empire TT. I traded it for a Thorens, something like a TD150. I liked that more than the AR.
I came to conclusion that Thorens can only beat better Thorens. They are truly champions.
Do you know where I can get an original tonearm,thanks in advance
Had an xb 70s stolen from me as my apt. was burning down in a complex fire in "76. Purchased A rescue recently and the Hayden motor wont stop when turned off with new switch or old, is this a capacitor Problem in the wiring?
Thank you for this Excellent video i had one in the mid 80's but had to sell it as i was buying a new house and needed the money and i was always intending to get another one but i bought a Thorens TD166 Mk II instead, but about 5 years ago i managed to get another AR Legend with a Lin Basik LVX V for a bargain £200 as i live in the UK but the suspension needed setting up and i never got round to doing it and put it away, but i am going to set it up now after watching this video Thank you for giving me the inspiration to finally get it sorted
sorry to be offtopic but does someone know a way to log back into an instagram account??
I somehow lost the login password. I would love any tips you can give me!
@Jeffery Bronson Instablaster =)
@Maddox Drew i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process now.
Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Maddox Drew It worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thank you so much, you saved my account :D
@Jeffery Bronson you are welcome =)
@Blueglow Electronics I have the '84 The AR Turntable and wondering about the electronics under the cardboard cover. Anything there that might need replacing?
Two caps, thats it.
If I could narrow down to just two mods for these (I bought mine new in '84) it would be get a newer design motor and install a three-prong cord. Also, ditch the felt record mat. I just need to find a replacement for my Pro arm.
The original as shown in your top photo was on the market in the early 70s. I owned two at one time between 72 and 76.
Hi All, I have brought my AR Turntable out to use in 2020, having let it sleep since the late 1980s. I got a new belt from a local shop (it's not texture ribbed on the inner surface like the original belt but is 4mm and speed seems to be ok although it likes to ride up the motor pulley and fall off). When it works, the sound of the system is really nice but after a day or two, there is a bumping sound once a second. I don't know whether the sub-chassis suspension height is off or the pulley height is off or..... Happy to hear any tips.
I have the AR XA TURNTABLE and disagree about the floating suspension. Kids can not be jumping in the room, I can't even approach mine when a record is being played without the record skipping, my music stand is a little wobbly, but I would have thought the suspension would overcome this. I have looked at the innards and can't understand what's wrong. Any ideas?
Your stand is the problem.
The suspension was not designed to handle mini earthquakes.
So get a more stable stand or if you have loose floorboards try a shelf.
Failing that, put a lock on your door or get some chairs for the kids.
Is there a varable resistor you could get that could control 0 to 130 volts ac-Kinda like one you put in an amp to adjust bias? thanks for any help.
A variable resistor won't do a thing for the speed. As, the air turntable uses a synchronous motor which is keyed to the frequency of the power source -- not its voltage.
FWIW, if you modify an AR XA in any way, you are downgrading its performance, not up-grading it. ;) That "cheap looking arm" will out-perform pretty much anything around. - including the ones that folks typically install to replace it. There is a lot more to that arm design than its appearance indicates. ;)
Same as my toren TD
Please point me in the right direction. Need turntable cover hinges for AR The Turntable. Much appreciated.
I need one as well, did you find any? I’d love a new Perspex cover too
In case you are interested there is a AR XB on Craig's List in Houston.
When you talk about particular board, you're talking about chipboard? Particle board in the UK can refer to MDF which is a better material for the plinths. I would never use any heavyweight on a turntable like this it will cause bearing wear and shim damage, use a light clamp like a Michelle clamp is fine.
Instead of adding a third hinge why can't you put an extra whined on the springs? This should do the same effect.
Did we have MDF in 1982? It’s chipboard when you look at ti
I’m picking up one of these turntables this week. No mods done to her ( yet ). If you want a test table to do the mods on a unmolested table. Let me know. I’ll let you use mine so you can make a update video about this table
Thank you for your video, it's very helpful.
What tone arm are you using? is it Linn Basic LV X tone arm?
What is the tone arm cable are you using? All the best!
No, a Linn Basik Plus arm.
Hi there I have been told by my repair turntable shop my Thoren’s TD-160 sounds better than AR tables
Mod recipes:
Replace everything except plinth
You care a lot about that turntable.
15:20 WTF? No, no and no!!