Cartridges, styli, and confusion

[derspankster]

Looking good. The only thing I would do differently (and I did) would be to swap the positions of the left and right RCA jacks so that the right channel would be on the right when viewed from the front of the turntable. I found that better for me.

Not a big thing if you prefer it the other way around.

der

[andrew678122]

I was wondering if I should do it that way since right would always be on the right when standing in front of it, but then I decided simpler was best for me, and kept red on the right when looking at the jacks...

[derspankster]

Since you're doing away with the original hard wired RCA cables be advised that the original cable had a turntable ground wired to the left base ground that plugs into your phono preamp. When you rewire from your arm to your new jacks you should sum all your grounds to reduce the chances for a ground loop and hum.

My ARXA that I'm using was bought new by me in 1969 and still going strong. It's been modified a bit now but I believe it will last me the rest of my life. I'm 72.

der

[andrew678122]

Since you're doing away with the original hard wired RCA cables be advised that the original cable had a turntable ground wired to the left base ground that plugs into your phono preamp. When you rewire from your arm to your new jacks you should sum all your grounds to reduce the chances for a ground loop and hum.

My ARXA that I'm using was bought new by me in 1969 and still going strong. It's been modified a bit now but I believe it will last me the rest of my life. I'm 72.

der

It's a damn shame they didn't continue making them — I tend to buy things and keep them forever too. I noticed the extra ground wire to the left channel RCA plug, I'll make sure I get it grounded correctly. I'll be 75 in a few months.

[lenjack]

I'll be 77, and I got mine when I was 20. I miss it, and am seriously considering picking one up, and restoring it

[andrew678122]

I'll be 77, and I got mine when I was 20. I miss it, and am seriously considering picking one up, and restoring it

When I was a lad I had a not-very-good Gerard changer — this AR XA I just bought is my first, but my best friend had one and I always liked it. It was elegant in an understated way, simple, walnut base, heavy aluminum platter, not knowing one end of a tone arm from the other I was impressed. But even if I had bought one back then I wouldn't have kept it, I moved around too much. It's better I got one now...

[Gravitar8]

Please define "not very good Gerrard changer". The Type A MK2 changer and Zero100SB I am restoring have their quirks but they anything but 'not very good'.

I'll be 77, and I got mine when I was 20. I miss it, and am seriously considering picking one up, and restoring it

When I was a lad I had a not-very-good Gerard changer — this AR XA I just bought is my first, but my best friend had one and I always liked it. It was elegant in an understated way, simple, walnut base, heavy aluminum platter, not knowing one end of a tone arm from the other I was impressed. But even if I had bought one back then I wouldn't have kept it, I moved around too much. It's better I got one now...

[andrew678122]

Please define "not very good Gerrard changer". The Type A MK2 changer and Zero100SB I am restoring have their quirks but they anything but 'not very good'.
...

The only thing I remember about it that was positive was that it was cheap, I can't remember anything else about it. To me used to listening to AM radios, it, a Heathkit amp, and a couple of Sansui speakers, it sounded ok. As far as I was concerned the main advantage was being able to put a record on the spindle set the lever to play and the Gerrard handled everything from there...

[derspankster]

On another note. If you have the need for a replacement head shell I have a couple that I no longer have a use for. They're both aftermarket replicas but I believe they're in good working order. PM me if have the need. I may have some other odds and ends laying about but not sure what I do have.

[andrew678122]

As I have been rebuilding my AR XA I've noticed that the motor seems to be powered whether the switch is on or off. When the switch is on the motor runs as it should, but when it's off the motor seems to shake, it doesn't rotate the turntable but it's definitely doing something. Has anyone else noticed this?

[derspankster]

As I have been rebuilding my AR XA I've noticed that the motor seems to be powered whether the switch is on or off. When the switch is on the motor runs as it should, but when it's off the motor seems to shake, it doesn't rotate the turntable but it's definitely doing something. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes. It is normal.

[spensar]

RCA jacks exterior:

That's the way to go if you need to repair the RCA wires. I have had that done on 1 table and more are going to get that treatment. Cleaner and easier to swap out and avoids wires getting damaged and pulling on connections. The way to go IMHO.

[andrew678122]

And this is what I'm using for the power connector:

I am going to replace the 2 screws with black countersunk screws. The AR XA originally had a 2 wire non-polarized power cable, this is a socket for that kind of cable. I'll keep the wiring as original and make sure there is no path between either power lead and audio signal ground.

And a picture of the base as it is now:

I think I might need a new motor, sometimes when it starts up it's running backwards...

[andrew678122]

As I have been rebuilding my AR XA I've noticed that the motor seems to be powered whether the switch is on or off. When the switch is on the motor runs as it should, but when it's off the motor seems to shake, it doesn't rotate the turntable but it's definitely doing something. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes. It is normal.

I'm thinking about replacing the power switch with a DPST and run both power wires through it, that way both power leads will be cut when it is off, off will really be off.

[derspankster]

When I was refurbing my XA, I replaced the old slide switch with a DPST but just used one side so it worked like the original. I couldn't seem to find a SPST locally. I assumed there was a reason for the original wiring schema.