New AR XA MOD project

[Wire Nut]

Hi guys, I got an XA in good shape with box and packing. I intend to put a Rega RB 300 on it.
I started the project yesterday by working on the base. I added some plywood chunks to the inside and then painted it with anti-vibration paint. I ordered some rosewood that I am going to apply to the outside of the base- should be beautiful!
This photo shows the gluing of the plywood to the inside:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16473

This photo shows all six pieces of plywood glued in and painted:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16474

Note that only the very top of the frame is stained, that is because the 1/4" rosewood will be mounted a little lower so the top can still fit on. Also because the rosewood will hang down an extra 3/8" it will make a comfy place to put the 3/4" MDF bottom!

I was looking at the T-bar to try to figure out how to saw the old arm mount off, what kind of saws are guys using for that? I got a scroll saw for this project but it will not work on the end as the arm mount is too high to fit under the saw arm.

[Wire Nut]

Well, I got the bottom of the platter done.
Here is a photo of the coat of AVM (Anti Vibration Magic):

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16476

Here is a photo showing the final, one coat AVM, one coat rubberized undercoat, one coat Quiet Kote. All were applied with a brush so the layers would be thin and even:

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16477

I am pretty excited about this project as I have met another Mad Modder named Francis. He is a Jedi Master at upgrading turntables and has offered many good suggestions. He even sold me a Merrill motor with a stainless shank.

[Wire Nut]

Here are most of the parts I am going to use in this project:
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16478

There is the RB300 arm that had the fingerlift taken off, the guy I bought it from made a nice add on lift.
The RB300 will be rewired with Cardas litz with Cardas silver, rhodium tabs. The black striped wire is for arm grounding.

There are the nylon washers & wing nuts for under the springs- along with some 100% wool felt squares to absorb motor vibration, donated by my friend Francis. There is a new stronger spring to go under the tonearm also donated by Francis. The middle of the mounting posts have also been treated with AVM and Quiet Kote.

The Eichmann silver bullets, the 7 9's and gold alloy wire are to make new interconnects to go from the back of the AR to my phono preamp.

The Vampire female RCA's and ground post will go in the back of the TT.

The Sprague gum drop is waiting for a smaller friend to replace the old stock capacitors

There are several sheets of aircraft aluminum to make the new arm mount.

Now I am waiting for the rosewood to cover the outside of the turntable.

[Wire Nut]

Tweaks: Here are a couple of tweaks I will be adding to this project. Of course I got a Herbies mat, they really work and are very reasonable.
I snagged a set of Arious Classic feet on Ebay. I have not tried these, but have read really good things about them!
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/album ... c_id=16479

[Wire Nut]

Does anyone know if the Vinyl Engine stopped imbedding photos in posts? Every photo I uploaded & then added the URL showed up as a link.
I think it is easier to just look at the photos when you are reading the post.
If I am doing something wrong, please let me know.
Thanks!

[Wire Nut]

I found a great site that has an old reprint of "AudioFile" that gives in depth instructions on how to get the spindle well off: http://www.vinylnirvana.com/gallery/AR_ ... bf79ac0d2d
I will use this advice to remove that stuff.

[Alec124c41]

Does anyone know if the Vinyl Engine stopped imbedding photos in posts? Every photo I uploaded & then added the URL showed up as a link.
I think it is easier to just look at the photos when you are reading the post.
If I am doing something wrong, please let me know.
Thanks!

Check the FAQ link.

Cheers,
Alec

[Wire Nut]

Alec, thanks for the good info... you helped me with a Dual project in the past.

I got my Rosewood from Rockler- it seems you need to scroll down to the bottom of the order page to let them know you want your wood pieces to match... something I was not aware of. Anyway no harm, no foul as they are sending a pices to match the lighter of the two. I have to wait for some special epoxy for oily wood to arrive anyway.

From now on the photos will be posted to the post, sorry for any inconvenience.

[Wire Nut]

I have seen that most guys make the spacer that goes on the T-Bar under the plinth use plastic, I went a different way and am using walnut. The nice thing about it is that I can sand it down and refinish it if it is too high. Here is a photo of it next to the Origin Live VTA adjuster; which fits in snugly.

[panman]

Wirenut goin' off!!! looks like a real cool project and awesome ideas.
great to see a guy postin' pics and keeping the forum interesting!

[Wire Nut]

Guys, I cut the T-Bar & originally did it like some of the others with a "C" shaped slot; I quickly saw that I would not be able to use the bottom nut on the Rega. So I cut the end off.
Question: is it prefable to mount the new alum plate on top or on the bottom... that is to say colsest to the plinth, or on the underside where the springs go?
Thanks

[Wire Nut]

Panman, thanks for the encouraging words- they are much appreciated!

[Wire Nut]

I got the T-Bar done, I put Quiet Kote on the bottom side & 100% wool felt on the top side. I also added a piece of sorbothane to the center section of the top side- this is what it looks like:


I put it together with "ARTIC SILVER" which is a conductive epoxy for computers- now I have no screws to vibrate loose, it is very conductive, and it has a very powerful joint.

[Wire Nut]

Today I made arrangements for the Furutech IEC, the ground, and the Vampire RCA's. I chisled out a piece of the back of the base & cut a piece of aluminum to fit. I painted it and glued it into place. I will drill matching holes in the rosewood and bevel them for easy access: