AR-XB Tonearm upgrade?

steven0356 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 10:49 pm Post subject: AR-XB Tonearm upgrade?

I just picked up a AR XB turntable. It's going to need a new cartridge, so i guess this is a good time to think about upgrading the tonearm. would a budget tonearm be a substantial up grade to the stock arm? It looks like you can pick up a Shure-SME 3009 for a reasonable price at times

thanks

Steve

solex · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

Try the stock arm there are a few tweaks you can search for on this forum (like defeating the descent bearing).

I was quite surprised at how good my XA sounded with the AT440MLa...

steven0356 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

hey thanks I will do a search for it

Do you what the difference between the AX and XB

Alec124c41 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 12:12 am Post subject:

There is a minor difference in size, and the XB has the arm lift and a better arm rest. That is what I see.

Cheers,
Alec

gkimeng · contributor Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 342

tubes4life · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve,

I recently "upgraded" my XA's stock tone arm to a Decca International. I'm very happy with the result. The Decca is similar in weight as the original AR arm. So you can keep the original set of springs. SME is a little heavy for the AR TT, however, it's been done with success by some DIYers. I personally don't think SME is suitable since it's too fancy in appearance for the clean and simple look of AR. But it's my personal sense of aesthetics.

For the Decca International, I had to enlarge the hole a bit on the AR plinth. and I sawed off the original tone arm well and bored a hole just large enough to allow the shaft of the Decca to go through. The mounting ring of the Decca arm was screwed to the top of the T bar.

Decca Arm is light enough to float freely on top of the AR plinth causing no strain whatsoever to the original springs. The arm and the plinth look well together but they perform even better. I took the combination to our local hifi club meeting. People couldn't believe the sound they heard from this little turntable that could.

I don't know whether you will have to sacrifice the use of the tone arm lift on your XB. You may find a way to use it. Maybe some members can share their experience with you.

I'll post some pics if you're interested.

Good luck,
Andy