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Hello...I didn't take the advice I received here a few weeks ago about turntables (the consensus was buy a Rega used or get a Technics 12XX) - I went a different direction with a craigslist AR-XA. It came with a Ortofon FF15XE MkII cartridge. The stylus tip looks fresh (through high magnification), however, there is a blackish substance at the base of the stylus that I could not remove (melted vinyl maybe?).
Anyway, my question is - for this turntable, is this a good cartridge to buy another stylus for, or would I be better off buying something new? My budget is $100.
My system is HH Scott 222B or Marantz 2330B and KLH 17 or Dynaco A25, and I listen to jazz and a little classic rock.
Follow Ups:
My standard recommendation for general audio cleaning is Smirnoff's #21 vodka. A large bottle costs less than specialized cleaners and, if it does not work, has other uses.
I love the AR-XA turntable. Very cool 1960's style. I have 4 of them all working. The one installed in my office system has a Grado Platinum low output. The high output would likely hum. This system sounds better than my Rega Planar 3 w/RB300 tonearm and Rega Bias cartridge -- It may be the difference in the cartridges but that the difference is obvious means that a properly reconditioned AR-XA is worthy of a $300.00 cartridge. One thing I do reccomend is to change out the interconnects. With the right wire appropriate for mm/mc signal this makes a huge difference and you don't have to spend a lot on the cable. My Audio repair shop did the job for $40.00 -- money well spent! I am no good at close work like soldering. I make a mess of it. You could spend $40.00 on the wires and $60.00 on a cartridge or replacement stylus and get a lot more out if it than $100.00 on cartridge alone.Now to my main point: I have an Ortofon cartridge MSuper 20E on one of the tables and I love the sound of this cartridge, but either because of its age or original compliance specs are high, it has too soft a suspension for the medium weight AR tonearm. If the magic eraser does not help your stylus, you could try some expensive stylus cleaner and see what happens -- or order a new stylus but if the suspension is too giving it will never be the right cartridge for the medium mass tonearm.
BTW: http://www.vinylengine.com has a forum dedicated to AR tables and folks there will have lots more experience than I and reccomendations for cartridges and such. And of course, there is the Vinyl Nirvana website which I linked to below.
nt
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I am just about to start the restoration of an AR XA turntable. Mine has the headshell connection problem - broken plastic bits.
Does your turntable work okay?I may end up changing the whole tonearm.
You have much the same taste in vintage audio that I do. Nice bunch o' stuff.
Hey Pete, too bad on your headshell. Mine seems to be okay, thank goodness. I just purchased the TT last week, and because of the stylus problem, have only played a couple of LP sides -everything seems to be in order so far, though I'll want to take it apart and examine it better in the near future.
I'm curious, what type of restoration are you planning and what arms are you looking at? Are you considering any of the soundofwood items (motor, etc)?
Also, have you decided on a cartridge, or are you waiting to match to a new arm?Thanks for the compliment on the gear - I'm new to this hobby (after being obsessed with tube guitar amps for 20+ years) and I've really been enjoying the vintage aspect of it. That said, I think my next major purchase will be something from the 21st century : )
Actually, I repaired the headshell with JB Weld epoxy, but I doubt it could last. I have a Sumiko MMT arm with an incorrect weight that I will try. I'll disassemble the AR table, clean everything, add some mass to the 'box' and top plate, using birch ply. I'll add better cables and connectors. Also, refinish the wood, polish the platter sides. I try to use original parts - don't want to invest hundreds into it. I've seen some really exotic rebuildings of these turntables, but I'll keep it simpler.Much as I like vintage speakers (I have Rectilinears and used to have large Advents) I have better success with modern, efficient speakers with my vintage amps. I have heard and like Dynaco A25s, but don't own any (wish I did!)
Haven't tried a stylus yet, because of the headshell problem. Sorry I can't offer advice on that yet. I have an AT 440MLa sitting unused, so that will be a candidate.
(not sure of the exact designation), sit back and enjoy
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
couldn't go wrong with either.
Henry
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