RE: AR XA

RE: AR XA

Posted by M3 lover (A) on February 12, 2021 at 11:44:55

In Reply to: AR XA Cartridge recommendation posted by 6bq5 on February 11, 2021 at 09:27:40:

Nice find 6bq5.

I bought one AR XA new, a couple used, and restored a couple others for friends. In addition to general clean up, new mat and belt, there are a few other easy restorations. There are plastic bearing discs for the spindle and tone arm shafts which should be replaced. And of course clean and new lube. The tone arm had a damping pin which AR provided instructions for removal. That is near the vertical pivot for the arm and should be easy to remove. For parts and advice see the link below.

Regarding cartridges, with that arm many high compliance models can work. Most popular when new were Shure, Empire, and Pickering. One of the Shure V-15 with a SAS stylus should be really nice.

Lots of folks recommend changing the arm. Other than the frailty of the plastic headshell (replacements are available, if not cheap) I don't think the original arm is so bad, once the damper pin is removed. As recently as 5 years ago I restored an AR XA and was pleasantly surprised by how musically satisfying it was.

Lastly, there was a post here maybe five or six months ago offering a critique of the whole AR design. Quite worthwhile if you are interested in learning more.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

https://vinylnirvana.com (Open in New Window)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - AR XA Cartridge recommendation - 6bq5 09:27:40 02/11/21 (8)

RE: AR XA - M3 lover 11:44:55 02/12/21 (4)

RE: AR XA - 6bq5 13:04:55 02/12/21 (3)

Here's a link for overhang adjust. - alaskahiatt 15:06:43 02/12/21 (1)

Pat's Audio makes a reproduction of the original overhang tool. - ghost of olddude55 05:08:44 02/13/21 (0)

Regarding overhang - M3 lover 13:59:44 02/12/21 (0)

RE: AR XA Cartridge recommendation - geoff 16:59:51 02/11/21 (0)

I've got a Shure V15 Type II Improved on mine. - ghost of olddude55 09:54:21 02/11/21 (1)

RE: I've got a Shure V15 Type II Improved on mine. - 6bq5 16:17:51 02/11/21 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: AR XA - M3 lover 11:44:55 02/12/21 (4)

RE: AR XA - 6bq5 13:04:55 02/12/21 (3)

Here's a link for overhang adjust. - alaskahiatt 15:06:43 02/12/21 (1)

Pat's Audio makes a reproduction of the original overhang tool. - ghost of olddude55 05:08:44 02/13/21 (0)

Regarding overhang - M3 lover 13:59:44 02/12/21 (0)

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