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I just have to follow the instructions for tightening the spindle and then backing it off periodically, and exercise it a bit if I let it sit for more than a few days between uses and it's fine. Yes, the tone arm pivot can hang due to the delrin bearing. I have a Grado Black cartridge on the table, and have not noticed any appreciable hum even with the amp turned to volumes that would damage my speakers if there was any signal coming from the table (I used headphones to check for hum).
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I don't know if it should be considered a "TA," as it does not have an offical model name below the "AR Turntable" on the label in the area where the XA says "Model XA." The serial number is "TT-20404."
Sme tonearm serial numbers mods#
Merrill does have numerous mods for a price, available. The Audio Amatuer magazine published a few mods. There have been a number of modifications done to the AR turntables. What the AR turntable did offer was, low cost to the masses, reliable, quiet, simple operation, tonearm included, accessories included, no acoustic feedback and outstandingly fine warantee, including shipping, parts, and labour for 3 years (initally one year). Myself, if I had been asked for feedback, I would have suggested a larger finger hold, it is a lttle too small for my fingers and slightly higher. Other than that, there was always the criticism about the tonearm hanging up, no anti-skating, no cue control and could not track a low as Shure SME or Decca arms. This may or may not have been using only the AR-TA dual motor version. The only conflict that stands out in my memory was the commentary of hum created or induced by a particular Grado cartridge, an early version only. If for some reason, you need to add more weight to the headshell, glueing a penny to the underside of the cartridge headshell works best, it is non-magnetic. The cable and arm total capacitance is 135 pf and if required, make-up capacitors can be added underboard to increase this to match a particular cartridge, for extreme accuracy. Tighten them too much and the arm will hang-up. The tonearm pivots on 2 very small conical bearing screws and should be very carefully adjusted to just stop it's floppy side to side wobble. The tonearm has a dampening device, built-in, to slow desent of the tonearm, if it should be dropped. I have not read anything to the contrary, DO NOT OIL THE MOTOR.
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If you have cleaned out the bearing hole and platter shaft, with a lint free cloth, add about 8 - 10 drops of 10 weight motor oil to the well before, re-seating the platter.īe certain not to get any oil on the belt or pullies. You can use a light and see if the white flat nylon disk bearing (1092) is still sitting on the bottom of the well. This is also true with the tone arm spindle. If you remove the main platter, use caution, there is a ball bearing (996) which usually sticks to the bottom of the main spindle.
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The correct size is important, if it is too tight, the bearings will wear and if too loose, there will be belt slippage.Ī sprinkle of Talc powder on it once a year, will help. There is only the one size, at least for the AR-XA model, I do not have that length at this time, and they only cost around $5.00 each. You will of course need to remove the masonite base cover (1186) to see which model of motor it has.įor some accepted, at least by AR, but clearly unexplained reason, when the power cord is plugged in, but the power switch is off, there is a very slight vibration from the motor.įor the AR-XA models, the drive belt (978) stretches and deteriorates in time but a suitable replacement can be purchased from any supplier that stocks tape deck belts. They used both Philips and Haydon (1159) drive motors, the Haydon was considered the better of the two by AR. The AR-XA 1962 - 1973, 2 speed turntable, was by far the most popular and widely sold model. The AR-TA, 1962, single speed, was the first one produced, 2 motors, 2 belts, solid walnut base, nickel finished aluminum arm and steel T-beam. Unless mentioned otherwise, I am referring to the AR-XA specifically here, but it may also refer to other models, such as the, AR-XB as well. It would be interesting to see how many members here have one or more AR turntables, of differing models even, both in storage or in use.ĪR produced over 350,000 AR turntables during it's lifetime, from 1961 - about 1973.