AR XA Turntable

[navinsinha]

About a week back, I won an auction on E bay for an old AR XA TT. The seller is in USA. Before shipping, I thought of getting it serviced/restored in US itself. I came to know about a guy Marc Morin there who specialises in restoration of AR TTs. I have arranged to get the TT dispatched to him who is working on it.
Waiting eagerly to see the restored TT at my place. Would report the performance in due course.

 

[reubensm]

IMO this is a splendid move, though a bit expensive, the Americans are the best when it comes to restoration/servicing. Congratulations on your accquisition and all the very best. However while shipping to India, please take precautions with packaging. Suggest you have the TT hand-carried.

 

[quad]

Pl see -

My AR-XA is on the way! But I need some help please - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

 

[navinsinha]

Hi Bro Reubensm, thanks a lot for your good words and the suggestion for hand carriage, but I may not be able to get it hand carried. I can only pray to God for its safe delivery and keep my fingers crossed.....

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I have two AR XA Turntables and one with original packing. I also have a AR the Turntable. These decks are designed so well and sound so amazing when properly set up. The belts have to be the correct size and the suspension should be well aligned to get the best out of them. The arm is uni-pivotal . The head shell may not fit the arm properly because of plastic neck of the head shell which tend to get unstuck while fixing to the tone arm. This appears to be the most common problem with XA.

 

[sachu888]

I have bought two TTs from overseas.Both arrived in very good conditions.It should survive if seller has packed it well.Its very simple if you follow he basic rules for packing and shipping.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[jenson]

I have bought two TTs from overseas.Both arrived in very good conditions.It should survive if seller has packed it well.Its very simple if you follow he basic rules for packing and shipping.

Regards,
Sachin

hi sachin, what the customs fee charged for your lenco...

 

[sachu888]

hi sachin, what the customs fee charged for your lenco...

No duty charged.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[navinsinha]

Kuruvila Sir,
I wrote your concerns to the person doing repairing in the US. He has responded as under:
"The arm is not uni-pivot. It has three pivot points. Two for verical movement, and a pivot ball captured in the arm post that rides on a thrust plate. The arm post sits in a bearing well sleeve.
The arm can be made to out perform an affordable uni-pivot, actually any affordable arm

Regarding the headshell, The locking nubs can get damaged, worn away, with improper installation of the headshell into the tonearm. The headshell needs to be fully seated into the arm before the locking collar is used to snug it. You'll feel the spring pressure of the pins trying to push the headshell back out. Finger tip pressure only to snug it. This isn't a wheel lug nut that gets tightened.

Belts, I have the correct size belt, I also clean and talc them, and then run them approx 8-10 hours while checking speed.

There's going to be a lot to go over on this table, give me a few days to check everything fully. I can then advise you what my thoughts are for years of trouble free use."

For me it is all Chinese, but what do say?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

All the best. AR players are very musical and they are trouble free. one of my AR XA has no arm lift and i have to keep the arm manually on the record. The speed is very very accurate when compared many other such players

 

[quad]

Congrats. Hope you are getting the 50hz pulley also from the original
seller, or the person doing the repairs.

 

[reubensm]

Belts, I have the correct size belt, I also clean and talc them

What a important point, i have often wanted to talk about talc but withheld thinking it would sound like a dumb comment. This gives me the opportunity, once when interacting with an old turntable guru (who incidentally had an AR XA turntable back in the day), he mentioned that a lot of the flat belts tended to shed rubber, especially if used in humid conditions (like that of coastal Kerala). He used to talk about cleaning and lacing with talc. Also according to him, the most deadly time for a belt was during the hot summers which came soon after a cold and damp monsoon season. The rubber shed used to be more after the rainy season. Also, belts used to absorb moisture and put pasty rubber all over the pulley and flywheel which had to be cleaned. All this resulted in speed variations, flutter, etc. Guess the quality of rubber used in belts these days has changed but this is from using the XA, back in the late 1970s, early 1980s.

 

[navinsinha]

I just received the details of work to be done on the TT. Placing below for FM's comments:
Hi Navin,

I have some photos of things that need addressed. We'll start with the normal work that needs done to all of them.
The main well needs cleaned and the old sponge material at the top of the bearing well needs removed. It hardens, crumbles into the well, and ruins the trust plate, spindle and sleeve bearing if not cleaned.



the pulley needs cleaned as it has belt material melted to it.



not pictured is the suspension, minimum that should be done is replace the lower grommets with perches, and fresh springs
Also not pictured is the motor run capacitor should be replaced.

One problem that showed up under inspection is more arm trouble. I mentioned that the arm was wired incorrectly. There also has been an attempt to repair a vertical pivot. That has ruined the arm. The following photos are of the arm (repair) and an arm in near new condition.





So, my minimum recommendation is to replace the arm and pivot assembly. Polish main spindle and arm spindle. Clean subchassis bearing wells and install new thrust plates. Clean pulley. Replace suspension grommets and install fresh springs. Replace motor run cap. New belt

Arm and pivot assembly installed $35.00
Clean subchassis, bearing wells, polish spindle $35.00
Suspension and springs $18.00
motor run cap installed $ 3.00
clean pulley $ 5.00
Belts, 1 (each) $10.00
(should have two belts, one as a spare)

Inspection and set up $25.00
-------------
$131.00

Upgrade items over and above quote.
prices adjusted for duplicate work/parts

rebuilt arm pivot assembly with sapphire V jewel bearings, $45.00
micro polished pivot pins,

Mass load, spin balance pulley $22.00
-----------------
$198.00

I have not included a price on platter mat.
it will need one.

I also offer some custom upgrades for the base, top plate, etc.

I have original solid walnut bases refinished in tung oil starting at $45.00 to $65.00
or custom made walnut bases (non original, but built to specs) starting at $85 and up depending upon grade of walnut. Top plate refinishing starts at $45.00.




Marc

 

[navinsinha]

Hi FMs
I could not upload the images sent by the repairer. I hope they are uploaded now

 

[sachu888]

Marc Morin is a member of Audiokarma and got a good reputation there.The job doesn't look too difficult though,but better to get it done from the expert.Please don't forget to ask for 50Hz pulley as Quad mentioned here.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[navinsinha]

Hi Guys,
The restorer Marc Morin is testing the TT with Shure M75 cart but that's not for sale. Can anyone suggest an alternative?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

You can try Shure 55 E or ADC XLM Mark 3 on it . Most of the Shure carts are compatible with the tone arm. Both my AR XA had head shell problem but a guy who specializes on plastics molding work did an excellent job of fixing the head shell just like the original. I want to get two belts for these as spare. Could anyone advice me where to source them from?

 

[navinsinha]

Kuruvila Sir,
Marc Morin is giving me 1 spare belt. Should I get 2 more for you?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Please do get me two belts. I misplaced one belt for my AR the turntable and even though I have similar belts but not the exact size and I am unable to use them.

 

[navinsinha]

Please do get me two belts. I misplaced one belt for my AR the turntable and even though I have similar belts but not the exact size and I am unable to use them.

Sure Sir! I would get 2 for you.